take ground

USAGE SUMMARY

"take ground" is not a correct or usable sentence in written English.
Instead, you could use a phrase such as "gain ground" which means to make progress in achieving something. For example, "The football team is gaining ground in the playoffs."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sports

Opinion

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Unita's guerrillas can take ground, but cannot hold it.

The New York Times

"Then it will take ground forces!" MbZ exclaimed.

The Guardian

Position players take ground balls and hit four or five hours a day.

The New York Times

War is territorial; you have to take ground -- and keep it -- to win.

The New York Times

Then they will run onto the infield dirt to take ground balls, a few yards apart.

The New York Times - Sports

British forces can take ground, but too often their Afghan allies are unable to hold it.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Bolzano calls the ground-consequence relation Abfolge (translated as "consequence" or "entailment", more recently as grounding; I shall take grounding relation and ground-consequence [Grund und Folge] relation as synonyms: Abfolge = Grund und Folge Verhältnis).

SEP

I love taking ground balls.

The New York Times - Sports

"Taking ground balls, very good.

The New York Times - Sports

Taking ground from the Taliban has often been easy.

The New York Times

He took ground balls, hit some soft-toss.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey progress or advancement, consider using "gain ground" as a grammatically sound alternative to "take ground". For example, "The company gained ground in the market share race" is preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "take ground" in formal writing or academic papers. While prevalent in news and sports, it is often considered grammatically incorrect. Opt for alternatives like "gain ground" or other contextually appropriate phrases for clearer and more professional communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take ground" functions primarily as a verb phrase used to describe the act of acquiring land, making progress, or assuming control in various contexts. Despite its frequent use, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Opinion

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "take ground" is frequently encountered, especially in news and sports contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Therefore, it is recommended to favor alternatives such as ""gain ground"", ""capture territory"", or ""seize control"" for clearer and more accurate communication, particularly in formal settings. Although prevalent in certain domains, being mindful of grammatical correctness ensures more effective and professional writing. In light of this, while the phrase is widely used, consider the grammatical implications before employing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain ground

This alternative suggests making progress or advancing, focusing on the positive outcome of acquiring something.

capture territory

This phrase specifically emphasizes the act of seizing or occupying land, often in a military context.

seize control

This alternative highlights the act of taking power or authority over something, moving beyond physical space.

assume control

This option focuses on the act of taking responsibility or authority, often in a more formal or official manner.

make headway

This phrase conveys the idea of making progress, especially in overcoming obstacles or challenges.

advance position

This alternative underlines the act of improving one's standing or strategic location, applicable in various contexts.

secure foothold

This option emphasizes establishing a stable or secure base, suggesting a strong starting point for further advancement.

establish dominance

This phrase stresses the act of gaining a superior or controlling position, highlighting power and influence.

extend influence

This alternative focuses on expanding one's reach or impact, suggesting a gradual and pervasive spread of power.

carve out a niche

This phrase refers to creating a unique position or specialty for oneself, emphasizing differentiation and expertise.

FAQs

What does "take ground" mean?

While frequently used, "take ground" generally means to capture territory, make progress, or assume a position. However, "gain ground" is a more grammatically correct alternative.

Is "take ground" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "take ground" is not considered grammatically correct. Consider using "gain ground" instead.

What are some alternatives to "take ground"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "take ground" include "gain ground", "capture territory", or "seize control".

How can I use "gain ground" instead of "take ground" in a sentence?

Instead of saying "The army will take ground tomorrow", you could say "The army will "gain ground" tomorrow".