I took them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I took them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you took something from one place to another, or that you removed something from its existing location. For example: "I saw a pile of books on the table, so I took them to the library."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I took them all.

The New York Times

I took them out.

The New York Times - Books

I took them anyway.

The New Yorker

So I took them seriously".

Independent

I took them for granted.

The New York Times - Arts

Somehow, I took them personally".

The New York Times

I took them everywhere.

The Guardian

I took them stoned.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I took them skating.

The Guardian

I took them gratefully.

The New York Times - Magazine

I took them to the alley.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “I took them” to clearly indicate that you physically moved or acquired something from one place to another.

Common error

Avoid using “I took them” when you mean you 'understood' them. Instead, use phrases like "I understood them" or "I grasped their meaning" to convey comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I took them" primarily functions as a statement of action, indicating that the speaker performed the act of taking something. Ludwig confirms its usability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

26%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I took them" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to describe the action of taking or acquiring something. As Ludwig confirms, its common usage spans various contexts, including News & Media and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the physical action of taking and moving something. Consider using alternative phrases like "I received them" or "I accepted them" when a different nuance is needed. Avoid using it when you want to express comprehension; instead, opt for "I understood them". Overall, "I took them" is a reliable and clear way to convey the act of taking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I received them

Focuses on the act of receiving rather than actively taking.

I accepted them

Emphasizes agreement or willingness in receiving something.

I grabbed them

Suggests a quick and forceful taking of something.

I obtained them

Implies effort or process in acquiring something.

I secured them

Highlights the act of making something safe or certain after taking it.

I procured them

Suggests obtaining something with care or effort, often for a specific purpose.

I collected them

Implies gathering multiple items together.

I carried them

Focuses on the action of transporting items.

I bore them

Implies enduring or carrying something, often with difficulty.

I underwent them

Indicates experiencing a process or procedure.

FAQs

How can I use “I took them” in a sentence?

You can use “I took them” to describe physically moving objects, like in the sentence, "I took them from the shelf and put them in the box" or to mean that you acted upon an opportunity or advantage.

What can I say instead of “I took them”?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I received them", "I accepted them", or "I grabbed them".

Is it correct to say "I've took them"?

No, the correct form is "I've taken them". "Took" is the simple past tense, while "taken" is the past participle, which is used with auxiliary verbs like 'have'.

What's the difference between “I took them” and “I brought them”?

“I took them” implies moving something away from a reference point, while “I brought them” implies moving something towards a reference point. For example, "I took them home" means I moved them from somewhere else to my home, while "I brought them here" means I moved them from somewhere else to this location.