I took that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I took that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that you have accepted or received something, whether it be a physical object, a comment, or an idea. Example: "When she offered me the book, I took that as a sign that she wanted to share her favorite stories with me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I took that personally.

The New York Times - Sports

I took that seriously.

The New Yorker

I took that to mean shell shock.

The New Yorker

"I took that sticker off straightaway".

The New Yorker

Blinkered, I took that to mean".

Independent

For some reason I took that advice.

The New York Times

I took that away from them".

The New York Times

I took that as a good sign.

The New Yorker

I took that as a great remark.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I took that as a yes.

The New York Times

"I took that to heart," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear what "that" refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "I took that" when the reference isn't immediately clear. Instead, specify what you took. For example, instead of "I took that," say "I took the opportunity" or "I took the advice."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I took that" functions as a declaration of acceptance, understanding, or direct action performed as a result of something. It is used to show how the speaker responded to a situation or comment, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I took that" is a versatile expression used to indicate a response, acceptance, or understanding of something. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal settings. While the phrase is generally clear, it's important to ensure that the reference of "that" is unambiguous to avoid confusion. Alternatives like "I accepted that" or "I understood that" can offer more specificity depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I accepted that

Focuses on agreement or emotional acceptance rather than physical action.

I received that

Emphasizes the act of obtaining something, often passively.

I understood that

Highlights comprehension or grasping the meaning.

I assumed that

Indicates a belief formed without concrete proof.

I inferred that

Stresses drawing a conclusion from evidence.

I interpreted that

Implies assigning a specific meaning or significance.

I considered that

Focuses on thoughtful contemplation.

I used that

Highlights the utilization of something.

I utilized that

A more formal way of indicating the utilization of something.

I grabbed that

Indicates quick and decisive action of obtaining.

FAQs

How can I use "I took that" in a sentence?

Use "I took that" to indicate acceptance, understanding, or action based on a preceding event or statement. For instance, "She offered me the job, and "I took that" as a sign of her confidence in me."

What does "I took that to heart" mean?

"I took that to heart" means that you considered something said to you as important and it influenced you deeply. It's similar to saying "I took that seriously".

What can I say instead of "I took that" to express understanding?

To express understanding, you could use alternatives like "I understood that", "I inferred that", or "I interpreted that" depending on the context.

Is "I've taken that" grammatically different from "I took that"?

"I took that" is in the simple past tense, referring to a completed action in the past. "I've taken that" is in the present perfect tense, suggesting the action has relevance to the present. For instance, "I took that class last year" vs. "I've taken that class, so I understand the material."