she took on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she took on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone accepting a responsibility, challenge, or task. Example: "She took on the role of team leader after the previous leader resigned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This season she took on one of the staples of a man's wardrobe: the tuxedo.

The New York Times

She took on the unions.

The New York Times

"But she took on an impossible job.

The New York Times

She took on the fight with Microsoft.

The New York Times - Tech

(She took on the O' when they married).

The New Yorker

LeCompte had never directed Shakespeare before she took on "Hamlet".

The New Yorker

"I loved how she took on the Shah, Qaddafi, Kissinger.

The New Yorker

She took on Glazer and Jacobson as clients.

The New Yorker

Soon, she took on more Eastern European artists.

The New York Times

I think she took on characters as well.

The Guardian - Music

In the process she took on the honorific Khaleesi.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she took on" to emphasize acceptance of a challenging task or responsibility. This conveys a sense of proactive engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "she took on" when describing passive involvement or unintentional actions. This phrase implies a deliberate and active acceptance of something, not a coincidental encounter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she took on" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of accepting a responsibility, challenge, or task. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing numerous examples where "she took on" is used to describe someone proactively engaging with something, as seen in the examples from The New York Times and The New Yorker.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she took on" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of accepting a responsibility, challenge, or task. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media. The phrase carries a neutral tone and implies proactive engagement. While alternatives like "she assumed" or "she handled" exist, "she took on" effectively conveys the notion of actively embracing a new duty or confronting a problem. Therefore, use it confidently when you want to indicate someone's deliberate acceptance of a task or challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she assumed

Implies accepting a duty or role, often without direct confrontation.

she undertook

Suggests a more formal or deliberate commitment to a task.

she handled

Focuses on the management or execution of a task or situation.

she tackled

Indicates a direct and energetic approach to a challenge or problem.

she shouldered

Emphasizes bearing the burden or responsibility of something.

she embraced

Suggests a willing and enthusiastic acceptance of a task or role.

she confronted

Highlights directly addressing or facing a difficult issue or opponent.

she dealt with

Focuses on the process of managing or resolving a situation.

she addressed

Implies giving attention to and attempting to resolve an issue.

she managed

Highlights successful control or direction of something.

FAQs

How can I use "she took on" in a sentence?

Use "she took on" to indicate that someone accepted a responsibility, challenge, or task. For example: "She took on the project despite the tight deadline".

What are some alternatives to "she took on"?

You can use alternatives like "she assumed", "she undertook", or "she tackled" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "she took on" in formal writing?

Yes, "she took on" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when emphasizing a deliberate and proactive acceptance of a challenge or responsibility. However, consider alternatives like "she undertook" for a slightly more formal tone.

What's the difference between "she took on" and "she handled"?

"She took on" implies accepting responsibility or starting a task, while "she handled" suggests managing or dealing with an existing situation. For example, "She took on the new client" (accepted the responsibility), vs. "She handled the crisis effectively" (managed an existing problem).