take on a character

USAGE SUMMARY

"take on a character" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
This phrase can be used to describe a person adopting a particular persona or set of characteristics. For example, "With his new costume, he took on a character of a superhero."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Theatre, because you are entrusted to take on a character and play him over an evening.

Independent

"It's quite a chore to take on a character everybody knows," he said.

The New York Times

They include farmers' coats, gardeners' coats, sleeping kimonos and coverlets that, much stitched or mended, or quilted in a technique called sashiko, take on a character that is both personal and historical.

The New York Times - Travel

That way, my character would have an arc and I would take on a character's name which was mine in the hopes it would allow the documentary pieces seem more natural in the film.

Huffington Post

Be sensitive to your topics, but do not be afraid to take on a character's voice.

WikiHow

Later, you take on a character - it's not necessarily you, but there's a logic there.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I liked the idea of taking on a character and portraying myself in the guise of another.

The Guardian - Film

Both tolerated a vast inequality in wealth: "For the top 5 percent, life took on a character of manic overindulgence and extravagance, unpleasantly reminiscent of the life of the American super-rich today".

The New Yorker

"With Nicki, I was really taking on a character.

Los Angeles Times

"You have the great responsibility of taking on a character who is as famous and infamous as any character that John Grisham has ever written".

Huffington Post

Performing "On the Town" in late summer for two weeks made Copeland a better dancer and a strong performer "with more of an understanding of taking on a character," she said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing creatively, use "take on a character" to describe the process an actor or writer undergoes when developing a fictional persona. This suggests a deliberate and thoughtful approach to character development.

Common error

Avoid using "take on a character" when simply describing someone's inherent traits. This phrase implies an assumption of a role, not just a description of inherent qualities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take on a character" functions as a verb phrase often used to describe the act of assuming a role or adopting the traits and behaviors of a specific persona. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a standard English phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take on a character" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the assumption of a role or persona. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a standard phrase in English. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and online encyclopedias. Understanding its nuances is important in expressing how someone embodies or adopts a specific role, as detailed in the provided examples and writing guidance. Be sure to avoid using this when describing someone's natural behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume a persona

Focuses on the external presentation of a role.

adopt a role

Highlights the acceptance and implementation of a specific function.

embody a character

Emphasizes the physical and emotional manifestation of a role.

portray a character

Refers specifically to the act of depicting a character in performance.

play a role

A more general term for performing a specific function or part.

impersonate someone

Implies mimicking or imitating a specific person.

act as someone

Similar to playing a role, but can also refer to temporary assumption of a role.

become someone

Suggests a transformation into another person, either temporarily or permanently.

channel a personality

Focuses on the ability to mimic a certain behavior, emotion and mental process.

feign a character

Implies deceptively pretending to be someone else, or deceptively pretending to have certain qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "take on a character" in a sentence?

You can use "take on a character" to describe an actor preparing for a role, for example: "The actor had to really "take on a character" to play the role of the villain effectively."

What is a synonym for "take on a character"?

Alternatives for "take on a character" include "assume a persona", "adopt a role", or "embody a character", each emphasizing different aspects of assuming a role.

Is it correct to say "took on a character"?

Yes, "took on a character" is the past tense form and is grammatically correct. For example, "She "took on a character" that was very different from her own personality."

What's the difference between "take on a character" and "portray a character"?

"Take on a character" describes the internal process of adopting a persona, while "portray a character" refers to the external act of depicting that character to an audience.