he took offense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he took offense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone who feels hurt or insulted by something that was said or done. Example: "When he heard the joke, he took offense and left the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

He took offense.

The New York Times

He took offense and quit.

The New York Times

Then, police say, he took offense at Mr. Powell.

The New York Times

In the interview, Mr. Saleh said he took offense at the exclusion.

The New York Times

He took offense, the men struggled, and the officer's gun went off, killing Mr. Dorismond.

The New York Times

This may not sound all that insulting to Pugach himself, yet he took offense at being portrayed as a con man.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He shoots his mouth off any time he takes offense, about as often as Old Faithful lets off steam.

The New York Times - Books

But he said he "takes offense" that "now I have to be videoed to prove that I'm providing good care".

The New York Times

Wiser said he takes offense to the comparison.

Huffington Post

Mila then asks Anthony if his element is air, and he takes offense.

Huffington Post

He takes offense and believes I should actually be flattered by his affection.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he took offense" to describe a specific instance where someone felt insulted or affronted by a particular action or statement. It implies a personal reaction to an event.

Common error

Avoid using "he took offense" when a milder reaction is more appropriate. Consider if "he disagreed" or "he was concerned" might better reflect the situation if the reaction wasn't strongly emotional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he took offense" functions as a verb phrase indicating a reaction of feeling insulted or aggrieved. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely recognized, denoting a subjective emotional response to an external stimulus.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he took offense" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes someone's reaction to feeling insulted or aggrieved. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and numerous examples from diverse sources like The New York Times, Huffington Post, and Wikipedia illustrate its broad applicability, particularly in news, sports, and arts contexts. While it maintains a generally neutral register, it's important to consider the specific nuance and intensity of the reaction when choosing this phrase over similar alternatives such as "he was offended" or "he felt insulted."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was offended

Directly states the feeling of being insulted; more straightforward.

he felt insulted

Emphasizes the internal feeling of being disrespected.

he was aggrieved

Suggests a sense of injustice or resentment.

he resented it

Highlights a feeling of bitterness and indignation.

he was indignant

Implies a strong emotional reaction to perceived unfairness.

he bristled at it

Indicates a sudden, defensive reaction.

he balked at that

Suggests a refusal to accept something due to offense.

he was displeased

A more understated expression of offense.

he reacted negatively

A general term indicating an unfavorable response.

he expressed displeasure

A formal way of saying someone showed their dissatisfaction.

FAQs

How can I use "he took offense" in a sentence?

You can use "he took offense" to describe someone's reaction to something they found insulting or disrespectful. For example, "When she criticized his work, "he took offense" and defended his approach".

What's a more formal alternative to "he took offense"?

A more formal alternative would be "he felt insulted" or "he expressed displeasure". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts where a less emotive tone is preferred.

Is it correct to say "he takes offense easily"?

Yes, it is correct. "He takes offense easily" describes someone who is easily insulted or sensitive to perceived slights. This implies a general tendency rather than a specific incident.

What's the difference between "he was offended" and "he took offense"?

While similar, "he was offended" is a more direct statement of feeling insulted. "He took offense" can imply a more active or conscious decision to feel insulted, focusing on the action or statement that caused the feeling. In most contexts, they are interchangeable.