was taken for granted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was taken for granted" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something or someone was not appreciated or valued as they should have been. Example: "Her contributions to the project were often taken for granted, despite the hard work she put in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing was taken for granted".

The New York Times - Arts

That was taken for granted.

The Guardian

No one was taken for granted.

The Guardian - Music

In that environment, it was taken for granted".

The New York Times

In the past, such secrecy was taken for granted.

Harvard Business Review

At the time, his musical primacy was taken for granted.

The New Yorker

When I was there working hard was taken for granted".

The Guardian - Books

Audience participation was taken for granted in the 1840s.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Thurmond's presence -- and longevity -- was taken for granted.

The New York Times

'Nothing was taken for granted in my house.

The Guardian

It was taken for granted – by parents and teachers alike.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was taken for granted" to express that something familiar or regularly available lost its perceived value due to its consistent presence. For stronger impact, follow it with a description of the consequences of this oversight.

Common error

Avoid using "was taken for granted" when describing situations where something was actively dismissed or ignored. The phrase is better suited for situations where the oversight is more passive due to familiarity or perceived reliability, rather than intentional disregard.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was taken for granted" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being treated without proper appreciation or acknowledgment. Ludwig's examples illustrate the diverse contexts in which this phrase is used, from personal relationships to societal assumptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

25%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was taken for granted" is a common expression used to indicate that something or someone was not adequately appreciated, valued, or acknowledged. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency of use across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. The phrase functions as a passive construction, often serving to express regret or highlight a past oversight. While versatile, it's important to use "was taken for granted" in situations where the oversight stems from familiarity rather than active neglect. Alternatives such as "was undervalued", "was overlooked", and "was not appreciated" offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not appreciated

Directly states the absence of gratitude or recognition.

was not recognized

Highlights the failure to acknowledge or identify something.

was undervalued

Highlights the lower-than-deserved assessment of worth.

was overlooked

Emphasizes the act of being missed or ignored.

was underestimated

Focuses on the misjudgment of value rather than lack of appreciation.

was disregarded

Stresses the lack of consideration or attention.

was seen as a given

Highlights the assumption of inevitability or certainty.

was minimized

Indicates a reduction in importance or significance.

was treated lightly

Suggests a lack of seriousness or importance.

was considered commonplace

Implies ordinariness led to a lack of special attention.

FAQs

How can I use "was taken for granted" in a sentence?

You can use "was taken for granted" to indicate that something or someone wasn't appreciated as much as they should have been. For example: "The importance of regular exercise "was taken for granted" until health issues arose".

What's a good alternative to "was taken for granted"?

Alternatives to "was taken for granted" include "was undervalued", "was overlooked", or "was not appreciated". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "was taken for granted" or "were taken for granted"?

The correct form depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "was taken for granted" with singular subjects (e.g., "His advice "was taken for granted""), and "were taken for granted" with plural subjects (e.g., "Their efforts "were taken for granted"").

What is the difference between "was underestimated" and "was taken for granted"?

"Was underestimated" implies a misjudgment of value or potential, while "was taken for granted" suggests a lack of appreciation due to familiarity or availability. Something "was underestimated" might surprise you with its capabilities, whereas something "was taken for granted" might be missed when it's gone.