action take place

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'action take place' is not correct and is not typically used in written English.
A more common way to say this is "action is taking place" or "actions are taking place". For example: "When the police arrived, action was taking place in the nearby park."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

According to senior officials in the U.S. government, why won't any military action take place until next year?

The New York Times

Ortrud is the daughter of Radbod, pagan king of Frisia - the action take place in the Low Countries in the latter part of the 10th century.

The Guardian - Music

"There have been a couple of very powerful members who have not been willing to see that action take place," she said, referring to China and Russia, who vetoed the last effort at a resolution in October.

The New York Times

"There have been a couple of very powerful members who have not been willing to see that action take place," she said, referring to Russia and China, who vetoed the last attempt at a resolution in October.

The New York Times

Here's what I believe happens when a writer begins her story with an authentically realized character (as opposed to one from central casting, formed out of the necessity to see a certain preordained action take place).

The New York Times - Books

All 96 minutes of action take place in a lifeboat containing eight survivors of a ship carrying American and British passengers and the captain of a German U-boat following the sinking of both vessels during a battle in the second world war.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The action takes place in real time.

The Economist

The action takes place outdoors.

The Guardian

The action takes place in 2020.

The New York Times - Books

The action takes place in California.

The Guardian - Film

The action takes place in double-time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to events, use the correct phrasing: "action takes place" or "actions take place", ensuring subject-verb agreement. For example, "The main action takes place in the city center."

Common error

Ensure that the verb agrees with the subject when describing actions. It is a typical error to use "action take place" instead of the correct form, such as "action takes place" or "actions take place."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "action take place", though grammatically suspect, is to describe an event or process occurring. Ludwig provides examples where similar phrasing aims to denote the unfolding of events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "action take place" is generally considered grammatically incorrect; the proper forms are "action takes place" (singular action) or "actions take place" (plural actions). Ludwig AI identifies the phrasing as not entirely correct. While frequently used in contexts such as news, wiki, and formal business writing, its grammatical deficiency reduces its suitability for formal or scientific registers. Correct alternatives such as "action occurs", "action happens", and "action unfolds" provide clearer and more grammatically sound options. Therefore, writers should pay close attention to subject-verb agreement when using such phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

action occurs

Replaces 'take place' with a more direct verb for happening.

action happens

Uses a common verb to indicate the occurrence of action.

action unfolds

Implies a gradual revealing or development of events.

action commences

Suggests a formal beginning or start of action.

action ensues

Indicates that action follows as a consequence or result.

steps are implemented

Focuses on the enactment of a series of actions.

measures are enacted

Emphasizes the formal introduction of actions.

an event transpires

Highlights the occurrence of a significant happening.

events unfold

Describes a series of happenings that develop over time.

process is initiated

Focuses on the start of a series of actions that form a process.

FAQs

How to correctly use the phrase "action take place" in a sentence?

The phrase "action take place" is grammatically incorrect. Correct alternatives include "action takes place" or "actions take place", depending on whether you're referring to a singular or plural subject.

What are some alternatives to "action take place"?

Consider using alternatives such as "action occurs", "action happens", or "action unfolds" for similar meanings. For example: "action occurs", "action happens", or "action unfolds".

Which is correct, "action take place" or "action takes place"?

"Action takes place" is the correct form, as it ensures subject-verb agreement. "Action take place" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "action takes place" and "actions take place"?

"Action takes place" refers to a single action, while "actions take place" refers to multiple actions. Choose the form that agrees with the number of actions you're describing.