take on several forms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take on several forms" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that can appear or exist in different variations or manifestations. Example: "The concept of love can take on several forms, including romantic, platonic, and familial love."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While this philosophical pondering can take on several forms -- "What is the meaning of life?" or "Why am I here?" may sound more familiar to you -- the answer is always relative to the person asking it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Russian folktales, perhaps among the most widespread, also abound in stories of animals and humans communicating, with talking cats and the famous "Baba Yaga," a witch-like old woman who takes on several forms, transforming into animals with ease.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

In a paper on the role of Boards in Australian universities (often referred to as Academic Senates in the U.S ., Wormell and McCallum (2013) discuss how, in their ideal form, Boards would take on several characteristics that are known to promote governance and good reputation in the corporate environment.

International Journal for Educational Integrity

It probably did not originate in France, and it takes on several different forms even within the French tradition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

G is the nonlinearity function, which can take on several different forms as discussed in[19].

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

While this can take on several different forms depending on the legal path the owner decides to take, this can be the basis for a full worker cooperative, or at least a more equal system in which the current employees share the profits between them.[4].

WikiHow

Mr. Perry takes on several sacred cows.

The New York Times

Sify is a play on several forms of Internet access.

Forbes

As a matter of practicality, he largely abandoned direct carving, and took on several assistants to help produce the larger forms based on maquettes.

Wikipedia

The salon expands, taking on several employees.

The New York Times - Books

Screening for CMV could take one of several forms.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take on several forms", ensure the context clearly indicates what is adapting or changing. For instance, specify the subject that is taking on different forms to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "take on several forms" without clearly specifying what the subject is. A common mistake is to use the phrase in a sentence where it's unclear what is adapting or changing forms. Always provide a clear subject to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take on several forms" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a subject can manifest or appear in multiple variations or guises. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples showing its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take on several forms" is a versatile expression used to describe how something can manifest in multiple ways. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains, including news, science, and general writing. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's essential to ensure clarity by specifying the subject that's adapting. Consider alternatives like "assume various guises" or "manifest in diverse ways" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume various guises

Replaces "forms" with "guises", emphasizing disguise or outward appearance.

manifest in diverse ways

Uses "manifest" to highlight the appearance or display of something, and "diverse ways" to emphasize variety.

exhibit multiple variations

Focuses on the different variations that something can show.

present in different configurations

Highlights the arrangement or structure that something can adopt.

come in numerous iterations

Emphasizes the different versions or repetitions of something.

occur in various incarnations

Implies different physical or spiritual existences.

exist in manifold aspects

Highlights the many different features or qualities.

display a range of modalities

Focuses on the different modes or methods of something.

adopt diverse modalities

Implies a deliberate choice to use different forms.

materialize in several versions

Focuses on the different versions that can become real.

FAQs

How can I use "take on several forms" in a sentence?

You can use "take on several forms" to describe something that can manifest or appear in different variations. For example, "The concept of love can "take on several forms", including romantic, platonic, and familial love."

What are some alternatives to "take on several forms"?

Some alternatives to "take on several forms" include "assume various guises", "manifest in diverse ways", or "exhibit multiple variations". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "takes on several forms" instead of "take on several forms"?

Yes, "takes on several forms" is correct when the subject is singular and third person (e.g., "The issue takes on several forms"). "Take on several forms" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "These issues take on several forms").

What's the difference between "take on several forms" and "take on different forms"?

While both phrases are similar, ""take on several forms"" implies a specific number of variations, whereas "take on different forms" simply indicates that variations exist without specifying the quantity.