taking a cue from

USAGE SUMMARY

'taking a cue from' is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it in a sentence such as: "Taking a cue from the seagulls, I decided to leave the beach and head out on my next adventure".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Taking a cue from the Yahoo C.E.O.

The New Yorker

At Jazzfest, taking a cue from Louis Armstrong, he sang "What a Wonderful World".

The New York Times

Some Cardinals even signed their lockers, taking a cue from their sentimental fans.

The New York Times

TAKING a cue from the Internet, I have decided to rewrite my resume.

The New York Times

Taking a cue from Lucali's Nutella-drizzled calzone, I even attempted my own dessert version.

The New York Times - Food

Taking a cue from this violence, many other Pakistanis are sidelining the minority.

The New York Times

Taking a cue from Disney, some mountains have big furry-costumed creatures roaming the slopes, jollying up the little ones.

The New York Times - Travel

Executives at ABC, part of the Walt Disney Company, are taking a cue from the silent sponsors.

The New York Times

The director is Ridley Scott, who, as if taking a cue from his hero, rejoices in the challenge of solitude.

The New Yorker

Extra credit: 4. Perhaps taking a cue from George H.W. Bush, who expressed a love of pork rinds in 1988.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

His desserts also take a cue from tradition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking a cue from" to clearly indicate that an action or idea is inspired or influenced by something else. Ensure the source of inspiration is clearly identified.

Common error

Avoid using "taking a cue from" if the connection to the source is vague or nonexistent. Ensure a clear and logical link between the action and the inspiration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a cue from" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing the source of inspiration or influence for a subsequent action or decision. Ludwig indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking a cue from" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that signifies deriving inspiration or guidance from a specific source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in a variety of contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal writing. Its function is to provide context and justification for an action or decision by clearly identifying its origin. While alternatives such as "following the lead of" or "drawing inspiration from" exist, "taking a cue from" offers a direct and clear way to indicate influence. When using this phrase, ensure the source of inspiration is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following the lead of

Emphasizes direct imitation or following someone's example.

taking inspiration from

Similar to drawing inspiration, but slightly more active.

drawing inspiration from

Highlights the inspirational aspect rather than direct copying.

emulating

A more formal term for imitating, often with the intention of matching or surpassing.

modeling after

Suggests a deliberate act of using something as a model or template.

in the style of

Focuses on imitating a particular style or aesthetic.

patterning after

Similar to modeling, implying a structured approach to imitation.

getting ideas from

Suggests the source is providing general ideas, not necessarily a direct model.

deriving ideas from

A more formal way of saying 'getting ideas from'.

aping

Implies a close and sometimes unflattering imitation.

FAQs

How can I use "taking a cue from" in a sentence?

You can use "taking a cue from" to show that someone or something is being influenced by another. For example, "Taking a cue from the latest trends, the company updated its product line."

What's a good alternative to "taking a cue from"?

Alternatives include "following the lead of", "drawing inspiration from", or "modeling after" depending on the specific context.

Is it acceptable to use "taking a cue from" in formal writing?

Yes, "taking a cue from" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its clarity and directness make it useful across various contexts.

What does "taking a cue from" actually mean?

"Taking a cue from" means to derive inspiration or guidance from something or someone, and then to act accordingly. It implies that a decision or action is based on observing and learning from another source.