take something seriously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take something seriously" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that somebody needs to be serious and thoughtful about a certain situation or matter. For example, "If you want to make a successful career, you need to take it seriously and dedicate yourself to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"You've got to take something seriously.

The Guardian - Music

It's hard to take something seriously when every move is meant to be profound.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's hard to take something seriously if you can't see it, smell it, touch it, or feel it.

The New York Times - Books

(Joe Biden, for his part, has been known to whisper wildly inappropriate things, but when he was, for example, caught on an open mic telling Obama that the passage of the Affordable Care Act was "a big fucking deal," he was reminding Obama that he should take something seriously).

The New Yorker

How can someone believe you'll take something seriously if you don't take your grades and school life seriously?

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Hayden would get mad at me occasionally for not taking something seriously enough.

The New York Times - Magazine

Being a nerd is "not about IQ or different characteristics, it's all about obsession and focus and taking something seriously," he told Entertainment Weekly.

The New Yorker

You go to the training because you like it, you feel much more relaxed, you don't take something too seriously.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"You take something more seriously if you can't figure it out immediately.

BBC

They take something like this very seriously.

Independent

"How can you take something like P-O-P seriously?" he asked.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take something seriously", ensure the context clearly defines what "something" refers to. Vague references can weaken the impact of your statement. For example, instead of saying "You need to take this seriously", specify what "this" is: "You need to take your studies seriously."

Common error

While "take something seriously" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stiff in casual conversation. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "care about it" or "be mindful of it" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take something seriously" functions as a directive, often used to urge or advise someone to acknowledge the importance of a particular subject or action. Ludwig indicates that this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take something seriously" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to urge attention and respect towards a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, signaling a need for careful consideration. While versatile, be mindful of the register and consider alternatives for overly informal settings. To enhance clarity, always ensure the "something" is clearly defined to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

place importance on something

This stresses the act of prioritizing a particular subject.

treat something with importance

This focuses on the level of significance assigned to a particular thing.

give something due consideration

This suggests allocating the appropriate level of thought and attention.

regard something with gravity

This alternative emphasizes the weighty importance one assigns to a matter.

view something as significant

This alternative emphasizes the perceived importance of a thing.

consider something carefully

This highlights the thoughtfulness and attention given to a subject.

appreciate the importance of something

This highlights understanding and valuing the relevance of a thing.

not dismiss something lightly

This focuses on avoiding a casual or superficial assessment.

give something your full attention

This alternative emphasizes dedicating complete focus and effort.

handle something with care

This suggests a responsible and thoughtful approach to a matter.

FAQs

How can I use "take something seriously" in a sentence?

You can use "take something seriously" to emphasize the importance of treating a matter with due diligence. For example, "The company needs to "take this issue seriously" to avoid legal repercussions".

What can I say instead of "take something seriously"?

You can use alternatives like "regard something with gravity", "treat something with importance", or "place importance on something" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "take something seriously" or "take something seriously"?

The phrase "take something seriously" is correct. There are no common misspellings or grammatical variations that would warrant an alternative phrasing. If you're looking for alternatives, consider rewording the sentence to use synonyms for emphasis.

What's the difference between "take something seriously" and "consider something carefully"?

"Take something seriously" implies recognizing the significance and potential consequences of a matter. "Consider something carefully" suggests a thoughtful and deliberate evaluation of a particular issue. The former focuses on importance, the latter on analysis.