take on importance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take on importance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to mean becoming increasingly important or significant. For example: "As the election approached, the issue of healthcare started to take on importance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Separate, random data become facts, and isolated facts take on importance only by virtue of their participation in and relation to wholes larger than themselves.

Harvard Business Review

Subjective criteria, listed below, take on importance once applicants' GPAs and LSAT scores qualify them for closer scrutiny.

Cornell University

A theme of this discussion is that notions of morality have functional aspects, and that, for a complex of reasons, they also take on importance in their own right to individuals.

Harvard University

Names take on importance as sign-posts along physical structures.

SEP

The first few lists were fairly standard stuff, topped by El Bulli and the French Laundry mostly, but the list began to take on importance when it began to recognize a different kind of restaurant than the posh dining rooms favored by the Michelin Guide.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Regional economic integration also had taken on importance in order to broaden markets.

Britannica

The term informality has taken on importance in the last 50 years, gaining different names, features and interpretations over time.

City, Territory and Architecture

Yet the terrain took on importance only because of the battle, and especially its outcome.

The New York Times

So, small decisions take on more importance than one might think.

BBC

That is one of the reasons why the debates take on such importance.

The Guardian

But the little things take on greater importance as well.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take on importance" when describing how something's relevance or significance increases over time or in a specific context. For example, "As the company grew, customer service took on greater importance."

Common error

Avoid using "take on importance" interchangeably with phrases like "is important" without implying a change or increase in significance. "The new policy took on importance after the incident" is different from "The policy is important for maintaining order."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take on importance" functions as a dynamic indicator of increasing relevance or significance. It highlights a shift in the perceived value or criticality of something, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take on importance" is a versatile phrase used to describe the process of something becoming more significant or relevant. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While several alternatives exist, such as "gain significance" or "become relevant", "take on importance" specifically highlights the element of change over time. When using this phrase, ensure that the context implies a shift in significance rather than simply stating a fact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain significance

This alternative directly conveys the act of becoming more significant, using a more formal vocabulary.

grow in importance

This suggests a gradual increase in importance over time.

become relevant

Focuses on the aspect of becoming applicable or pertinent to a situation.

increase in relevance

Similar to "become relevant" but emphasizes the measurable increase.

assume prominence

Indicates a rise to a position of greater visibility or notability.

rise in significance

Expresses an upward trend in terms of importance or meaning.

become crucial

Highlights the critical or essential nature something is developing.

gain traction

Implies that something is gaining support or momentum, thus becoming more important.

matter more

A simple and direct way of saying something is becoming more important.

acquire weight

Suggests that something is gaining influence or impact.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "take on importance"?

You can use alternatives such as "gain significance", "become relevant", or "assume prominence" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something "takes on importance"?

It means something is becoming more significant or relevant than it was before. The degree of change in significance depends on context.

Is it correct to say "took on importance"?

Yes, "took on importance" is the past tense form and is grammatically correct. For example, "The issue "took on importance" after the new evidence was presented".

What's the difference between "take on importance" and "is important"?

"Take on importance" implies a change or increase in significance, whereas "is important" simply states the current level of significance without necessarily implying a change. For example, saying "education is important" is stating a general fact while saying "education is taking on importance" suggests it's becoming more valued than before.