take a sample

USAGE SUMMARY

"take a sample" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that a person take a small portion of something to analyze, experiment on, or just examine. For example, "Before purchasing an item, take a sample to make sure it meets your standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With a self-sampling kit, you take a sample of blood, send it to a laboratory and they send you the results.

Vice

Take a sample disclosure document.

The Economist

Take a sample 1,000 word feature.

The Guardian

Take a sample meeting from each category.

Harvard Business Review

The doctor will use a needle to take a sample of the fluid surrounding the baby.

The New York Times

Many institutions will allow prospective students to take a sample course online.

The New York Times

Everyone is allowed to take a sample of the dirt for their own miracle.

The New York Times - Travel

There is a section for 'Landlord Law', which seems a good place to take a sample.

The Guardian

Should I just remove the tree or take a sample first?

University of California, Berkeley

The experts at Nespresso take a sample from each sack to roast and taste – a final assurance of quality.

The Guardian

The department said yesterday that failing to take a sample was a mistake and that it would investigate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scientific process, use "take a sample" to indicate the removal of a representative part for analysis. For example: "The researchers will take a sample of the river water to test for pollutants."

Common error

Avoid using "take a sample" when you mean to provide an illustration or instance. Use "provide an example" or "give an instance" instead. For example, instead of saying "Take a sample of his work," say "Provide an example of his work."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a sample" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of obtaining a portion of something. It's often used in contexts where testing or analysis is required, like in medical or scientific fields. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

21%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take a sample" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that describes the action of acquiring a small portion of something for analysis or examination. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. The phrase is used across various fields, including news, academia, and science, maintaining a neutral register suitable for most situations. When choosing an alternative, consider options like "collect a specimen" or "obtain a sample" for more formal contexts. Remember to avoid confusing "sample" with "example", and use "take a sample" appropriately to refer to the act of obtaining a portion for analysis, not providing an illustration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collect a specimen

Focuses specifically on gathering a representative item for analysis.

obtain a sample

Emphasizes the act of acquiring a small portion for examination.

draw a sample

Suggests extracting a small quantity, often a liquid.

extract a specimen

Implies removing a small part from a larger whole.

acquire a specimen

Highlights the process of gaining possession of a representative item.

procure a sample

Emphasizes obtaining a sample through effort or means.

secure a specimen

Suggests ensuring the acquisition of a sample.

gather a sample

Focuses on collecting a small portion from multiple locations.

grab a sample

Implies quickly taking a small portion.

snatch a sample

Suggests taking a sample quickly and possibly without permission.

FAQs

How can I use "take a sample" in a sentence?

You can use "take a sample" to describe the action of obtaining a small portion of something for analysis or testing. For example, "The doctor will "take a sample" of your blood to check for any abnormalities."

What's a more formal way to say "take a sample"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "collect a specimen" or "obtain a sample". Both phrases convey a similar meaning but with a slightly more professional tone.

Is it correct to say "make a sample" instead of "take a sample"?

While "make a sample" might be understood, ""take a sample"" is the more idiomatic and commonly used phrase, especially in scientific or medical contexts.

What's the difference between "take a sample" and "analyze a sample"?

"Take a sample" refers to the act of acquiring the portion, while "analyze a sample" refers to the process of examining the portion to gather data or information.