take the escalator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take the escalator" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that someone use an escalator to move between two levels rather than taking the stairs. For example, "If you're heading to the second floor, take the escalator on your right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Take the escalator to the permanent collection.

The New York Times - Arts

Take the escalator to the Sony sky lobby.

Columbia University

(Hint: take the escalator or stairs from Kimberley Road).

The New York Times - Travel

chose to take the escalator, even in rush hour, by an almost eight-to-one ratio.

The New York Times

Enter a nondescript building in Ballston, take the escalator to the second floor, and make a sharp right.

The Washington Post

Please take the escalator or elevator up to the second floor; the registration table will be next to the Grand Ballroom.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Take the escalators with the Robert Irwin light installation to the Asian collection, considered one of the nation's largest.

The New York Times - Travel

At MoMA, under the watchful eye of the museum guard, you could get close enough to hear the gentle pucker as tape separated from skin, or take the escalators to the top floor and peer down at her tiny, focused form and constellations of watchers.

The New York Times - Arts

She skipped the stairs and took the escalator.

The New York Times

I took the escalator down and each floor looked ominously empty.

The New York Times

On entering the store, Dyson took the escalator down to the windowless lower floor, where consumer products are sold.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving directions, be specific about the location of the escalator (e.g., "Take the escalator near the entrance.")

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "take the escalator" in narratives; vary your language by using descriptive phrases like "ascend via the moving stairs" to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take the escalator" functions primarily as an imperative, used to give directions or instructions. It directly tells someone to use the escalator as a means of transportation between floors. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a grammatically sound and practical phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

23%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take the escalator" is a common and correct imperative used to provide directions or suggestions for using an escalator. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness and practical usage. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources, indicating its widespread use in general communication. While grammatically correct and widely understood, varying your language and descriptive vocabulary can improve your style, especially in narrative contexts. Alternatives like "use the escalator" or "ascend via the escalator" offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

use the escalator

Focuses on the action of using the escalator, rather than the suggestion.

ride the escalator

Emphasizes the experience of riding the escalator.

go up the escalator

Specifies upward direction on the escalator.

choose the escalator

Similar to 'opt for', emphasizing selection.

ascend via the escalator

More formal way to suggest using the escalator.

step onto the escalator

Emphasizes the action of stepping onto the escalator.

opt for the escalator

Highlights the choice of using the escalator over other options.

catch the escalator

Suggests quickly boarding the escalator.

take the moving stairs

Alternative term for escalator, focusing on the moving aspect.

hop on the escalator

Informal suggestion to use the escalator.

FAQs

How to use "take the escalator" in a sentence?

Use "take the escalator" when giving instructions or suggestions for navigating a building or space. For example, "To reach the food court, "take the escalator" to the third floor."

What can I say instead of "take the escalator"?

You can use alternatives such as "use the escalator", "ride the escalator", or "ascend via the escalator", depending on the context and formality.

Which is correct, "take the escalator" or "use the escalator"?

Both ""take the escalator"" and "use the escalator" are correct. "Take the escalator" is slightly more common in everyday conversation, while "use the escalator" is also acceptable.

What's the difference between "take the escalator" and "take the stairs"?

"Take the escalator" suggests using the moving stairs for convenience, while "take the stairs" implies using the steps, often for exercise or when an escalator is unavailable. They are opposite ways to ascend or descend between floors.