taking messages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking messages" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of receiving or recording messages for someone else. Example: "I will be taking messages while you are out of the office." Alternative expressions include "receiving messages" and "collecting messages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Mr. Morales could not immediately be reached, and his cellphone was not taking messages.

The New York Times

None of them had phones; some relied on a granny taking messages.

The Guardian - Film

And its days were numbered when a weakness with, erm, taking messages was revealed.

The Guardian - Tech

Jibo now offers adults, kids and developers helpful features, like taking messages, snapping photos and making video calls.

The Guardian

(2) I started taking messages for the 17 staff at the time, assigning the piano to them all because they only had one at the time.

The Guardian - Music

"You'll get no fucking plasters from me," muttered the policeman who was taking messages between the interview room and the room next door, where they were in contact with the staff in Oslo.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Mobiles took messages.

Independent

"You get to take messages for the secretary who never went to college".

The New York Times

It fell to her to summarise, cajole, narrow differences, take messages back and forth.

The Guardian

Detective Harry Bosch has a Los Angeles phone number (323-244-5631) that takes messages.

The New York Times - Books

Myoelectric sensors are used to take messages from the muscles and uses them to control the hand.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking messages" specifically when you are acting as an intermediary for someone else who is currently unavailable. It implies a promise of delivery.

Common error

Avoid using "taking messages" when you actually mean you are the one initiating the communication. If you are the sender, use "sending messages" or "dispatching updates" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking messages" functions as a transitive verb phrase consisting of the present participle "taking" and the plural direct object "messages". In the examples provided by Ludwig, it consistently denotes the active role of an intermediary who captures incoming communication for a third party.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking messages" is a grammatically standard and highly useful expression for describing the act of receiving information on behalf of someone else. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is common across reputable news outlets and professional documentation. It is often used to describe administrative work, the role of automated systems or personal favors. While alternatives like <a href="/s/receiving+messages" target="_blank" rel="alternative">receiving messages can be used to vary your writing, "taking messages" remains the most idiomatic choice for highlighting the intermediary nature of the task. Whether used in an office setting or a casual conversation, it effectively communicates reliability and communication management.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receiving messages

Shifts the focus from the active process of taking the message to the state of getting it.

collecting messages

Implies a gathering process, often over a period of time.

recording messages

Emphasizes the act of writing or storing the communication for later retrieval.

fielding messages

Suggests a more active or defensive role in managing a high volume of inquiries.

handling inquiries

A more professional and broader alternative suitable for business settings.

taking calls

Focuses specifically on the telephone medium rather than the resulting message.

accepting messages

A slightly more passive or formal way to indicate willingness to receive information.

transcribing messages

Highly specific to the act of writing down word-for-word what is said.

passing on messages

Emphasizes the second part of the process: delivering the information to the final recipient.

picking up messages

More informal, often referring to checking a voicemail or physical inbox.

FAQs

How to use "taking messages" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe clerical tasks, such as: "She spent her morning "taking messages" for the executive team while the receptionist was away."

What can I say instead of "taking messages"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "<a href="/s/receiving+messages" target="_blank" rel="alternative">receiving messages", "<a href="/s/handling+inquiries" target="_blank" rel="alternative">handling inquiries" or "<a href="/s/collecting+messages" target="_blank" rel="alternative">collecting messages".

Is it "taking a message" or "taking messages"?

Both are correct. Use "<a href="/s/taking+a+message" target="_blank" rel="alternative">taking a message" for a specific single instance and "taking messages" for a continuous task or multiple items.

What is the difference between "taking messages" and "receiving messages"?

The phrase "taking messages" typically implies you are an intermediary recording information for another person, whereas "<a href="/s/receiving+messages" target="_blank" rel="alternative">receiving messages" is broader and can refer to getting them directly for yourself.