take it at face value

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take it at face value" is correct and can be used in written English.
You would use this phrase when you want to suggest that someone should accept something as true without further investigation. For example, "My professor said that I failed the test, so I'm going to take it at face value and move on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This steep decline to single-digit levels would seem to tell a heroic tale of a banking system that solved its problems, but not all analysts take it at face value.

The New York Times

Take it at face value.

The New York Times - Sports

"No.... Let's take it at face value: dying means dying".

The New York Times - Books

Should we take it at face value, as an attempt to coerce America into backing down?

The Economist

Burrows says the picture has such broad lines nobody could take it at face value.

The New Yorker

But several charities were reluctant to take it at face value.

The Economist

"We'll take it at face value at this point," Mr. Dixon said.

The New York Times

That sounds pretty pitiful, but let's take it at face value for a moment.

The New Yorker

"Since it was in The New York Times, I don't take it at face value".

The New York Times

It is easy to be outraged by the photo of the general if you take it at face value.

University of California, Berkeley

You could take it at face value as a pairing of two bona fide classics from the Second Viennese School.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take it at face value" when you want to convey that something should be accepted without deeper analysis or questioning. It's useful when discussing initial impressions or provisional acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "take it at face value" in situations where critical thinking and investigation are necessary. Blind acceptance can lead to misinterpretations or poor decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take it at face value" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that one should accept something as it appears, without deeper analysis or skepticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take it at face value" is a common idiom used to suggest accepting information or a situation without further scrutiny. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically sound and versatile, fitting into various contexts ranging from news and media to academic discussions. However, it's important to be aware of potential misinterpretations and to balance this approach with critical thinking, especially in contexts where thorough investigation is crucial. Consider alternatives like "accept it as presented" or "believe it outright" to add nuance to your writing. Remember that blindly accepting something can sometimes lead to wrong conclusions, therefore the context is what will determine the appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

see it at face value

A minor variation of the original, with 'see' instead of 'take'.

accept it as presented

Focuses on the act of receiving something without questioning its authenticity or underlying meaning.

believe it outright

Emphasizes immediate belief without any doubt or investigation.

trust it implicitly

Highlights complete faith in the information or statement.

assume it's true

Suggests a starting point of truth without concrete evidence.

swallow it whole

Implies unquestioning acceptance, often used when the information is dubious.

give credence to it

Formal way of saying you are giving something your belief or trust.

regard it as genuine

Focuses on considering something to be real or authentic.

don't question it

Directly advises against skepticism or inquiry.

presume its veracity

A formal and emphatic way of assuming something is truthful.

FAQs

How can I use "take it at face value" in a sentence?

You can use "take it at face value" to suggest accepting something as it appears initially. For example, "The company's statement seems positive, but we shouldn't "take it at face value" without further investigation."

What does it mean to "take it at face value"?

"Take it at face value" means to accept something as it appears without questioning its truthfulness or underlying meaning. It implies a lack of skepticism or critical analysis.

What's an alternative to saying "take it at face value"?

Alternatives include phrases like "accept it as presented", "believe it outright", or "trust it implicitly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to "take it at face value"?

It's appropriate to "take it at face value" when the initial information seems reliable and there's no immediate reason for doubt. However, it's essential to balance this with critical thinking, especially in important decision-making contexts.