taking a toll

USAGE SUMMARY

'taking a toll' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe the impact or cost of something. For example: The long hours at work have been taking a toll on my health.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But success is taking a toll.

The New York Times

But the struggle is taking a toll.

The New York Times

And now, demographics are taking a toll.

The New York Times

Gas prices are still taking a toll.

The New York Times

The empty rooms are taking a toll.

The New York Times

Even so, time is taking a toll.

The Washington Post

The stalemate is taking a toll on government.

The Economist

Falling commodity prices are also taking a toll.

The Economist

However, these emotional losses are taking a toll.

The New York Times - Sports

But the job's stresses were taking a toll.

The New York Times

"Climate change is taking a toll," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taking a toll", ensure the subject experiencing the toll is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The situation is taking a toll", specify "The situation is taking a toll on their mental health".

Common error

Avoid vague statements about what is "taking a toll" without specifying the exact cause. For example, instead of saying "Stress is taking a toll", be precise and say "The constant pressure at work is taking a toll on my sleep patterns."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a toll" functions as a verb phrase, typically used within a larger sentence structure to describe the ongoing negative impact or effect of something on a subject. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it illustrates how various factors like stress, time, or economic conditions can negatively affect other entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking a toll" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the negative impact of something over time. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, highlighting its use in reporting adverse effects across diverse domains. While its register is generally neutral, allowing for broad applicability, clarity in specifying the subject and cause of the toll is crucial. To enhance writing, consider alternatives like ""proving detrimental"" or "leading to hardship" for greater precision. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and widespread usage of this phrase, solidifying its status as a reliable component of the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proving detrimental

Emphasizes the harmful and damaging impact of something.

leading to hardship

Highlights the difficulties and suffering that result from a situation.

causing damage

Focuses on the harmful effects or destruction resulting from something.

causing strain

This indicates a situation that is creating pressure or tension on something.

having an impact

This alternative is more general, focusing on the presence of an effect rather than its negative nature.

affecting negatively

A general term for any action that causes a negative effect on something.

exacted a price

This suggests a cost or sacrifice was involved, which can overlap with the meaning of "taking a toll".

creating difficulties

This phrase highlights the challenges or problems that are emerging from the situation.

having repercussions

This stresses the consequences and aftereffects of an action or event, not necessarily negative.

leaving its mark

This phrase emphasizes the lasting and noticeable effect of something, whether positive or negative.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is "taking a toll"?

When something is described as "taking a toll", it means that it is having a negative impact or effect on something else, often causing damage, strain, or hardship.

How can I use "taking a toll" in a sentence?

You can use "taking a toll" to describe how something is negatively affecting something else. For example, "The lack of sleep is "proving detrimental" to my performance at work."

What can I say instead of "taking a toll"?

You can use alternatives like "having an impact", "causing damage", or "leading to hardship" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "take a toll" or "taking a toll"?

"Taking a toll" is typically used in continuous tenses to describe an ongoing negative impact. "Take a toll" is the base form and can be used in other tenses. For example: "The years will take a toll" vs "The years are taking a toll".