take an appetite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take an appetite" is not correct and not commonly used in written English.
It seems to be a misunderstanding of the expression "have an appetite," which refers to the desire to eat or a craving for food. Example: "After a long hike, I really worked up an appetite and was ready for dinner."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Take an appetite and expectations of a serious sugar rush.

The Guardian - Travel

The children then take an appetite test.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It takes an appetite for hard work, business acumen and intangible ingredients which are all too apparent if they are missing - a genuine liking for people and a desire to create a memorable experience.

The Guardian - Travel

"It takes an appetite for novelty, a taste for adventure and an ability to think outside the box".

Huffington Post

X Files fans have to wait until January when Fox shows the latest six-episode series starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, but, to whet your appetite, take a dip into the official trailer.

The Guardian

For some ideas about where you might like to go, and to whet your appetite, take a look at the Web site of Amsterdam's Municipal Department for Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings and Sites at www.bmz.amsterdam.nl.nl

The New York Times - Travel

It may take a while for their appetite to return.

WikiHow

"We may ask the CQC whether they have an appetite for taking on complaints which trusts can't close satisfactorily and then giving the final say to the ombudsman only in really tricky cases".

BBC

The FDIC reached out to a reliable list of about 500 financial institutions who usually have an appetite to take on small, troubled banks.

The Guardian - Business

A low-SES Dutch mother said: " In the weekend …Oh well, than I also take something when I have an appetite for food" and a Turkish mother said: "He just gets candy or cookies when he asks for it and I think; Yes, now it's ok".

BMC Oral Health

At the moment neither banks nor individual investors have the appetite to take a punt on an unproven idea.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the more common and grammatically sound phrase "have an appetite" when describing someone's desire to eat. For example, instead of "take an appetite to the restaurant", say "have an appetite for the restaurant's food".

Common error

Avoid using "take" with "appetite". It's not a standard collocation. The correct verb to use is usually "have". Using "take" might confuse your reader or sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take an appetite" functions unconventionally. Ludwig AI indicates it is not commonly used. It appears to be a non-idiomatic expression, potentially misinterpreted from the common phrase "have an appetite". Its grammatical function is therefore questionable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take an appetite" is not considered standard English and is flagged by Ludwig AI as uncommon and potentially incorrect. The grammatically preferred alternative is to "have an appetite". While it occasionally appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business writing, its infrequent usage and potential for misinterpretation make it advisable to use more conventional phrasing. Prioritize "have an appetite" to express the idea of feeling hungry or desiring food. Remember to consider the audience and register, opting for clearer and more widely accepted phrases in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a good appetite

Replaces "take" with the more standard verb "have" to describe possessing a strong appetite.

work up an appetite

Focuses on the action of stimulating hunger through activity.

develop an appetite

Highlights the process of gradually becoming hungry.

whet your appetite

Emphasizes stimulating desire or anticipation, not necessarily for food.

feel hungry

A simple and direct way to express the sensation of hunger.

have a craving

Indicates a strong desire for a specific food.

be ravenous

Describes an extreme state of hunger.

be ready to eat

Focuses on being prepared and willing to consume food.

desire food

Expresses a general yearning for nourishment.

look forward to a meal

Emphasizes anticipation and enjoyment of eating.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct way to express "take an appetite"?

The more common and grammatically sound alternative is to use "have an appetite". This phrasing is widely understood and considered correct.

Is "take an appetite" ever considered correct in any context?

While some instances might exist, particularly in non-native English or creative writing, "take an appetite" is generally considered non-standard. It's best to opt for more conventional phrasing like "have a good appetite".

What does it mean to "whet your appetite"?

To "whet your appetite" means to stimulate your desire or anticipation for something, often food, but it can also apply to other things. For instance, a trailer for a movie can "whet your appetite" for the film.

Which is correct, "take an appetite" or "have an appetite"?

"Have an appetite" is the correct and widely accepted phrase. "Take an appetite" is unusual and not considered standard English.