takes a cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "takes a cold" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to refer to "catching a cold," which is the correct expression used to describe becoming ill with a cold virus. Example: "After being out in the rain without a jacket, I think I might take a cold."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He takes a cold shower.

The New York Times

She also takes a cold look at his domestic life.

The New Yorker

Refreshingly, the book takes a cold view of the Gospel of Judas.

The New Yorker

His film takes a cold look at a furious childhood that's dramatized without catharsis or resolution.

The New Yorker

The Caravan magazine takes a cold, hard look this month at how the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections get misread.

The New York Times

B's father takes a cold shower while B just washes his face, and when they are ready they go out to dinner.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I took a cold shower, I put my sweats on".

The Guardian - Sport

Lever took a cold bath most mornings and slept on a semi-open balcony.

The Economist

Take a cold Sunday evening in the dimmest depths of January.

Independent

In this case, I suggested that my executive security entrepreneur take a cold shower.

The New York Times

"They can take a cold shower afterwards," said Hendrik Redant, a team leader for Silence-Lotto.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "takes a cold" in formal writing. Opt for standard expressions to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Do not use "takes a cold" when you mean to say someone is becoming ill. The correct usage is "catches a cold" or "has a cold". For instance, instead of saying "He takes a cold after the rain", say "He catches a cold after the rain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "takes a cold" can function as a verb phrase, but its correctness depends on the context. Ludwig AI indicates it's often misused for "catches a cold". Examples show it correctly used in the context of actions like "takes a cold shower" or "takes a cold look."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "takes a cold" presents a mixed bag in terms of grammatical correctness and usage. Ludwig AI highlights that it is often incorrectly used as a substitute for "catches a cold". However, it is correctly used in contexts such as "takes a cold shower" or "takes a cold look", where it describes a specific action or assessment. While the phrase appears across various sources, including news and media, it's crucial to ensure correct usage to avoid grammatical errors and maintain clarity. When referring to illness, the accurate expressions are "catches a cold" or "has a cold". Overall, awareness of context and grammatical precision are key when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catches a cold

This is the standard and grammatically correct way to express becoming ill with a cold.

gets a cold

An informal and straightforward way of saying someone becomes ill with a cold.

has a cold

A simple and direct way of stating that someone is currently experiencing a cold.

contracts a cold

A more formal alternative to "catches a cold", indicating the acquisition of the illness.

comes down with a cold

An idiomatic expression for becoming sick with a cold.

succumbs to a cold

This suggests a yielding to the illness, often implying a weakened state.

develops a cold

Indicates the gradual onset of cold symptoms.

is suffering from a cold

Focuses on the experience of having and enduring the illness.

is afflicted by a cold

A more dramatic way of saying someone is suffering from a cold.

acquires a cold

Similar to "contracts", but can also imply a more passive reception of the illness.

FAQs

Is "takes a cold" grammatically correct?

No, "takes a cold" is not grammatically correct when referring to becoming ill. The correct phrase is "catches a cold" or "has a cold".

What does it mean to say someone "catches a cold"?

To "catch a cold" means to become infected with a virus that causes a common cold, leading to symptoms like a runny nose, cough, and sore throat.

Are there other ways to say "catches a cold"?

Yes, you can also say someone "comes down with a cold", "develops a cold", or simply "has a cold".

When can "takes a cold look" be used correctly?

The phrase "takes a cold look" is used correctly when describing someone impartially evaluating something. This idiom means to consider something without emotion or personal bias. For example: "The committee "takes a cold look" at the budget."