take stock

USAGE SUMMARY

"take stock" is a perfectly correct phrase to use in written English.
It is often used to mean to review or assess one's situation, and can be used in both general and specific situations. For example, you could say "I'm going to take stock of my life and decide what changes I need to make" or "We need to take stock of our inventory to determine what we need to restock".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let's take stock.

The New Yorker

We have to take stock.

The Guardian - Sport

We need to take stock.

The New York Times - Sports

Time to take stock.

The Guardian - Books

We should take stock -- and celebrate.

The New York Times

Let's just take stock: Sunscreen?

The Guardian - Travel

Let's pause to take stock.

The Guardian

I need to take stock.

The Guardian

But let's take stock of the situation.

The New York Times

We must always take stock - what works?

The Guardian - Sport

I think Toronto will take stock.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take stock" when you want to encourage a pause for reflection or assessment, especially before making important decisions or changes. For example: "Before launching this new product, let's take stock of our current market position."

Common error

Avoid using "take stock" in continuous tenses (e.g., "I am taking stock"). While grammatically possible, it's less common and can sound awkward. Instead, use a simple tense like "I will take stock" or "I need to take stock".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "take stock" is as a phrasal verb. It acts as a verb phrase to describe the action of assessing or evaluating a situation. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts requiring careful consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take stock" is a common and versatile phrase used to describe the action of assessing a situation, reflecting on progress, or evaluating one's circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread application across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it's generally suitable for neutral to professional registers, avoiding continuous tenses can enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "assess the situation" or "evaluate progress" offer similar meanings depending on the specific context. Ultimately, mastering the use of "take stock" can help improve communication by encouraging thoughtful reflection and informed decision-making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Assess the situation

Replaces "take stock" with a more direct and action-oriented phrasing.

Evaluate progress

Focuses on the evaluation aspect of "take stock", particularly in terms of achievements.

Review the circumstances

Emphasizes the act of reviewing the external factors affecting a situation instead of one's internal state.

Gauge the situation

Offers a more informal and descriptive alternative, suggesting an intuitive assessment.

Examine the facts

Highlights the importance of factual evidence in the assessment process.

Reflect on achievements

Specifies the reflection on positive outcomes rather than the overall situation.

Consider the implications

Shifts the focus to the potential consequences of a situation after "taking stock".

Size up the landscape

Uses a more visual metaphor to convey the idea of assessing a broad situation.

Step back and analyze

Suggests a deliberate act of distancing oneself to gain a clearer perspective.

Conduct an inventory

Replaces "take stock" with a literal inventory that refers to cataloging resources.

FAQs

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

You can use "take stock" to mean assessing a situation. For example: "It's time to take stock of our progress this year" or "Let's take stock before we proceed further".

What does it mean to "take stock" of something?

To "take stock" means to critically evaluate or assess a situation, typically to make informed decisions. It involves reflecting on the current state and considering future actions.

What can I say instead of "take stock"?

You can use alternatives like "assess the situation", "evaluate progress", or "review the circumstances" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "take stock"?

It's appropriate to use "take stock" when you want to emphasize a moment of reflection and evaluation, particularly before making significant changes or decisions. It suggests a thoughtful consideration of the current situation.