Meaning & use
take me for granted
Last updated
Meanings
phraseidiom
to fail to appreciate someone or something because you expect them to always be there
Grammar: The object comes between 'take' and 'for granted': take me/him/your friends for granted. You can also say 'take it for granted that...' for a belief.
Patterns
- take someone for granted
- take something for granted
- take it for granted that ...
After years of being ignored, she felt that her family took her for granted.
He took his wife for granted and never thanked her for everything she did.
Don't take your health for granted; you never know when it might change.
phraseidiom
to believe that something is true without checking or questioning it
Grammar: Often used with 'it' and a 'that' clause: take it for granted that something is true.
Patterns
- take it for granted that ...
- take something for granted
We took it for granted that the bus would arrive on time, but it was late.
She took for granted that everyone would agree with her plan.
You shouldn't take it for granted that your job will always be there.
Common combinations
- take someone for granted
- He never realized he was taking his best friend for granted.
- take something for granted
- We often take clean water for granted.
- take it for granted that
- I took it for granted that you would come to the party.
- feel taken for granted
- Many nurses feel taken for granted by the government.
Synonyms and how they differ
- undervalue
- More formal and general; it means not recognizing the true worth of someone or something, but it does not carry the emotional sense of expecting them to always be there.
- assume
- Used for the second sense only; it means to believe something without proof, and does not suggest lack of appreciation.
Opposites
Commonly confused: take me for granted or take for granite?
take me for granted vs take for granite
This is a common misspelling based on the stone 'granite'. The correct phrase uses 'granted', which comes from 'grant' (to allow or accept).
Practice
She felt that her boss _____ for granted, so she started looking for a new job.
Choose one answer.
The object pronoun 'her' comes between 'took' and 'for granted', giving 'took her for granted'. 'Took she' is wrong because 'she' is a subject pronoun, and 'took herself' changes the meaning to her taking herself for granted.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “take me for granted”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.