Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
take traces of
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "take traces of" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where one is referring to collecting or recording evidence or signs of something. Example: "The researchers aimed to take traces of the chemical composition in the soil samples."
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Since the domestic cat (Felis catus) has become one of the most popular pets and owners usually develop a close relationship to their cats, it is necessary to take traces of cats into account for forensic casework.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
Chemical shift data for H of the ∆UA 2S) residues was measured from 1D spectra and for H of each of the IdoA 2S) residues from subspectra obtained by taking traces at the chemical shifts of the H resonances of the IdoA 2S) residues in BASHD TOCSY spectra measured as a function of pD.
Taking trace error of torque control system to zero as control object, this article designs the adaptive nonlinear optimal compensation control strategy, which regards torque control output of closed-loop controller converging to zero as the control target, to optimize torque tracking performance.
Activists said the army may have stalled the convoy to remove traces of destruction and take bodies from the streets.
News & Media
Remove traces of pets.
Wiki
For many drugs, that's as long as it will take for traces of the drug to leave your system.
Wiki
If the challenge faced by Jake Bugg on his second album is to prove you can take the boy out of Clifton (the Nottingham council estate where he was born) without taking all traces of Clifton out of the boy, then it's one he rises to.
News & Media
"A lot of my work goes into taking any traces of my labours out," says Keegan, when I talk to her in Edinburgh, a few hours after she gave a reading at the city's book festival.
News & Media
After a week of revelry, nudity, dehydration, sunburn and art-making, the burners incinerate the towering man (while dodging falling chunks of flaming debris) and then depart, taking all traces of their "ephemeropolis" with them.
News & Media
Take the trace of all terms in (3.6) to get (37).
Taking the trace of the anti-diagonals of the matrix, which corresponds to taking the logical disjunction of the subset of (heteronuclear) mass fractions that correspond to isotopically labeled moieties with the same number of additional neutrons, yields a vector; specifically, the mass fraction vector that is obtained by low-resolution MS of the same sample.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When writing forensic reports or scientific analyses, clearly define what constitutes a "trace" to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify the detection threshold or the method used to identify the traces.
Common error
Avoid using "take traces of" in casual writing. Opt for clearer and more common alternatives like "detect signs of" or "find evidence of" to enhance readability.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "take traces of" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action related to identifying or considering minimal amounts or signs. As noted by Ludwig AI, while grammatically acceptable, it might not be the most common or natural phrasing.
Frequent in
Science
48%
News & Media
38%
Wiki
14%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "take traces of" is grammatically acceptable, it's not a particularly common or elegant way to express the idea of detecting or considering minimal evidence. Ludwig AI suggests that it might sound awkward to some. It's often used in scientific or forensic contexts. For general writing, consider more common alternatives like "detect evidence of" or "find signs of". When used, ensure clarity by defining what constitutes a "trace" and avoid overusing it in casual writing. The context is key in determining its appropriateness.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
find signs of
Highlights the discovery of indications or signals, substituting 'traces' with 'signs'.
observe signs of
Focuses on noticing or witnessing evidence, using a different verb.
detect evidence of
Focuses on the act of finding proof or indications, shifting from 'taking' to 'detecting'.
pick up indications of
Highlights the act of noticing subtle clues, changing the verb and noun.
note indications of
Emphasizes recording or acknowledging subtle clues, changing the verb.
incorporate hints of
Emphasizes including subtle suggestions or elements, changing the action to 'incorporate'.
gather remnants of
Implies collecting what remains, replacing 'traces' with 'remnants'.
register the presence of
Highlights the process of acknowledging the existence of something minimal, substituting 'traces' with 'presence'.
collect vestiges of
Suggests accumulating remaining evidence, substituting 'traces' with 'vestiges'.
acknowledge echoes of
Implies recognizing faint reminders or aftereffects, changing both the verb and noun.
FAQs
What does "take traces of" mean?
The phrase "take traces of" generally means to detect, collect, or consider very small amounts or signs of something. It often appears in contexts where forensic analysis or scientific investigation is involved.
What can I say instead of "take traces of"?
You can use alternatives like "detect evidence of", "find signs of", or "gather remnants of" depending on the context.
Is "take traces of" grammatically correct?
While not incorrect, "take traces of" isn't the most common or elegant phrasing. It's grammatically sound but may sound awkward to some native English speakers. Using more common phrases can improve clarity and flow.
When should I use "take traces of"?
Use "take traces of" when discussing the careful collection or consideration of minimal evidence or signs. It is suitable for technical or forensic contexts where precision is important.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested