How to use "take into account"

What Does "take into account" Mean?

The expression take into account is a fixed collocation that means to consider or include a particular fact, circumstance, or detail when you are making a decision, calculation, or judgment. It implies that the information being "taken in" is a necessary component of the final outcome.

While the individual words retain some of their literal sense (bringing something into a record or 'account'), the phrase is considered semi-idiomatic. This is because "account" in this context does not refer to a bank account or a story, but rather to a mental or formal tally of factors. The register is neutral to formal, making it equally appropriate for business reports, academic papers, and serious journalism.

How to Use It

The grammatical pattern for this expression is typically verb + prepositional phrase + object or verb + object + prepositional phrase.

• Typical Objects: It is usually followed by a noun phrase (e.g., "the costs"), a 'that' clause (e.g., "that the market is volatile"), or a 'wh-' clause (e.g., "what the customer wants").
• Separability: The phrase is highly flexible. You can place the object between "take" and "into account" (e.g., "take these factors into account") or after the whole phrase (e.g., "take into account these factors"). Generally, if the object is very long or a clause, it is placed at the end for better flow.
• What sounds unnatural: Using the wrong verb (e.g., "get into account") or the wrong preposition (e.g., "take in account") will sound incorrect to native speakers.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from take into account on Ludwig.guru.

"We take into account all scenarios." — nytimes.com

"They don't take into account that"." — theguardian.com

"Take into account your audience's needs." — huffpost.com

"Clinical decisions should take into account patients' preferences." — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Did they take into account your opinion?" — biomedcentral.com

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Depending on the level of formality or the specific situation, you might want to vary your language.

Phrase	Context
consider	A more direct, single-word alternative suitable for any register.
take into consideration	Slightly more formal and wordy; often used in legal or official contexts.
bear in mind	Often used as a reminder or a warning; focuses on not forgetting a fact.
factor in	Common in mathematical, financial, or logical contexts; implies a variable in a calculation.
allow for	Specifically used when considering a possible problem or extra cost.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong Preposition: Learners often use the wrong preposition, saying 'take into account of' or 'take in account' instead of the correct take into account. Unlike the phrase "take account of," which is also correct but less common, "take into account" never uses the word "of" immediately after the phrase.
• Verb Choice: Using "make" or "give" instead of take. Phrases like "make into account" are incorrect.
• Redundancy: Adding "of" when the object follows the phrase. For example, "take into account of the weather" is a grammatical error; it should be "take into account the weather."

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
take into account	To consider a specific factor when making a decision.	Verb + (Object) + into account + (Object)	Neutral / Formal

FAQs

Can the parts of take into account be separated or must they stay together?

The phrase is separable, meaning you can place the direct object either between "take" and "into account" or at the end of the entire expression. Typically, shorter objects like pronouns go in the middle (e.g., "take it into account"), while longer clauses are placed at the end.

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What is the difference between take into account and take into consideration?

While both phrases are virtually synonymous, take into consideration is often perceived as more formal or bureaucratic. In most professional and academic writing, take into account is preferred for its relative conciseness and versatility.

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Is it correct to say take in account or take into account of?

No, both are common errors; you must use the preposition "into" and avoid adding "of" after the phrase. Learners often confuse the expression with the similar-sounding take account of, but the standard idiom is always take into account followed directly by the object.