had taken

USAGE SUMMARY

"had taken" is correct and is used in written English.
It is used in past perfect tense and is used when referring to something that happened in the past before another action in the past. For example, "He had taken the key before he left the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neighbors had taken notice.

The New York Times

Despair had taken hold.

The New Yorker

"Comedians had taken over..

The New York Times - Books

She had taken poison.

The New York Times

He had taken us seriously.

The New York Times

Stevie had taken that over.

The New Yorker

He had taken the limelight.

Independent

Dick had taken a tumble.

The New York Times - Travel

She had taken her knocks.

The New Yorker

The shift had taken place.

The New York Times

It had taken a while.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had taken" to clearly establish the sequence of past events, ensuring that the action occurred before another action or time in the past. For example, "By the time I arrived, she "had taken" all the cookies."

Common error

Avoid using "had taken" when simple past tense is sufficient. Overusing past perfect can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. Only use it when it's crucial to show that one action preceded another.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had taken" functions as a past perfect verb phrase. It indicates an action that was completed before another action in the past. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples showcasing its use in establishing a clear sequence of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had taken" is a grammatically correct and very common past perfect verb phrase. As Ludwig shows, it's primarily used to establish a sequence of past events, indicating an action completed before another. Its register is generally neutral, frequently appearing in news and media. When using "had taken", ensure you're establishing a clear temporal relationship and that the past perfect tense is necessary to convey the intended meaning. Ludwig's AI confirms the correctness and wide applicability of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had assumed

Focuses on the act of taking on responsibility or a role, emphasizing a prior decision or acceptance.

had undertaken

Implies starting or committing to a task or project; highlights the commencement of something.

had seized

Suggests forcefully or quickly taking control or possession, adding an element of assertiveness.

had grabbed

Conveys a quick or opportunistic act of taking, often implying a lack of formality or planning.

had procured

Indicates obtaining something, often through effort or special means, highlighting the acquisition process.

had consumed

Implies using up or destroying something, like resources or time, emphasizing depletion.

had experienced

Focuses on undergoing or encountering something, shifting the emphasis to personal exposure.

had undergone

Suggests being subjected to a process or change, highlighting a transformation or endured event.

had adopted

Implies choosing or embracing a new practice or idea, emphasizing a conscious decision to incorporate something new.

had embraced

Conveys a sense of fully accepting or supporting something, highlighting enthusiastic adoption.

FAQs

How is "had taken" used in a sentence?

"Had taken" is used to describe an action completed before another action in the past. For example, "She "had taken" the course before she started the job".

What are some alternatives to "had taken"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "had assumed", "had undertaken", or "had seized". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

When should I use "had taken" versus "took"?

Use "had taken" (past perfect) to indicate an action completed before another action in the past. Use "took" (simple past) for a single action in the past. For example, "She "had taken" the exam before I arrived", versus "She took the exam yesterday".

What's the difference between "had taken" and "has taken"?

"Had taken" is past perfect, indicating an action completed before another point in the past. "Has taken" is present perfect, indicating an action completed at some point before the present. For example, "He "had taken" his medicine before dinner" versus "He has taken his medicine today".