takes for granted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "takes for granted" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express the idea that someone does not appreciate or value something because it is always available or assumed to be there. Example: "She takes for granted the support her friends provide, not realizing how much they sacrifice for her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The roaring alongside he takes for granted,.

The New Yorker

But we must also decipher what he takes for granted.

The Guardian - Books

Many things the world now takes for granted were introduced by Mr Bezos.

The Economist

They may crave the camaraderie and structure that the office worker takes for granted.

The New York Times

Teaching has never really had the kind of sensible evaluation system that business takes for granted.

The New York Times

No Chinese film has ever pitched harder for the mainstream global audience Hollywood takes for granted.

The Guardian - Film

It almost takes for granted the security that we have now.

The New Yorker

This strategy takes for granted that the country still, at its core, agrees with the Republicans.

The Economist

Why such excitement over reports which the rest of the world takes for granted?

The Economist

In a sense, then, Watermark takes for granted a certain amount of environmental awareness.

The Guardian - Film

The left takes for granted this kind of pro-Europe attitude.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal logic or academic writing, use this to identify the unstated premises or foundational beliefs of a particular argument.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use the active form when a passive construction is required. For instance, do not write 'The help takes for granted' when you mean the help is being received without appreciation; instead, use the passive 'is taken for granted'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "takes for granted" functions as an idiomatic transitive verb phrase. In a sentence, it acts as the main predicate, often followed by a direct object or a 'that' clause. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to denote both cognitive assumptions and emotional underestimations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "takes for granted" is a versatile and essential idiom in the English language. As demonstrated by the extensive data from Ludwig, it serves two main purposes: describing a logical assumption and highlighting a lack of appreciation. It appears frequently in prestigious publications such as The New York Times and The Economist, making it suitable for a wide range of writing styles, from everyday journalism to complex academic discourse. When using it, ensure you maintain correct subject-verb agreement and distinguish it from its passive counterpart, 'taken for granted'. To vary your vocabulary, consider using "assumes" for a more neutral tone or "fails to appreciate" when the emotional weight of the statement is paramount. Overall, Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatically correct and highly effective tool for expressing the human tendency to overlook the obvious or the essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assumes

Focuses purely on the logical premise without the emotional layer of lack of appreciation.

fails to appreciate

Stronger emphasis on the lack of gratitude or recognition.

treats as a given

Suggests that something is viewed as a baseline fact that requires no further proof.

underestimates the value of

Highlights a failure to recognize the true worth or importance of something.

presumes

A more formal alternative typically used in legal or philosophical contexts.

undervalues

Directly addresses the lack of proper estimation of worth.

takes as read

A British idiom meaning to accept something without verification or discussion.

overlooks

Suggests a passive failure to notice something rather than an active assumption.

posits

A more technical term often used when setting up a theory or argument.

dismisses the complexity of

Focuses on the simplification of a subject by assuming it is basic.

FAQs

How do I use "takes for granted" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an assumption, such as 'The theory "takes for granted" that human nature is inherently good'. Alternatively, it can describe a lack of appreciation: 'He "takes for granted" the support of his family'.

What is a more formal way to say "takes for granted"?

In academic or professional contexts, you might prefer to use "presumes" or "posits" if you are referring to a logical assumption.

Is it "takes for grant" or "takes for granted"?

The correct idiom is always "takes for granted". The word 'granted' functions here as a past participle meaning 'given' or 'conceded'.

What is the difference between "takes for granted" and "assumes"?

While "assumes" is a neutral term for taking something as true, "takes for granted" often carries a negative connotation of failing to appreciate something or being overconfident in its permanence.