taking cue

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking cue" is a perfectly valid phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to taking a hint or clue from someone or something else in order to do something. For example: "Taking cue from their success, I decided to apply for the same job."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Taking cue from this, the paper recommends upgrading projects to be more location-specific that offer flexible yet customised solutions that build upon local knowledge to account for the dynamic and diverse nature of slums.

Habitat International

The significant contribution of this work is to define dimensionless numbers incorporating ultrasonic parameters, taking cue from the conventional numbers that define the significance of different forces involved in droplet formation.

Ultrasonics

Taking cue from Peirce's three-fold distinction between models of evolutionary growth in "Evolutionary Love," I contrast authentic growth of the self with two models of degenerate growth.

Johns Hopkins University

Taking cue from that, Van Heuvel (1995) noted the capacity of digital GIS techniques to deal with multimedia applications using data from widely differing sources to facilitate coastal management.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Taking cue from the device popularized by the Star Trek franchise, efforts are aimed at developing a hand-held portable diagnostic device that can scan the human body and diagnose their ailments within seconds.

Forbes

The idea was taking cue from an intangible item like music, giving shape light and colour to music and its performers.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mainstream manufacturers are taking cues from aromatherapists, too.

The New York Times - Food

"They're very much taking cues from Apple.

The New York Times - Tech

Simply described, she paints from the inside out, taking cues from her body's sensations.

The New Yorker

Last year fashion designers conspired with the art world; this season they are taking cues from poetry.

The New York Times - Style

Some of the classic greenwashers are also taking cues from the new greenwashing playbook.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taking cue", ensure that the source of the cue is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify from whom or what the cue is being taken.

Common error

Avoid assuming the audience knows the source of the cue. Always provide context; otherwise, the sentence may lack clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking cue" functions as a participial phrase often used adverbially to modify a verb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It signifies that an action is being done as a result of noticing or being influenced by something else. As Ludwig AI also highlights, this phrase indicates taking a hint or clue to do something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taking cue" is a valid and useful phrase that means to take a hint or clue from something. Ludwig's analysis shows it's grammatically correct and most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic sources. While it's not the most frequent phrase, you can enhance clarity by explicitly stating the source of the cue, this detail will prevent any ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as ""drawing inspiration from"" or ""following the lead of"" depending on the context. Remember to avoid assuming the audience knows the cue's origin. Overall, using "taking cue" effectively involves clarity and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drawing inspiration from

Implies a more creative and motivational influence, rather than a direct instruction or hint.

following the lead of

Suggests a direct imitation or replication of someone else's actions.

modeling after

Highlights the creation of something based on an existing template or example.

adopting a strategy from

Implies borrowing a well-defined approach or set of tactics.

emulating

Focuses on trying to match or surpass the achievements of the original source.

patterning after

Suggests a structural or design-oriented influence.

getting ideas from

Emphasizes the acquisition of initial concepts or thoughts.

heeding the lesson from

Conveys learning or accepting advice from a specific event or person.

mimicking

Suggests a close imitation, often for comedic or critical effect.

copying

Implies a direct and possibly unauthorized duplication.

FAQs

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

You can use "taking cue" to indicate that you are using something as a model or inspiration. For example, "Taking cue from nature, the architect designed a sustainable building."

What are some alternatives to "taking cue"?

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

Is it always necessary to specify the source when "taking cue"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the source from which the cue is taken enhances clarity and prevents potential misinterpretations.

What's the difference between "taking cue" and "taking inspiration"?

"Taking cue" often implies a more direct or specific influence, whereas "taking inspiration" suggests a broader, more general influence that sparks creativity or motivation.