taking inspiration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking inspiration" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of drawing ideas or motivation from a source, such as art, literature, or experiences. Example: "The artist was taking inspiration from nature to create her latest masterpiece."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is taking inspiration from Trump's populist success.

The New Yorker

Olivier Messiaen had been taking inspiration from birdsong for decades.

The New Yorker

This, for the record, is taking inspiration from the masculine wardrobe one step too far.

Independent

Taking inspiration from 1980s and 90s "fitness fever", "retrocise" is the latest way to exercise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They're Canadian!" Lucius's team is taking inspiration for their routine from the films of Alfred Hitchcock.

The Guardian - Music

He will be taking inspiration, perhaps, from shoppers on Kensington High Street.

The Guardian - Business

Sounds like he's been taking inspiration from the man himself; this is beautifully put.

The Guardian - Books

It finds the 24-year-old taking inspiration from the 80s.

The Guardian - Music

Galindo said he was taking inspiration from Magic Johnson, another star athlete who is H.I.V. positive.

The New York Times - Sports

Taking inspiration from Mirchandani, what other simple but potentially highly-effective ideas are out there?

The Guardian

For example, we might try to keep work e-mails brief, taking inspiration from Twitter's 140-character limit.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "taking inspiration", always acknowledge the original source to give credit where it's due and avoid plagiarism. Be transparent about your influences.

Common error

Don't simply copy; use "taking inspiration" as a springboard for your own unique ideas. Transform the source material rather than directly replicating it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking inspiration" functions as a verb phrase, often used as part of a larger verb construction (e.g., 'is taking inspiration', 'was taking inspiration'). It describes the action of deriving ideas or motivation from a particular source. Ludwig confirms this usage with various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

29%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taking inspiration" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent verb phrase used to denote the act of deriving ideas or motivation from a source. Ludwig AI confirms this, offering numerous examples across diverse contexts. It maintains a generally neutral register, fitting comfortably within news, media, scientific, and even informal communications. While the phrase is valuable, it's important to use it responsibly by giving credit to original sources and building upon your inspiration to create something uniquely your own. Remember to transform your inspirations, rather than merely replicating them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drawing inspiration

Focuses more on the act of extracting ideas.

gaining inspiration

Emphasizes the process of acquiring new ideas or motivation.

finding inspiration

Highlights the discovery aspect of inspiration.

seeking inspiration

Implies an active search for ideas.

being inspired

Shifts the focus to the state of being influenced.

getting ideas from

A more informal way of expressing the same concept.

modeling after

Suggests a more direct imitation or replication.

emulating

Implies a conscious effort to imitate or surpass.

following the lead of

Focuses on adopting the methods or strategies of another.

building upon

Highlights the aspect of expanding or improving existing ideas.

FAQs

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

You can use "taking inspiration" to describe the act of drawing ideas or motivation from a particular source. For example, "The architect was "taking inspiration" from nature when designing the building".

What can I say instead of "taking inspiration"?

You can use alternatives like "drawing inspiration", "gaining inspiration", or "finding inspiration" depending on the specific context.

Is it okay to say "take inspiration from"?

Yes, "take inspiration from" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It means to be influenced or motivated by something or someone.

What is the difference between "taking inspiration" and "copying"?

"Taking inspiration" involves drawing ideas from a source and then transforming or building upon them to create something new and original. "Copying", on the other hand, involves directly replicating someone else's work without significant modification or attribution.