take conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

"take conversation" is not correct or usable in written English.
The verb "take" usually means to lift or pick up, as in "take a book from the shelf" or "take the pen from the table." To carry on a conversation, use the verb "have" instead, as in "I had an interesting conversation last night."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They will reply, and soon all of you will be engrossed in a good 'give and take' conversation.

WikiHow

You will need high grades in German, and you may be required to take conversation or written tests in German.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Take Conversations with you wherever you go.

Harvard University

Please keep noise to a minimum and take conversations to other zones.

Harvard University

Know when to take conversations offline.

Forbes

Any time he would take conversations in a sexual direction, I would not reciprocate".

Huffington Post

The alternative is to take the conversation up a level.

Harvard Business Review

The editor said he struggled to take the conversation seriously.

The Washington Post

Take this conversation with a friend who runs women's magazines.

Independent

"Any time that he would take our conversation in a sexual direction, I did not reciprocate".

The New York Times

You might then choose among the many ideas below to take the conversation further.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "have a conversation" instead of "take conversation" for grammatically correct and clear communication.

Common error

Avoid using the verb "take" with "conversation" as it doesn't accurately convey the intended meaning of engaging in dialogue. Choose "have", "initiate", or "participate in" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take conversation" is typically intended to describe the act of engaging in or directing a discussion. However, it's grammatically incorrect and doesn't align with standard English usage. Ludwig AI confirms this with its analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take conversation" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this. While the phrase appears in a variety of sources, including WikiHow, Forbes and The New York Times, it's best to avoid it in favor of grammatically correct alternatives such as "have a conversation", "engage in a conversation", or "lead a conversation". Using the correct phrasing will ensure clear and effective communication in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a conversation

Replaces "take" with "have", which is the correct verb to use when referring to engaging in a conversation.

engage in a conversation

Replaces "take" with "engage in", focusing on active participation in the conversation.

initiate a conversation

Focuses specifically on starting a conversation, rather than participating in one that's already ongoing.

lead a conversation

Emphasizes directing and guiding the conversation's flow and topic.

conduct a conversation

Formal alternative, suggesting a structured or organized discussion.

participate in a conversation

Highlights being involved and contributing to an existing conversation.

join a conversation

Indicates entering an ongoing conversation.

enter into a conversation

Similar to "join a conversation", but slightly more formal.

direct the conversation

Focuses on influencing the topic and direction of the conversation.

maneuver the conversation

Implies skillfully guiding the conversation, possibly with a specific goal in mind.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "take conversation"?

The correct way to say it is to "have a conversation", "engage in a conversation", or "participate in a conversation". The verb "take" does not collocate well with "conversation" in this context.

Is "take conversation" grammatically correct?

No, "take conversation" is not grammatically correct. The correct usage involves verbs like "have", "start", or "join", as in ""have a conversation"" or "join a conversation".

What can I say instead of "take conversation"?

Instead of "take conversation", you can use alternatives such as ""have a conversation"", "initiate a conversation", or "lead a conversation", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "take conversation" or "have a conversation"?

"Have a conversation" is the correct phrase. "Take conversation" is not standard English and should be avoided.