take shape

USAGE SUMMARY

"take shape" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to mean something is beginning to become clearer or more organized. For example, you could say: "The plans for the event are starting to take shape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What does take shape?

The New York Times

Beginning to take shape now.

The Guardian

How did the character take shape?

The New York Times - Arts

His style had started to take shape.

The New York Times - Sports

The robot soon began to take shape.

The New York Times

A life's work started to take shape.

The New Yorker

A myth was beginning to take shape.

The Guardian

The great obsession began to take shape.

The Guardian - Music

Things were beginning to take shape.

The Guardian - Sport

So, how did Black Water take shape?

The Guardian - Books

Revelations sink in and destinies take shape.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take shape" to describe the gradual development of plans, ideas, or physical objects, indicating a process of becoming more defined and organized. For example: "The company's new strategy began to take shape after months of research and planning."

Common error

Avoid using "take shape" to describe something already fully formed or static. This phrase implies an ongoing process of formation, not a completed state. Instead of saying "The building took shape as a cube", it's more accurate to say "The building is shaped like a cube" if you're describing its final form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take shape" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating a process of development or formation. According to Ludwig AI, it signifies something becoming clearer or more organized. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing plans, ideas, and even physical objects as they evolve.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take shape" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the process of something developing or forming. Ludwig AI confirms that it is frequently used to indicate that something is becoming clearer or more organized. It is versatile in register, appearing in news, scientific writing, and business communication. Its prevalence across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take form

Very similar, but slightly more focused on the visual aspect of the formation.

assume form

Similar to "take form", but with a slightly more formal tone.

form

A more general term indicating the creation of a structure or arrangement.

develop

Suggests a gradual process of growth and refinement.

come into being

Highlights the start of existence or creation.

materialize

Emphasizes the physical manifestation or realization of something.

emerge

Implies something becoming visible or known after a period of being hidden or unclear.

shape up

An informal way to describe something improving and becoming well-organized.

coalesce

Indicates different elements coming together to form a unified whole.

crystallize

Indicates a clear and definite form being established after a period of uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "take shape" in a sentence?

"Take shape" is used to describe something that is gradually developing or becoming more defined. For example, "The artist's vision began to "take shape" as she added more details to the painting."

What can I say instead of "take shape"?

You can use alternatives like "form", "develop", or "materialize" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "takes shape" or "take shape"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "takes shape" for singular subjects (e.g., "The plan takes shape") and "take shape" for plural subjects (e.g., "The plans take shape").

What's the difference between "take shape" and "take form"?

While very similar, "take shape" often implies a more gradual and dynamic process, while "take form" might suggest a more immediate or defined structure coming into existence. The phrases are often interchangeable.