take inspiration

USAGE SUMMARY

"take inspiration" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to encourage someone to be motivated or creative in their approach to a task or project. For example: "Take inspiration from your experiences and use them to push your project in a new direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We can't just take inspiration.

The New York Times

Take inspiration — it's in short supply.

The New Yorker

Joe Freeman Take inspiration from other charities.

The Guardian

I take inspiration from Germany, 1989.

The Washington Post

We should take inspiration from that victory.

The Guardian

I take inspiration from Napoleon; I am here to conquer".

Independent

We have to take inspiration from their lead".

Independent

The Downlow troupe take inspiration in their own way.

The Guardian - Music

Perhaps the Occupy LSX protesters can take inspiration from that.

The Guardian

Someone who says "I take inspiration from Napoleon.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Did you take inspiration for Concentr8 from any other novels?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take inspiration", clearly state the source of inspiration to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "Take inspiration from nature's patterns when designing your garden."

Common error

Avoid using "take inspiration" without specifying what you are taking inspiration from. Saying "I take inspiration from everything" is vague and doesn't offer meaningful insight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take inspiration" functions as a verb phrase that encourages or describes the act of deriving ideas, motivation, or creative input from a particular source. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

21%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take inspiration" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that encourages the act of seeking ideas or motivation from an external source. As validated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and informal communications. To use it effectively, be specific about the source of inspiration. Related phrases include "draw inspiration", "gain inspiration", and "be inspired by". Avoid vagueness by clearly identifying what is inspiring you.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

draw inspiration

Focuses on the act of extracting motivation from something.

gain inspiration

Emphasizes the process of acquiring a feeling of enthusiasm.

find inspiration

Highlights the act of locating or discovering a source of creativity.

be inspired by

Shifts the focus to the state of being influenced by something.

seek inspiration

Implies an active search for a motivating source.

derive motivation

Highlights the process of obtaining motivation from a source.

glean ideas

Focuses on gathering insights or concepts from something.

get ideas from

A more direct and informal way of saying that something is a source of creativity.

borrow ideas

Suggests taking ideas with the intention of using them, possibly adapting them.

emulate

Implies copying or imitating someone or something admired.

FAQs

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

You can use "take inspiration" to suggest finding motivation or ideas from something. For example: "Designers often "take inspiration" from nature."

What can I say instead of "take inspiration"?

You can use alternatives like "draw inspiration", "gain inspiration", or "be inspired by" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "take inspiration from" or "be inspired by"?

Both phrases are correct, but "take inspiration from" suggests a more active and intentional process of seeking ideas, while "be inspired by" implies a more passive influence.

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

To ""take inspiration"" from someone means to admire them and use their actions or ideas as a model for your own behavior or creative work.