taking for granted that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking for granted that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express the acceptance of a fact or idea as being true without any proof or consideration of the contrary. For example: Taking for granted that the best way to have a successful presentation is to be well-prepared, I spent several days researching the topic and gathering materials.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

They are probably taking for granted that Congress has done the research.

The New York Times

"We're coming to the ballpark now expecting to win, and not taking for granted that we're going to," Torre said.

The New York Times - Sports

Then, Mr. Bernanke devoted most of his remarks to establishing the need for action, largely taking for granted that the Fed had the power to improve the economy.

The New York Times

"Taking for granted that women are vain and shallow, he interpreted his observations to build up an argument that inevitably confirmed his original assumption".

The Guardian

But I also suspect a surprising kind of complacency: Despite their longstanding struggle to win political rights from Israel, Palestinians may be taking for granted that the land around them, and its buried heritage, is theirs.

The New York Times

In "The New Basics," the tone is chatty, informal, taking for granted that the readers — women, mostly — know the old basics: what should be in the kitchen, what kinds of machines to use, how to handle a knife.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

It often seems to be taken for granted that numbers produce effects and that practices of accounting enhance authority.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

Power, that so many of us take for granted, that should not be withheld from others.

The Guardian

Since Hume, philosophers have taken for granted that causal questions are largely empirical.

SEP

This line of response takes for granted that (i) and (ii) are satisfied.

SEP

While Scull runs around declaiming — "The tragedy of man is boredom; boredom!" — his bored wife slithers in and out of hallways and parlors and bedrooms, taking for granted that she will sleep with every man she sees just as most of us take for granted that there will be Kraft American Singles when we go to the supermarket.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking for granted that" when you want to indicate that something is being accepted as true without question or further examination. This is particularly useful when highlighting a potential oversight or unacknowledged assumption.

Common error

While "taking for granted that" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse in formal writing can make your argument seem less rigorous. Consider using more precise language to articulate assumptions and premises.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking for granted that" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a dependent clause that expresses an assumption or premise. This clause typically provides context for a main clause, indicating something accepted as true without explicit proof or questioning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taking for granted that" is a commonly used conjunction phrase that introduces an assumption or premise. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound. It functions to establish shared understanding, with a generally neutral register suitable for various writing contexts, including news, scientific papers, and business communication. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain rigor. As supported by Ludwig's examples, alternatives like "assuming that" or "given that" can be used for a more precise tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assuming that

Direct synonym focusing on the act of assumption.

presuming that

Similar to assuming, but implies a slightly stronger belief.

given that

Highlights the known information on which an assumption is based.

on the assumption that

Formal rephrasing of 'assuming that'.

under the premise that

Emphasizes the logical foundation for the assumption.

with the understanding that

Implies a mutual agreement or shared belief.

accepting that

Focuses on accepting a statement or situation as true.

supposing that

Expresses a hypothetical condition or assumption.

considering that

Takes into account some facts or circumstances to reach a conclusion.

in the belief that

Highlights the belief as the basis for the assumption.

FAQs

How can I use "taking for granted that" in a sentence?

You can use "taking for granted that" to introduce an assumption or premise that is not being questioned. For example, "Taking for granted that the project will be completed on time, we can begin planning the next phase."

What's a more formal alternative to "taking for granted that"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "given that", "assuming that", or "on the assumption that" to convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

Is it correct to say "take it for granted that" instead of "taking for granted that"?

While "take it for granted that" is grammatically correct, "taking for granted that" is often used to introduce a specific point or assumption in an ongoing discussion or analysis. "Take it for granted that" is more general.

What's the difference between "assuming that" and "taking for granted that"?

"Assuming that" suggests a conscious decision to accept something as true for the sake of argument, while "taking for granted that" implies a more passive acceptance, often without critical examination. The nuance depends on context.