takes an action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "takes an action" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that someone or something is performing a specific action or task. Example: The government is taking action to reduce air pollution in the city.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"When one side, offense or defense, gets out of balance, someone takes an action to bring it back into balance".

The New York Times - Sports

"ITT, when faced with a ready buyer, still takes an action that denies its shareholders the right to decide the future of their company," Mr. Bollenbach asserted.

The New York Times

But playing high-end games in the cloud presents a much bigger technical challenge because of the importance of eliminating any lag between the moment a player takes an action in a game on his or her device, and when the game responds on the screen.

The New York Times - Tech

The agent uses the received information to determine the state of the MDP; then, the agent takes an action via fine-tuning TCP parameters.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

At each time instant t, the sender takes an action a t (s t ), where s t is the current state.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

They are used when a user posts some content to a site, and a reader takes an action to contribute to the sharing and curation of that content.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Designing, like acting, requires that one take an action.

The New York Times

I had taken an action towards making myself better and that somehow gave me permission to take other actions.

Independent

§ 370.13 Can time limits for taking an action on a credit entry be extended?

Cornell University

Aliyyah and Shafiq need to learn to take an action every day, however small.

The Guardian

Write it down, read it often and take an action towards it every single day.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing automated systems or algorithms, use "takes an action" to clearly indicate the system's response to a particular input or condition. For example, "Based on the sensor data, the robot automatically takes an action to adjust its position."

Common error

Avoid using "takes an action" when a passive construction is more appropriate. Overusing active voice can make the writing sound forced or unnatural. For example, instead of "The committee takes an action on the proposal", consider "Action is taken on the proposal by the committee" if the focus is on the proposal itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "takes an action" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the performance or initiation of a specific activity or measure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "takes an action" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-registered expression used to describe the initiation of a specific activity or measure. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights examples from News & Media and Science. While "takes an action" is common, consider the context and purpose, and choose more precise alternatives like "acts upon something" or "implements a measure" for enhanced clarity and impact. When using the phrase, ensure you specify the action to provide sufficient context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acts upon something

Focuses on the immediate effect or response to a stimulus.

implements a measure

Implies a formal or systematic approach to initiating change.

executes a task

Highlights the completion or performance aspect of a defined duty.

initiates a process

Emphasizes the start or beginning of a sequence of events.

undertakes a step

Suggests a deliberate and planned progression towards a goal.

performs a function

Highlights the fulfillment of a specific role or purpose.

engages in activity

Implies participation and involvement in a specific undertaking.

pursues a course of action

Suggests a strategic and determined approach to achieving an objective.

moves forward with

Focuses on progression and advancement after a decision is made.

applies an intervention

Implies a directed attempt to modify an outcome or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "takes an action" in a sentence?

You can use "takes an action" to describe someone or something initiating a specific task or measure. For example, "The government "takes an action" to address climate change", or "The algorithm "takes an action" based on user input".

What's a more formal way to say "takes an action"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "implements a measure" or "undertakes a step" which implies a more structured and deliberate approach.

What can I say instead of "takes an action"?

You can use alternatives like "acts upon something", "executes a task", or "initiates a process" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify what action is being taken after "takes an action"?

While not grammatically required, it's usually best to specify the action to provide clarity and context. For example, instead of "The system "takes an action"", it's better to say "The system "takes an action" to correct the error".