took on board

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took on board" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has accepted or considered information, advice, or a suggestion. Example: "After the meeting, we took on board the feedback from our clients to improve our services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We took on board their comments and in some cases made changes to the programmes".

The Guardian

We took on board all comments received in response to the consultation on licensing.

The Guardian

We took on board feedback from Jessy and a range of experts to ensure we found the right balance.

The Guardian

I'm not going to deny that but I was pleased they took on board what we talked about because the easy thing in football is talking.

The Guardian - Sport

He took on board how Yasir targets the stumps and pads, inviting batsmen, when he pitches deliberately short, to cut or hit across the line, rather than recognise the bowler's skill in hurrying the delivery on.

The Guardian - Sport

Campus Glasgow, which had advertised the controversial act as appearing on 2 April for a "live PA, meet & greet and photo opportunity", said in a statement: "We took on board all comments we received and realised that there was too much negativity towards the act.

The Guardian

"We took on board lots of advice and plenty of opinions from people within the game and the message came back loud and clear that Aidy was the best candidate for the job.

BBC

He added: "Ultimately, President Xi took on board what the vice president laid out.

Los Angeles Times

Turning to the philosophy of science, it was clear by the end of the 1980s that the centreground was now occupied by a new realism, one that took on board lessons from general philosophy of language and epistemology, in particular referentialist semantics and a belief in the possibility of objective knowledge and justification.

SEP

Daniel didn't plan for the future or what it holds, he was very much a person for living life to the full, and I think that's one of the characteristics I took on board when I lost him.

Independent

"They took on board Niall's offer to play in only the one-day internationals in Kenya, join the squad for part of the South Africa camp, and then the ICC World T20 Qualifier.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about incorporating feedback, consider using "took on board" to emphasize that the feedback was not just received but also acted upon. This can strengthen the perception of responsiveness and adaptability.

Common error

Avoid using "took on board" if you simply mean that someone heard or acknowledged something. This phrase implies a deeper level of consideration and acceptance than mere acknowledgement. Using it when only acknowledgement is meant can weaken your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "took on board" functions as a verb phrase indicating the acceptance or integration of information, advice, or suggestions. Ludwig's examples show its common usage in contexts where consideration and adoption of ideas are emphasized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "took on board" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the acceptance and integration of information or advice. According to Ludwig, it’s widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that you intend to convey not just acknowledgment but also a thoughtful consideration and willingness to act upon the received information. Alternatives such as "accepted the advice" or "considered the suggestion" might be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accepted the advice

Focuses specifically on accepting guidance.

considered the suggestion

Highlights the act of thoughtful consideration.

integrated the feedback

Emphasizes the incorporation of feedback into a system or process.

absorbed the information

Implies a thorough understanding and retention of information.

acknowledged the point

Highlights the recognition of a specific argument or idea.

internalized the lesson

Suggests a deep understanding and personal adoption of a lesson.

embraced the concept

Implies enthusiastic acceptance of a new idea.

implemented the plan

Focuses on putting a plan into action after considering it.

followed the recommendation

Highlights adherence to a suggested course of action.

accommodated the request

Indicates making adjustments to fulfill a request.

FAQs

What does "took on board" mean?

The phrase "took on board" means to have considered something, such as advice or a suggestion, and decided to accept it or act upon it. It implies a level of thoughtful consideration and integration.

How can I use "took on board" in a sentence?

You can use "took on board" to describe someone accepting and acting on advice. For example: "The team "took on board" the manager's suggestions and improved their performance."

What are some alternatives to "took on board"?

Alternatives to "took on board" include "accepted the advice", "considered the suggestion", or "integrated the feedback". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "take on board" the same as "get on board"?

No, "take on board" and "get on board" have different meanings. "Take on board" means to accept or consider something, while "get on board" means to join or support a cause or project.