take drugs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'take drugs' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used in any context where drugs are involved, for example, "People should not take drugs until they are of legal age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take drugs.

Independent

"Take drugs?" "No".

The New Yorker

Do the kids take drugs?

The New York Times

Or kick down doors, or take drugs?

Independent

But I didn't take drugs".

The New York Times - Sports

"Why can't you take drugs?

The Guardian

Do you still take drugs?

The Guardian - Film

Some take drugs, prescribed or not.

The New York Times

Yes, that's right: take drugs!

The Guardian

I don't take drugs any more.

The Guardian - Books

They are more likely to take drugs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing drug use, be specific about the type of drug and the context to avoid ambiguity and potential misinterpretations. For example, specify "take prescription drugs" or "take illegal drugs".

Common error

Avoid broad statements about drug use. Instead of saying "all teenagers take drugs", provide specific information about usage patterns based on reliable data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take drugs" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "take" is the verb and "drugs" is the direct object. It indicates the action of consuming or using drugs. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take drugs" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to describe the act of consuming or using drugs. Ludwig confirms its correctness and prevalence across various contexts. While generally neutral, its formality can shift based on the context, with more technical terms preferred in scientific or formal settings. Predominantly found in news and media, and often encountered in general discourse as well. For accurate and nuanced writing, always specify the type of drug and the context of usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do drugs

A more informal and direct way of saying "take drugs".

use narcotics

Replaces "drugs" with a more clinical term, "narcotics".

ingest substances

Offers a more formal and clinical alternative, focusing on the act of consumption.

consume controlled substances

Emphasizes the legal aspect of the substances being used.

use illegal substances

Highlights the illegality of the drug use.

experiment with drugs

Suggests a trial or exploratory use of drugs.

be on drugs

Describes the state of being affected by drugs.

abuse substances

Focuses on the harmful or excessive use of drugs.

self-medicate

Implies using drugs as a form of treatment without professional medical advice.

resort to drugs

Suggests turning to drugs as a solution to problems.

FAQs

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

You can use "take drugs" in sentences like, "It is dangerous to "take drugs" without a prescription" or "Some people "take drugs" to cope with stress".

What's a more formal way to say "take drugs"?

A more formal alternative to "take drugs" is to say "ingest substances" or "consume controlled substances", particularly in medical or legal contexts.

Is "take drugs" the same as "do drugs"?

The phrases "take drugs" and "do drugs" are largely interchangeable, though "do drugs" is considered more informal.

What are some risks associated with "experiment with drugs"?

Experimenting with drugs can lead to addiction, health problems, and legal consequences. It's important to be aware of these risks before engaging in such behavior.