taking advantage of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'taking advantage of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in situations where somebody is benefiting from a situation in a way that could be considered unfair or incorrect. For example, "The company was taking advantage of drunk customers by charging them inflated prices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Was I taking advantage of him?

The New York Times - Tech

"It was taking advantage of our community.

The New Yorker

"Twitter is taking advantage of this".

The New York Times - Tech

I said, "You're taking advantage of me".

The New York Times - Magazine

Was I taking advantage of my position?

The New York Times

Taking advantage of the bumpkins.

University of California, Berkeley

It's taking advantage of opportunities".

The New York Times - Sports

They were taking advantage of people.

The Guardian

"You're taking advantage of me," he said.

The New York Times

People are taking advantage of them.

The New York Times

Were they taking advantage of the moment?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taking advantage of", consider the ethical implications. Ensure your actions are perceived as making the most of a situation rather than exploiting it unfairly.

Common error

While "taking advantage of" can imply exploitation, it also signifies resourcefulness. Clarify the context to emphasize positive usage, such as "taking advantage of opportunities" for growth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking advantage of" functions as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate of a clause. It describes an action where someone is leveraging a situation or resource. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

29%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking advantage of" is a versatile expression with both positive and negative connotations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While it can imply unethical exploitation, it also signifies resourcefulness and opportunism. When writing, be mindful of the context and consider alternative phrases like ""capitalizing on"" or "leveraging" to convey a more positive tone. In News & Media and Academia, the phrase is commonly used, reflecting its relevance in describing diverse scenarios where individuals or organizations leverage opportunities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making the most of

Suggests maximizing the benefits or potential of something, often in a resourceful or appreciative manner.

capitalizing on an opportunity

Emphasizes making the most of a favorable situation, often in a positive or neutral way.

exploiting a weakness

Focuses on using a vulnerability or flaw for one's own benefit, often with negative connotations.

utilizing an opening

Focuses on seizing a chance or opportunity that presents itself.

leveraging resources

Highlights using available assets or means to achieve a goal, typically in a business or strategic context.

profiting from a situation

Indicates gaining an advantage or benefit from a set of circumstances, sometimes with a hint of criticism.

making undue use of

Suggests using something excessively or inappropriately.

cashing in on

Implies converting something into a financial gain, often quickly and opportunistically.

abusing a privilege

Focuses on misusing or overusing a right or special advantage.

playing on someone's emotions

Highlights exploiting emotional vulnerabilities, typically in a manipulative way.

FAQs

How can I use "taking advantage of" in a sentence?

You can use "taking advantage of" to describe leveraging opportunities or resources, as in "The company is "capitalizing on" new market trends." However, be mindful of the potential negative connotation of exploitation.

What's the difference between "taking advantage of" and "exploiting"?

"Taking advantage of" can be neutral or positive, suggesting resourcefulness. "Exploiting" implies unfair or unethical use of someone or something. The line can be subjective and context-dependent.

What can I say instead of "taking advantage of" to sound more positive?

To convey a more positive tone, you could use alternatives like ""capitalizing on"", "making the most of", or "leveraging", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "taking advantage of"?

Use "taking advantage of" when you want to describe a situation where someone is benefiting from circumstances, but be aware that it can sometimes imply a lack of ethics. In situations where the benefit is clearly positive, use a more appropriate phrase like "utilizing" or "benefiting from".