take heart for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take heart for" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when encouraging someone to remain hopeful or courageous in a challenging situation. Example: "Even though the situation seems dire, take heart for better days are ahead."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Fans of that music, take heart: for the last 25 years it's been hard to think of him as anything other than a soft drink.

The New York Times - Arts

By winning the group, Spurs will play at White Hart Lane in the second leg of their Europa League knockout tie in February and they will take heart for the remainder of the competition after a confident display.

BBC

In a period when the industry has taken such hits in so many areas, to have such good music to celebrate on this show is a signal that music is alive and that all of us who work within, as well as millions of fans, can take heart for the future.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Charles Diebel, head of market strategy at Lloyds Banking in London, said investors had taken heart for the euro zone's prospects from Italy's new prime minister, Mario Monti, who promised tough action Thursday to restore the country's finances.

The New York Times

I think Mail Online would take heart from this pathetic excuse for a failure to credit.

The Guardian

4.46pm GMT  42 mins "I think Mansfield will take heart from Suso's performance for Liverpool.

The Guardian - Sport

The state department officials could take heart that for a half-century now, martial swagger has most often been tempered by negotiations.

The New York Times

Take heart attacks, for example.

BBC

Instead, take heart: timed for the United State of Women White House Summit led by First Lady Michelle Obama, and at her urging, 28 major companies have "signed the White House Equal Pay Pledge".

Huffington Post

As TechCrunch recently noted, and this is something to take heart in, support for the Amash amendment was by definition bipartisan, and stronger than expected.

TechCrunch

If it all sounds too grim to countenance, take heart, Amtrak riders, for help is on the way.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take heart for", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject should find hope or encouragement in. It's typically followed by the reason or circumstance that warrants optimism.

Common error

Avoid using "take heart for" when a more direct phrase like "be encouraged by" or "find hope in" would provide clearer communication. The phrase can sound awkward if not carefully constructed within the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take heart for" functions as an idiomatic expression used to encourage or reassure someone in a challenging situation. It advises the listener to find strength or hope in a particular circumstance. Ludwig AI notes it's not the most common phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take heart for" is an idiomatic phrase used to encourage hope and reassurance, as Ludwig AI has confirmed. Though grammatically sound, it's relatively rare. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, with occasional appearances in wiki and scientific sources. While the source quality is high, alternatives such as "derive hope from" or "draw encouragement from" may offer clearer communication. When using "take heart for", make sure the context provides a clear reason for optimism and is followed by the right subject. It's worth noting that Ludwig AI considers it an acceptable but infrequent phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

derive hope from

Specifically emphasizes the act of obtaining hope.

draw encouragement from

Focuses on actively gaining encouragement from something.

be encouraged by

Implies external encouragement rather than internal resolve.

find solace in

Emphasizes comfort and consolation rather than proactive encouragement.

gain strength from

Highlights the aspect of becoming stronger or more resilient.

find reassurance in

Focuses on reducing doubt and anxiety.

maintain hope in

Emphasizes a conscious effort to keep believing things will improve.

be comforted by

Suggests a passive reception of comfort.

see a positive side in

Suggests looking for the good aspects of a situation, even when things might seem difficult.

be optimistic about

Focuses on maintaining a positive outlook towards future events.

FAQs

What does "take heart for" mean?

The phrase "take heart for" encourages someone to be brave or hopeful despite facing difficulties. It suggests finding reassurance or encouragement in a particular situation or prospect.

Is "take heart for" grammatically correct?

While not as common as other similar expressions, "take heart for" is grammatically acceptable. However, "find solace in" or "derive hope from" might be more standard choices depending on context.

When is it appropriate to use "take heart for"?

Use "take heart for" when you want to suggest that someone should not lose hope because of a specific reason or circumstance. It implies there's a basis for optimism even amidst challenges.

What are some alternatives to "take heart for"?

Alternatives include "draw encouragement from", "gain strength from", or simply "be encouraged by". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.