take lessons from

USAGE SUMMARY

"take lessons from" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about someone learning from the experience or knowledge of another. For example: "I try to always take lessons from my mistakes and use them to improve my life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Why not take lessons from them?

The New York Times - Arts

We take lessons from life.

The New York Times - Science

Can I take lessons from her?

The New York Times - Magazine

I want to take lessons from you.

The New Yorker

"Other African leaders especially need to take lessons from Mandela.

The New York Times

People would want to take lessons from him.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe Fabio Capello could take lessons from George Osborne.

The Guardian

Private-equity firms could take lessons from their listed counterparts about being in the public eye.

The Economist

The important thing, Lardon said, is to do as Faldo did and take lessons from failure.

The New York Times - Sports

American politicians, while loth to take lessons from their northern neighbours, may have noticed.

The Economist

No one should take lessons from people who invaded Afghanistan and Iraq and bombed Libya.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take lessons from", ensure the source of the lesson is clearly identified. For example: "Businesses can "take lessons from" successful startups by studying their innovative strategies."

Common error

Avoid using "take lessons from" without specifying who or what the lessons are being taken from. For example, instead of saying "We need to "take lessons from" the past", be specific: "We need to "take lessons from" the economic policies of the 1930s to avoid repeating similar mistakes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take lessons from" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of learning or gaining knowledge from a specific source. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take lessons from" is a widely used phrase that encourages learning and improvement through observation and experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts. Its frequent appearance in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread acceptance. Remember to clearly identify the source of the lessons and avoid vagueness to maximize clarity. Consider alternatives such as "learn from" or "gain insights from" to add variety to your writing. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use the phrase "take lessons from" to convey insightful and actionable advice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

learn from

This alternative is a shorter and more direct way of expressing the same idea.

gain insights from

This alternative emphasizes obtaining a deeper understanding or perspective.

draw inspiration from

This alternative focuses on being inspired or motivated by someone or something.

follow the example of

This alternative highlights using someone's behavior or actions as a model.

seek guidance from

This alternative highlights seeking advice or direction.

be inspired by

This alternative is similar to "draw inspiration from" but focuses on the feeling of being inspired.

emulate

This alternative means to imitate or follow the example of someone.

adopt practices from

This alternative emphasizes incorporating specific methods or techniques.

model after

This alternative suggests using something as a pattern or guide.

study

This alternative means to examine closely to learn from.

FAQs

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

To "take lessons from" someone means to learn from their experiences, knowledge, or actions, often to improve oneself or avoid making similar mistakes.

How can I use "take lessons from" in a sentence?

You can use "take lessons from" to suggest learning from a particular situation or individual. For example: "The company can "take lessons from" its past failures and implement better strategies."

What are some alternatives to "take lessons from"?

Alternatives to "take lessons from" include "learn from", "draw inspiration from", or "gain insights from", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "take lessons from" mistakes or ignore them?

It is generally considered beneficial to "take lessons from" mistakes, as this allows for growth, improvement, and the avoidance of repeating errors. Ignoring mistakes can lead to stagnation and further setbacks.