take account

USAGE SUMMARY

"take account" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in the context of considering a specific factor (which has already been mentioned) in making a decision. For example, "We must take account of the weather forecast when planning our outdoor event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take account of all viewpoints".

The Guardian

"And I take account for that".

The New York Times

These take account of price differences between countries.

The Economist

Mr Arafat has to take account of that.

The Economist

"Courts are required to take account of a defendant's means.

Independent

How should one take account of quality improvements?

The Economist

They have got to take account of outside shareholders".

The New York Times

Once you take account of population growth, nothing special happened.

The New York Times

They also tackled entitlements to take account of ageing populations.

The Economist

"We didn't take account of Harriet Miers or anything else.

The New Yorker

"We take account of exchange rates as a whole.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take account", ensure the specific factor being considered is clearly identified either before or after the phrase for clarity. For example, "We must take account of the weather forecast when planning our outdoor event."

Common error

Avoid using "take account" without specifying what needs to be considered. Vague statements like "We need to take account" lack clarity. Instead, explicitly state what factor is important: "We need to take account of the budget constraints."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take account" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of considering or giving due weight to something. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take account" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that means to consider something important. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable in written English, particularly when emphasizing the need to consider specific factors when making decisions. The expression appears most commonly in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral to professional register. For alternative phrasings, consider "consider", "factor in", or "bear in mind", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. When using "take account", it is important to clearly state the element being considered to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider

Focuses on the mental process of thinking about something, without necessarily implying action based on it. Less formal.

factor in

Implies including something as a relevant element when making a calculation or decision. More specific.

bear in mind

Highlights the importance of remembering something when making plans or decisions. More informal.

take into consideration

A more formal and emphatic version of "consider", highlighting thoughtfulness.

make allowance for

Suggests adjusting plans to accommodate potential variations or difficulties. Focuses on flexibility.

give weight to

Implies assessing the importance of something in relation to other factors. More analytical.

pay attention to

Focuses on noticing or observing something, often implying vigilance. Broad in scope.

reckon with

Suggests facing or dealing with something, often something challenging. Stronger connotation.

be mindful of

Highlights awareness and attentiveness towards something, often ethical considerations. Implies caution.

account for

Explains the reason for or cause of something. This meaning can be related when explaining something in advance, however can have other meanings as well, such as explaining the whereabouts of someone.

FAQs

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

Use "take account" to indicate that something should be considered when making a decision or judgment. For example, "The new policy must take account of the needs of all employees."

What are some alternatives to "take account"?

You can use alternatives such as "consider", "factor in", or "bear in mind" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "take account of" or "take into account"?

"Take into account" is generally more common and emphasizes a more thorough consideration. "Take account of" is also correct and usable, but less frequent.

What's the difference between "account for" and "take account of"?

"Account for" can mean to explain something, while "take account of" means to consider something. They are not always interchangeable.