take advantage of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take advantage of something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of using a situation or resource to gain a benefit or an advantage. Example: "She decided to take advantage of the special offer and purchased the new phone at a discounted price."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But I don't want to take advantage of something.

The Washington Post

"Frequently you regret those times when you didn't take advantage of something," Mr. Jennings said.

The New York Times

"It's a great opportunity to take advantage of something I wouldn't have someplace else".

The New York Times

More would be most helpful; but you can't take advantage of something that you don't know exists.

The Guardian - Music

Now they take advantage of something like that and they work out how to re-elect the president.

The Guardian

Why did powerful executives back then fail to take advantage of something their weaker successors have so eagerly exploited?There are simpler explanations for the executives' bonanza.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"In this case," he said, "we took advantage of something that is normally seen as bad.

Princeton University

Any way you can devise to eat it, you're taking advantage of something at its peak.

The New York Times

But it would mean you're taking advantage of something that was consciously intended for a person who isn't you.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I'm taking advantage of something I was locked out of before," said Mr. Grant, 42, president of the CTN Media Group, an advertising and publishing company in Atlanta.

The New York Times

But now a few automakers are trying to do away with those resources by taking advantage of something consumers have done for decades when buying a vehicle: signing an agreement with the dealer to use arbitration to resolve disputes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing strategic initiatives, use "take advantage of something" to highlight leveraging available resources for achieving specific goals.

Common error

Avoid using "take advantage of something" in contexts where exploitation is strongly implied; instead, opt for more neutral phrases like "utilize" or "leverage" to avoid negative connotations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take advantage of something" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of utilizing or capitalizing on a particular situation, resource, or opportunity. Ludwig provides various examples demonstrating its usage in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take advantage of something" is a versatile phrase used to express the idea of benefiting from a situation, resource, or opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral, it's important to consider the ethical implications and potential negative connotations, opting for alternatives like "utilize" or "leverage" when necessary. Understanding these nuances helps ensure effective and appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capitalize on an opportunity

Focuses specifically on opportunities, suggesting a strategic approach.

make the most of a situation

Emphasizes resourcefulness in dealing with circumstances.

exploit a resource

Implies using a resource efficiently, sometimes with a negative connotation.

leverage an asset

Suggests using an asset to gain a strategic advantage.

profit from a circumstance

Highlights the potential for gain or benefit.

draw benefit from a situation

Focuses on receiving advantages or gains.

cash in on something

Implies converting an opportunity into monetary gain.

milk something for all it's worth

Suggests extracting maximum value, potentially exhaustively.

exploit an opening

Focuses on a gap or vulnerability to gain an advantage.

seize an advantage

Highlights the act of quickly grasping an opportunity for benefit.

FAQs

How can I use "take advantage of something" in a sentence?

You can use "take advantage of something" to indicate making use of an opportunity or resource. For example, "She decided to "take advantage of something" by enrolling in the free online course."

What are some alternatives to "take advantage of something"?

Alternatives include phrases like "capitalize on an opportunity", "make the most of a situation", or "leverage an asset", depending on the context.

Is it always ethical to "take advantage of something"?

The ethics depend on the context. "Take advantage of something" can imply either fair use of resources or unfair exploitation, so consider the implications of your actions.

What's the difference between "take advantage of something" and "exploit something"?

"Take advantage of something" generally has a more neutral or positive connotation, suggesting skillful utilization. "Exploit something" often implies using something unfairly or selfishly.