take initiative vs take an initiative

Both 'take initiative' and 'take an initiative' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Take initiative' is more commonly used to mean to act independently and without prompting, while 'take an initiative' is used when referring to a specific action or project. The choice between the two depends on the intended meaning.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1267 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"take initiative"

This phrase is used to mean to act independently and without prompting. It is often used in the context of taking action or responsibility without being asked.

Examples:

Employees are encouraged to take initiative in solving problems.
She always takes initiative in organizing team events.
Taking initiative is an important quality in a leader.
He took initiative and started a new project.
Don't wait for instructions, just take initiative.

Show examples from the web [+]

Jan 13, 2022 ... Learning how to take initiative in your workplace makes you a proactive team member that everyone wants to work with. Read these 10 steps to ...
Feb 3, 2023 ... Learn why employers value self-starters and 9 effective ways to take initiative in the workplace.
Six ways you can take initiative in any job. 1. Understand the business. Learning what your company does and how it functions will help you better ...
Aug 21, 2019 ... When it comes to creating positive change, these employees don't need to be told to take initiative. Research confirms that, compared with ...
Do you take initiative like Helen? That is, do you make things happen for yourself and for your team? Or, do you wait for someone else to tell you what to ...
When employees take initiative and do a good job, give them positive feedback. This feedback can encourage them to keep up the excellent work and let them know ...
Nov 18, 2022 ... Find out how to take initiative at work, and see the skills you need to excel, with two examples of common interview questions and answers ...
Dec 16, 2016 ... 48 ways you can take initiative in your life and work: 1. Make a habit of asking “what if” instead of accepting the status-quo.

Alternatives:

show initiative
demonstrate initiative
exercise initiative
display initiative
act on one's own initiative

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

"take an initiative"

This phrase is used when referring to a specific action or project that is being undertaken. It implies a more formal or structured approach to starting something.

Examples:

She decided to take an initiative to improve workplace communication.
The team took an initiative to reduce waste in the office.
Taking an initiative to address customer complaints is important for the company.
He took an initiative to launch a new marketing campaign.
The students took an initiative to clean up the school grounds.

Show examples from the web [+]

Someone must take an initiative to resolve this serious problem.
Paragraph 1b allows the President to take an initiative to act in exceptional circumstances.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, we in this House have the opportunity to take an initiative to amend the Treaties.
Consequently, I think that the European Commission should take an initiative towards the UN Security Council, so that a solution can be found for Myanmar to acquire a democratic future, although acute pressure must be exerted beforehand.
I would like to urge the Danish Presidency to take an initiative in this area.
The European Parliament should take an initiative here, and it can do that very well by sending a delegation.
The European Union has an obligation to take an initiative in this direction.
I call on you to take an initiative.
Secondly, I want to urge the Turkish government to take an initiative towards a political settlement with the Kurds.
We are therefore still in the hands of those who would like to take an initiative in this regard.
I am here to take an initiative that I hope, with your help, will defuse the tensions and allow serious negotiations to start.
Unfortunately, this is not yet legislation in the true sense of the word, but an attempt to invite the Commission to take an initiative.
Asks the incoming Presidency whether it is time to take an initiative in the whole area;
There is a way of shoring up the Greek budget, and it is simple: the European Union should take an initiative aimed at disarmament in the region.
As I know, Mr President, that you support this policy, I should like you to take an initiative and bring this to the attention of your counterparts in the parliaments of these countries.
In addition, I gather from the agency - because I have not read the letter - that our President is being asked to do something improper, which is to take an initiative in defence of the Italian Parliament.
Will the Council, therefore, take an initiative to launch an independent inquiry into the causes of the death of Mr Milosevic?
Will the Commission take an initiative on publishing in an open and transparent EU register the names of food business operators that do not comply with legislation in this area?
I asked specifically whether the Commissioner is prepared to take an initiative to amend Regulation 1103 of 11 June 1997.This regulation makes a number of provisions on the introduction of the euro.
Calls on the Commission and Council to take an initiative in favour of the stabilisation of export earnings in developing countries, in particular in sectors which have important effects on the environment, such as cash crop production or forestry products;

Alternatives:

undertake an initiative
launch an initiative
start an initiative
begin an initiative
embark on an initiative

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take initiative vs take an initiative

"take initiative"

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