taking cues from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking cues from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are referencing something that you have learnt from or copied in some way. For example, you could say "I'm taking cues from my colleague's design process to improve my own work".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They're very much taking cues from Apple.

The New York Times - Tech

Mainstream manufacturers are taking cues from aromatherapists, too.

The New York Times - Food

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

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian

Company officials said they were taking cues from what travelers expect from airlines in similar circumstances.

The New York Times

Taking cues from gnarled old death songs like TB Blues, Morrison conjures something entirely idiosyncratic.

The Guardian - Music

So we decided to back off and began taking cues from him.

The New York Times - Health

It may be September, but the weather is still taking cues from summer.

The New York Times - Food

The new carriers are clearly taking cues from their short-haul counterparts.

The New York Times - Travel

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

The New Yorker

But bio design is not about merely taking cues from organic structures and operations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taking cues from", clearly identify the source you are learning from and explain how it influences the subject.

Common error

Avoid vaguely stating that something is "taking cues from" a broad category without specifying the exact aspect being emulated. For example, instead of saying "the design is taking cues from nature", specify "the texture is taking cues from the bark of a tree".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking cues from" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone or something is deriving inspiration, guidance, or techniques from a particular source. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taking cues from" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression that indicates derivation of influence or inspiration. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is prevalent in News & Media and Science, and suitable for neutral communicative contexts. When writing, ensure you clearly specify the source of influence to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking inspiration from

Similar to "drawing inspiration from", but emphasizes the act of receiving inspiration.

drawing inspiration from

Focuses on the inspirational aspect of the source, implying a more creative adaptation.

learning from

Highlights the educational aspect, suggesting a process of gaining knowledge or skills.

following the lead of

Suggests a more directive influence, where one is guided by the example of another.

imitating

Emphasizes direct replication or mirroring of the source's actions or qualities.

modeling after

Indicates a structured approach to copying or adapting elements from a specific model.

basing on

Indicates that something is based or founded on something else.

emulating

Implies a conscious effort to match or surpass the achievements of the source.

getting ideas from

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of idea generation, suggesting a source of inspiration or concepts.

copying

Focuses on the act of making an exact copy of something.

FAQs

How to use "taking cues from" in a sentence?

Use "taking cues from" to indicate that something is inspired by, modeled after, or learning from something else. For example, "The new restaurant is "taking cues from" French cuisine".

What can I say instead of "taking cues from"?

You can use alternatives like "drawing inspiration from", "learning from", or "following the lead of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "take cues from"?

Yes, "take cues from" is the base form of the verb phrase. "Taking cues from" is the present participle form, often used in continuous tenses or as a gerund.

What's the difference between "taking inspiration from" and "taking cues from"?

"Taking cues from" suggests a more direct influence or modeling, while "taking inspiration from" implies a broader, more creative influence.