take it seriously

USAGE SUMMARY

"take it seriously" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use this phrase when emphasizing the importance of something. For example, "If you want to be healthy, you have to take your exercise routine seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I take it seriously.

The New Yorker

Take it seriously!

Princeton University

I didn't take it seriously.

The New York Times

Those blokes take it seriously.

The New York Times - Sports

People don't take it seriously".

The New York Times

No. Take it seriously?

The Washington Post

I'll take it seriously".

The New Yorker

But take it seriously.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"People need to take it seriously.

The New York Times

I can't even take it seriously.

Independent

It's time to take it seriously.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to "take it seriously", clearly state the potential consequences of not doing so. This adds weight to your advice and provides context for the importance you're emphasizing.

Common error

Avoid using "take it seriously" without explaining why something deserves serious consideration. Provide specific reasons or potential outcomes to give your advice more impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take it seriously" functions as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to consider something with importance and gravity. Ludwig shows it is used to emphasize the need for attention and careful consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take it seriously" is a common and grammatically sound imperative used to urge careful consideration and attention. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is widely used in news, academic, and business contexts, reflecting its versatile applicability. When using this phrase, providing context and explaining potential consequences can enhance its impact. Alternatives such as "give it due consideration" or "regard it as important" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

treat it with respect

Emphasizes treating something with consideration and value, changing the focus from seriousness to respect.

regard it as important

Highlights the perceived importance of something, offering a more descriptive and less directive tone.

give it due consideration

Stresses the need for careful thought and attention, shifting the emphasis to thoughtfulness.

handle it with care

Focuses on careful management and attention to detail, suitable when something requires delicate handling.

pay close attention to it

Emphasizes attentiveness and observation, changing the focus from seriousness to observation.

consider it a priority

Elevates the importance to a level of high precedence, making it a matter of urgency.

value it highly

Highlights the worth and significance attached to something, changing the focus to valuation.

not treat it lightly

Focuses on avoiding a superficial approach, contrasting seriousness with lightness.

be mindful of it

Emphasizes awareness and consciousness, shifting the emphasis to mindfulness.

approach it earnestly

Highlights the sincerity and genuineness of the approach, changing the focus from seriousness to sincerity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "take it seriously" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you can use phrases such as "give it due consideration", "regard it as important", or "treat it with the respect it deserves".

What does it mean to "take something seriously"?

To "take something seriously" means to consider it important, to give it your full attention, and to understand the potential consequences or implications involved.

When is it appropriate to tell someone to "take it seriously"?

It's appropriate to use "take it seriously" when someone might not fully appreciate the importance of a situation, task, or advice, and when their lack of seriousness could lead to negative outcomes.

What's a less direct way to suggest someone "take it seriously"?

Instead of directly telling someone to "take it seriously", you might say something like, "It's worth considering all the angles", or "This could have significant repercussions, so let's proceed cautiously".