The expression take account of is a formal collocation meaning to consider or include particular facts, circumstances, or factors when making a decision, calculation, or judgment. It implies that the subject is giving weight to specific information so that the outcome is accurate or fair.
While the individual words retain much of their literal sense, the phrase is considered semi-idiomatic because it functions as a fixed unit. In terms of register, it is primarily formal or neutral, appearing frequently in academic writing, legal documents, journalism, and professional business contexts.
The grammatical pattern is verb + noun + preposition. It is almost always followed by a noun phrase that represents the factor being considered. Unlike some phrasal verbs, this expression is not separable; you cannot place the object between "take" and "account" (e.g., "take the facts account of" is incorrect).
Typical objects include "factors," "needs," "differences," "costs," or "concerns." Using the wrong preposition is the most common error; the phrase strictly requires of. Using "on," "for," or "to" after "account" in this specific context will sound unnatural to a native speaker.
These examples are sourced from take account of on Ludwig.guru.
"Take account of all viewpoints." — theguardian.com
"We take account of exchange rates as a whole." — theguardian.com
"Parliament has required us to take account of European decisions." — theguardian.com
"It doesn't take account of the needs of our farmers." — nytimes.com
"Calculations take account of sample weights." — biomedcentral.com
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| take into account | The most direct synonym; slightly more common in US English and allows for object placement at the end. |
| consider | A neutral, single-word alternative suitable for any register. |
| factor in | More informal/idiomatic; often used when discussing numerical variables or specific conditions. |
| allow for | Used specifically when planning for a possibility or a future requirement. |
| bear in mind | A mental directive often used as a reminder rather than a formal calculation. |
| give weight to | Emphasizes the importance or influence of a specific piece of evidence. |
| Expression | Meaning | Grammatical Pattern | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| take account of | To consider or include specific factors | Verb + Noun + Preposition | Formal / Neutral |
No, the phrase take account of is generally considered inseparable and must stay together before the object. While you can modify the noun (e.g., "take full account of"), you cannot place the direct object between the verb and the prepositional phrase.
Both expressions are nearly identical in meaning, but take into account is more versatile because it allows the object to be placed either in the middle or at the end. In contrast, take account of is slightly more formal and always requires the object to follow the preposition of.
No, this is a common mistake; you must use the correct preposition which is always of. If you want to explain a reason or a portion of a whole, you should use the phrasal verb account for without the verb "take."
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