How to use "take something into account"

What Does "take something into account" Mean?

• The expression "take something into account" means to consider a particular fact, circumstance, or piece of information when making a decision or forming an opinion. It suggests a process of careful evaluation where various factors are weighed.
• The meaning is semi-idiomatic. While each word has its own meaning, the phrase as a whole carries a specific sense of consideration and evaluation that isn't immediately obvious from the individual words alone.
• The register is neutral to formal. It's appropriate for both professional and academic contexts, as well as everyday conversation.

How to Use It

• The grammatical pattern is: verb + noun + prepositional phrase (take + something + into account).
• Typical objects are facts, considerations, factors, circumstances, issues, or pieces of information. There are no typical complements.
• The components cannot be separated. You cannot insert words between "take" and "into" or between "into" and "account."
• It sounds unnatural to use: a different verb (e.g., make something into account), a wrong preposition (e.g., take something on account), or an inappropriate object (e.g., take the weather into account is fine, but take the chair into account is likely nonsensical unless the chair has some special relevance to a decision).

Real-World Examples

"For large undergraduate entry-level classes, it's something you need to take into account and have a strategy for," said Kyle Cranmer, an assistant professor of physics at New York University. — The New York Times

"The last 20 years have to count for something, you have to take into account the fact she stayed clean," said John Hutchens, an airport shuttle bus driver who lives in suburban St. Paul. — The New York Times

"That's something we have to take into account." — The New York Times - Sports

"Even the disposition of the caller is something they take into account when sharing the info with police or other responders – e.g., the person sounds "panicked," or "calm," or "nonsensical," or is slurring their speech, etc., all of which can point to things like a person's mental states or possible medical condition." — TechCrunch

"Money: Who pays for the date is always something to take into account." — WikiHow

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/take+something+into+account

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
consider something	A more direct and concise alternative.
bear something in mind	Emphasizes remembering something important.
factor something in	Implies a more mathematical or analytical approach.
give weight to something	Suggests assessing the importance of something.
make allowance for	Indicates taking something (usually a negative factor) into consideration and adjusting expectations accordingly.
reckon with	Often used when dealing with a powerful or significant force or factor.
keep in view	More formal, suggesting continuous awareness.

Common Mistakes

• A common mistake is using the phrase without the 'into' or substituting it with a different preposition such as 'on'. For example, saying "take something on account" or "take something account" is incorrect.
• Another error is using an inappropriate verb, such as "make something into account" instead of "take something into account".
• You also cannot separate the phrase, e.g., "take fully into account something".

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
take something into account	To consider or remember something important when making a decision or judgment.	verb + noun + prepositional phrase	Neutral to Formal

FAQs

Can the parts of "take something into account" be separated?

No, the parts of the expression "take something into account" cannot be separated. It's crucial to keep the phrase intact to maintain its correct meaning and grammatical structure. Inserting words within the phrase will make it sound unnatural and incorrect.

---

How does "take something into account" differ from "consider something"?

While both phrases mean to think about something, "take something into account" implies a more formal and deliberate process of evaluation, often in the context of making a decision. "Consider something" is a more general term for thinking about something, without necessarily implying a decision-making process.

---

What is the common mistake with "take something into account" and how can I avoid it?

A common mistake is omitting the word "into" or replacing it with the wrong preposition, such as "on". The correct phrase is always "take something into account", so always remember to include "into" to ensure accuracy.