take statements

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take statements" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is asked to accept or receive statements, often in legal, formal, or conversational settings. Example: "During the meeting, the manager asked the team to take statements from all participants regarding their experiences with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

And many Specials can't even take statements properly because they don't know how to.

Independent

Police took several journalists into custody to take statements from them as witnesses before releasing them.

The Guardian

Better, I think, to suspend suspicion whenever possible, to give the benefit of the doubt, to take statements at face value.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Military investigators repeatedly failed to take statements from witnesses, to follow up with the witness's lawyer, and to re-interview witnesses to clarify discrepancies".

The Guardian

The contents of the emails were so benign that those trying to attack climate scientists were forced to take statements out of context.

The Guardian

Officers from South Africa's Hawks priority crime unit have contacted at least two new witnesses in recent weeks to take statements.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

A police officer was taking statements.

The New York Times

Police took statements from Forgie, Pella and Swiatkowski.

Independent

Volpe searched the car and took statements from witnesses.

The New Yorker

Botha said he had taken statements from neighbours and witnesses.

The Guardian

Officers are taking statements and preparing reports for the Crown Prosecution Service.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or investigative procedures, use "take statements" to clearly indicate the process of formally recording accounts from individuals.

Common error

Avoid using overly casual phrases like "get stories" or "hear accounts" when a formal or legal context requires the precision and authority of "take statements".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take statements" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "take" is the main verb and "statements" is the direct object. It describes the action of obtaining or recording formal accounts from individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take statements" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, primarily found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It refers to the action of formally recording accounts, often in legal or investigative settings. While synonyms like "record testimonies" or "gather accounts" exist, "take statements" provides a clear and precise way to describe the process of collecting documented accounts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

record testimonies

This alternative uses a more formal term ("testimonies") for statements, implying a legal or official context.

collect depositions

Similar to "record testimonies", this emphasizes the formal and legal nature of gathering statements.

gather accounts

This phrase focuses on collecting narratives or descriptions of events from various sources.

obtain declarations

Implies acquiring formal and official statements, often written and signed.

secure affidavits

This refers to obtaining sworn statements, typically used in legal proceedings.

elicit responses

Focuses on drawing out answers or information from individuals.

receive reports

Highlights the action of getting formal reports or accounts from individuals.

conduct interviews

Emphasizes a structured conversation to gather information and statements.

compile narratives

Focuses on assembling stories or accounts, often from multiple sources.

document accounts

Implies a formal and thorough process of recording and preserving statements.

FAQs

What does it mean to "take statements" in a legal context?

In a legal context, to "take statements" means to formally record accounts from individuals, often witnesses or parties involved in an incident. This involves documenting their testimonies for use as evidence or information in legal proceedings.

Are there synonyms for "take statements" that I can use?

Yes, you can use phrases like "record testimonies", "gather accounts", or "collect depositions", depending on the specific context.

How does "take statements" differ from conducting an interview?

"Take statements" typically refers to the formal recording of information, while "conduct interviews" implies a more conversational approach to gathering information. The former is often more structured and legally binding.

When is it appropriate to use "take statements" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "take statements" in writing when describing legal investigations, police procedures, or any situation where formal documentation of accounts is necessary. For example, reporting on a police investigation where officers "take statements" from witnesses.