take anything from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take anything from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of receiving or accepting something from a source or context. Example: "You shouldn't take anything from that unreliable source without verifying the information first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So don't take anything from anybody.

The New Yorker

I don't take anything from it.

Independent

We shouldn't take anything from it.

The New York Times

"Yeah?" "Don't take anything from these people".

The New Yorker

This can take anything from 5-30 minutes.

Independent

But I'd take anything from that store.

The New York Times

"She won't take anything from me".

The New York Times

It can take anything from one to three years, and calls for expert project management skills.

Renewable Energy Focus

I don't want to take anything from Zoe, either".

The New York Times - Sports

(The Republicans will pretty much take anything from anybody).

The New York Times

She won't take anything from you,' " Hazel said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where one cannot "take anything from" a source, highlight the lack of valuable information or benefit available.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse the giver and the receiver. Ensure it's clear who is not supposed to "take anything from" whom, to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take anything from" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of receiving or acquiring something, often implying an ethical or moral consideration. As evidenced by Ludwig, the context heavily influences the interpretation of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

16%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take anything from" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of receiving or acquiring something, often with underlying implications about ethics or value. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, formal communications, and general discussions. While the phrase can carry negative connotations, implying unethical behavior or unfair advantage, it can also be used neutrally to simply denote receiving something. Understanding the context is crucial for proper interpretation. When a negative connotation is not intended, safer alternatives such as "receive anything from" or "accept anything from" may be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get anything from

A more general term for obtaining something, less formal than "receive" or "obtain".

receive anything from

Emphasizes the act of getting something without specifying whether it's deserved or not.

accept anything from

Highlights the willingness to get something, implying agreement or consent.

gain anything from

Focuses on the positive outcome or benefit acquired.

derive anything from

Focuses on gaining a benefit or advantage from something.

benefit anything from

Highlights the positive effect or improvement gained.

obtain anything from

Suggests effort or a process to acquire something.

acquire anything from

Suggests ownership or possession of something obtained.

extract anything from

Implies carefully removing something from a source.

profit anything from

Specifically refers to gaining a financial or material advantage.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "take anything from" to sound more formal?

In a more formal context, you can use phrases like "receive anything from" or "obtain anything from" to convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

What does it mean to "take anything from" someone?

To "take anything from" someone generally means to receive or accept something, which could be tangible items, ideas, or advantages, often with the implication of not deserving it or acting unethically.

Is it always negative to "take anything from" someone?

While often used negatively, implying theft or undue advantage, "take anything from" can also be neutral, simply meaning to receive. The context determines whether it's positive, negative, or neutral.

What's a synonym for "take anything from" in a neutral context?

In a neutral context, consider using "accept anything from" or "receive anything from", which lack the negative connotations sometimes associated with "take anything from".