I took around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I took around" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey the action of showing someone around a place, but it is incomplete and unclear. Example: "I took around my friend to see the new art exhibit."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The Capricorn journey was a natural sequel to an earlier trip I took around the Equator.

The Guardian - Travel

Nevertheless, the final design is a combination of things that were inspired by the long walks I took around the area".

The New York Times

To the Editor: "Earth's Beautiful Fury, Up Close" (Jan . 12, about Hawaii and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, reminded me of a superb one-week bike tour I took around the Big Island of Hawaii about nine years ago.

The New York Times - Travel

The rail trip was, in fact, one of the highlights of a series of long journeys I took around the planet last year as I zigzagged along the Tropic of Capricorn for a BBC TV series.

The Guardian - Travel

I'm not denying that you get more pleasure from reading a physical book; I love to keep books – I have a battered copy of Proust that I took around South America when I was 19.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are a few cringeworthy moments, including some offhanded homophobia and perhaps too much self-justification from Flavor Flav (most famously, "Put my address in the paper cause I smacked that girl / She's the mother of my kids I took around the world").

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

So all in, I take around 15 forms of medication a day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Because of my work, I take around 30 flights a year, and things often change at the last moment.

The Guardian - Business

"I've got one that I take around the country called Just a Laugh a Minute, but the one I do in Edinburgh is called Nicholas Parsons Happy Hourr, which is me doing stand-up and having guests.

Independent

There was a holiday in between, so I'd say it took around 3 months.

Forbes

I then took around 20 shots as I approached him before he skipped onto the neighbour's fence and shook himself as per this shot!" He added.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use more precise verbs like "showed", "guided", or "escorted" to clearly convey the action of assisting someone in navigating a location. For example, instead of saying "I took my friend around the city", say "I showed my friend around the city."

Common error

Avoid using "took around" without a direct object specifying who or what was being guided. The phrase is incomplete and requires a subject to clarify the action, such as "I took her around".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I took around" functions as a verb phrase where "took" is the main verb and "around" is an adverbial particle. However, it's often considered grammatically incomplete without a direct object specifying who or what was taken around. Ludwig indicates that this usage is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I took around" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. As Ludwig points out, it often sounds incomplete and lacks clarity. While there are some examples of its usage in news and media sources, it's recommended to opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "showed around", "guided around", or "gave a tour". Choosing these alternatives will ensure that your writing is clear and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I showed someone around

Replaces "took" with "showed" to clearly indicate the act of guiding someone.

I gave someone a tour

Uses "gave a tour" for a more formal and readily understood expression.

I guided someone around

Employs "guided" to emphasize direction and leadership during the tour.

I accompanied someone

Highlights the act of going with someone, offering a subtler sense of guidance.

I escorted someone

Suggests a formal accompaniment, emphasizing safety and protocol.

I walked with someone

Focuses on the physical act of walking together, less focused on guiding.

I took someone with me

Shifts the emphasis to bringing someone along, less about providing a tour.

I explored with someone

Highlights joint exploration rather than a guided tour.

I chaperoned someone

Indicates a supervisory role, guiding in a protective capacity.

I acquainted someone with

Focuses on familiarizing someone with a place, not necessarily guiding them physically.

FAQs

What's a clearer alternative to "I took around"?

Alternatives like "I showed around", "I guided around", or "I gave a tour of" are more grammatically sound and clearly convey the meaning of guiding someone through a place.

How can I use "show around" instead of "I took around"?

Replace "I took around" with "show around" followed by the person you are guiding and the location. For example, "I showed my friend around the museum" is correct.

Is "I took him around" grammatically correct?

While "I took him around" might be understood, it is still considered informal and less precise. Opt for clearer phrasing like "I showed him around".

What's the difference between "I took around" and "I showed around"?

"I showed around" is grammatically standard and clearly means you guided someone, while "I took around" is considered non-standard and can sound incomplete. Use "I showed around" for clarity.