take after

USAGE SUMMARY

"take after" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe someone behaving in a similar way to someone else, usually a close family member. Example: "He takes after his father; he's a natural handyman."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His cohorts laughed and laughed, take after take.

The New York Times - Sports

"You have to somehow take after famous explorers of unknown territory," she said.

The New York Times

They must take after me".

The New York Times - Sports

Fingers crossed I will take after her.

The New York Times

"They say dogs take after their owners".

The Guardian - Travel

I take after both of them".

The New Yorker

He always did take after Johanna's side.

The New Yorker

"Hard to take after this week".

The New Yorker

They did take after take after take, because they couldn't do it without cracking up.

The New York Times - Arts

A television reporter repeated, "Well, there you have it," take after take after take.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Let's take after-school money.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take after" when you want to indicate that someone resembles a relative or ancestor, either in appearance or behavior. For example, "She takes after her mother with her artistic talents."

Common error

Avoid using "take after" to describe resemblances between unrelated individuals. It's typically reserved for familial relationships. Instead, use "resemble" or "look like" for general similarities.

How to use

Learn how to use "take after" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "take after" functions as an intransitive verb, indicating resemblance in traits or characteristics, typically to a family member. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing both physical and behavioral similarities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take after" is a phrasal verb used to describe the resemblance, either physically or in character, that someone has with a relative or ancestor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Academia sources. While generally neutral in register, it may be less common in highly formal contexts. Remember to use it primarily for familial resemblances and consider alternatives like "resemble" or "look like" for non-familial situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resemble

Focuses on similarity in appearance or qualities.

look like

Specifically refers to physical appearance.

inherit traits from

Emphasizes the genetic or hereditary aspect of resemblance.

follow in someone's footsteps

Highlights the act of emulating someone's actions or career.

emulate

Implies a conscious effort to imitate someone.

mirror

Suggests a close and often exact resemblance.

bear a resemblance to

A more formal way of saying resemble.

show the influence of

Highlights the impact someone has on another person's behavior or style.

be cut from the same cloth

Indicates that two people share fundamental qualities or characteristics.

have a likeness to

A formal way of saying to look similar.

FAQs

How to use "take after" in a sentence?

"Take after" is used to describe someone who resembles a relative in appearance or character. For example, "He "takes after" his father in his love for sports".

What can I say instead of "take after"?

You can use alternatives like "resemble", "look like", or "follow in someone's footsteps" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Which is correct, "take after" or "taking after"?

"Take after" is the base form of the phrasal verb. "Taking after" is the present participle and is used in continuous tenses or as a gerund. For example, "She is "taking after" her mother's example by volunteering."

What's the difference between "take after" and "imitate"?

"Take after" implies an inherent resemblance or unconscious emulation, while "imitate" suggests a deliberate act of copying. "He "takes after" his grandfather in his calm demeanor", versus "The student tried to imitate the teacher's accent".