I took off.

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I took off." is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has left a place or departed, often suddenly or quickly. Example: "After the meeting ended, I took off to catch my train."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I took off my shoes".

The New Yorker

"I took off running toward the corner".

The New York Times

I took off my head.

The Guardian

I took off my coat.

The New York Times - Magazine

I took off my clothes.

The New York Times

I took off my jacket and shirt.

The Guardian

I took off my jester's hat.

The New Yorker

I took off all the doors.

The New York Times

So I took off all my clothes.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I took off and it worked out.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm scared!" Jonny barked, "Just go!" I took off.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I took off" when you want to convey a sense of suddenness or quick departure. It's suitable for informal and narrative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I took off" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "I departed" or "I left" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I took off" functions as an intransitive verb phrase indicating the action of departing or leaving a place. Ludwig's examples show it used in narrative contexts to describe a quick or sudden departure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I took off" is a commonly used phrase to indicate a departure or leaving, often with a sense of quickness or suddenness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for informal and narrative writing, it is best to use alternative more formal phrases, such as "I departed" or "I left", in professional or academic contexts. The phrase's function is primarily to describe a physical departure or abandonment of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I left.

A simple and direct way to express leaving.

I departed.

Uses a more formal verb to indicate leaving.

I went away.

A simple and general way to express leaving a place.

I made my exit.

Implies a deliberate or planned departure.

I took my leave.

A more formal way to announce one's departure.

I cleared out.

Suggests a complete removal of oneself or belongings.

I withdrew.

Suggests a more formal or strategic retreat.

I bailed out.

Informal way of saying someone left a difficult situation.

I absconded.

Indicates a sudden and secretive departure, often to avoid detection.

I peeled out.

Implies a quick and often reckless departure, particularly in a vehicle.

FAQs

What does "I took off" mean?

The phrase "I took off" generally means that someone left a place or departed, often suddenly or quickly.

What can I say instead of "I took off"?

You can use alternatives like "I departed", "I left", or "I made my exit" depending on the context.

Is "I took off" formal or informal?

"I took off" is generally considered an informal phrase. In formal contexts, it's better to use alternatives such as "I departed" or "I withdrew".

How to use "I took off" in a sentence?

You can use "I took off" to describe a quick or sudden departure, as in "The meeting ended, and "I took off" to catch my train".