take a term

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'take a term' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time or a particular phrase. For example: She took a term to pay off her loan.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Start with this overview of a unit called All About Me, which should take a term to complete.

The Guardian

Already, she had to take a term off from Vassar, and without her diagnosis, she says, she would not be able to get the accommodations she needs to succeed when she goes back.

The New York Times

"People take a term that was a way to denigrate or hold people in bondage for the purpose of continuing their subordination and turn it around as a way to reclaim it," he said.

The New York Times

Apparently, it's quite easy to take a term that describes a group that you disagree with and reinvent its meaning to make the group you're talking to really scared of them.

Independent

Transfer Credits Students who take a term abroad or take summer courses outside of Yale may petition the DUS to count at most two courses from outside Yale toward the requirements of the major.

Yale University

The prevailing mode of much historical fiction since then has been precisely the opposite: to take a term from the Russian literary theorist Viktor ­Shklovsky, novelists have wished to "defamiliarize" history by making it unrecognizable, unknowable, fantastic, brutal.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

I took a term to make the prescribed letter rack.

The Guardian

Charlie Kaufman has taken a term of grammar that had been suffering in desuetude and put it up in metaphoric lights.

The New York Times - Magazine

I took a term off the fall of my senior year in college.

Forbes

The term inclusion technique uses algorithms to create categories by taking a term and finding other terms that include it.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

But we take a long term view in terms of strategy.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a term off" when referring to a break of studies, or a job. Ensure that the context makes it clear that it is a short absence and not a permanent one.

Common error

Avoid using "take a term" when you mean 'take a long-term view'. While related, they represent distinct concepts. Use specific terminology to prevent confusion and ensure clear communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a term" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating an action related to a defined period or concept. Ludwig examples show it used to describe pausing activity or adopting terminology. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take a term" is a versatile expression with multiple meanings, primarily relating to pausing activity for a defined period (as in academic studies) or adopting specific language. Ludwig examples reveal use cases spanning academic, news, and scientific domains, and Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to consider the context and specify the intended meaning, especially when adopting terminology. For instance, specify whether referring to a short break (a term off) or using a phrase from a discipline to explain a topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undertake a term

Replaces "take" with a more formal synonym, "undertake", suggesting a commitment to the term's activities.

begin a term

Focuses on the start or commencement of a term.

complete a term

Emphasizes the successful completion of all requirements within the term.

enroll in a course

Focuses on the action of signing up for a specific course within a term.

participate in a term

Highlights active engagement and involvement throughout the term.

spend a semester

Emphasizes the duration spent during a term, specifically a semester.

assume a term

Implies accepting or taking on responsibilities associated with a term.

embark on a term

Suggests starting a term with enthusiasm and a sense of adventure.

sit for a term

Implies attending classes or sessions during a term.

serve a term

Indicates holding a position or fulfilling duties for a specific period, a term.

FAQs

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

You can use "take a term" to describe pausing studies, as in, "She decided to "take a term" off to travel". Alternatively, it can mean to adopt a phrase, such as, "He decided to "take a term" from economics to explain his situation".

What does "take a term" mean?

The phrase "take a term" can have two meanings: to take a break from school or a job (a short absence) or to borrow or adopt a specific phrase. The context determines the intended meaning.

What can I say instead of "take a term" when referring to adopting a phrase?

Instead of "take a term", you can use phrases like "adopt a term", "borrow a term", or "incorporate a term" to indicate using a specific word or phrase.

Is it correct to say "took a term" instead of "take a term"?

Yes, "took a term" is the past tense form of "take a term" and is grammatically correct when referring to a past action or event.