take for granted

Meaning

To fail to appreciate something or someone because you are so used to them being there. It can also mean to assume that something is true or will happen without checking, simply because it is normal or expected.

Examples

• We often take our health for granted until we get sick.

  We often take our health for granted until we get sick.

• Don't take your friends for granted; let them know you appreciate them.

  Don't take your friends for granted; let them know you appreciate them.

• I took it for granted that you would come to my party, so I didn't invite you formally.

  I took it for granted that you would come to my party, so I didn't invite you formally.

• She felt taken for granted at work because her boss never praised her efforts.

  She felt taken for granted at work because her boss never praised her efforts.

• He takes his parents' financial support for granted and never says thank you.

  He takes his parents' financial support for granted and never says thank you.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I take granted that you will help me.

  ✓ I take it for granted that you will help me.

  When followed by a 'that' clause, you must include the pronoun 'it' ('take it for granted that...').

• ✗ She takes for granted her husband.

  ✓ She takes her husband for granted.

  The person or thing being undervalued must go between 'take' and 'for granted' (take [someone/something] for granted).

Related Expressions

Practice

• It's easy to ___ clean drinking water until you travel to a place without it.

  💡 Fail to appreciate because it's always available

  Show answer

  take for granted

• I took ___ that we were meeting at the same place, so I didn't ask.

  💡 Assumed it to be true (include the pronoun)

  Show answer

  it for granted