take on cargo

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take on cargo" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of accepting or loading cargo onto a vehicle, such as a ship or truck. Example: "The ship is scheduled to take on cargo at the port before setting sail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The company's steamer made four trips to the upper reaches of the Tumen, carrying out timber, without molestation, but on the fifth trip the Japanese authorities refused to permit the vessel to take on cargo.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For its maiden voyage, the ship took on cargo at Asian ports, such as Hong Kong and Shanghai.

The New Yorker

Docking at one of the principal British ports, the ships unloaded their goods and took on cargo for the return journey.

Wikipedia

A moving van was taking on cargo on Wednesday.

The New York Times

It had docked here after taking on cargo in Buenaventura, Colombia.

The New York Times

The vessel's journey began late Wednesday night in Benghazi, where dock workers had spent the day taking on cargo.

The New York Times

The latest discovery of Chinese manpads came after the United States Navy detected the dhow, the Jeehan 1, as it took on cargo in an Iranian military-controlled port.

The New York Times

He stuffed the corpse into a packing case & had a drayman cart it to the schooner Kalamazoo, which was taking on cargo for New Orleans.

The New Yorker

Rather than take on his cargo, he took on board as many of the local settlers as he could.

Wikipedia

The A.S.P.C.A., along with other animal advocates, believes the hazards are lessened if cargo companies take on the task when animals absolutely must travel by air.

The New York Times - Travel

Each ship takes on her cargo with a few hundred lifts, compared to 5,000 individual lifts by the old method".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a vessel's activity at a port, use "take on cargo" to clearly indicate the action of loading goods for transport.

Common error

Avoid using "take in cargo" as a substitute for "take on cargo". "Take in" generally refers to absorbing or receiving something, not specifically the loading of goods for transportation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "take on cargo" is that of a phrasal verb, where "take on" acts as the verb and "cargo" serves as the direct object. Ludwig AI identifies its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take on cargo" is a phrasal verb used to describe the loading of goods onto a vehicle for transportation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media, wiki entries, and scientific contexts. For alternatives, consider phrases like "load up cargo" or "accept cargo". Ensure you use "take on", not "take in", to specifically refer to the loading of goods for shipment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

load up cargo

Emphasis on the action of loading; slightly more informal.

accept cargo

Focuses on the act of receiving cargo for transport; less about the physical loading.

receive goods for shipment

More formal and emphasizes the purpose of shipment.

embark cargo

Focuses on the beginning of the cargo's journey.

ship goods

Broader term including all actions of loading, transporting and unloading.

freight goods

Using "freight" as a verb places more emphasis on the type of transport.

uplift cargo

Technical term for loading cargo onto an aircraft.

get cargo aboard

Emphasis is on the result; the goods are on the transport.

put cargo on

Simple version emphasizing the act of placing items.

handle cargo

Wider term that considers all activities involved with the cargo.

FAQs

What does "take on cargo" mean?

The phrase "take on cargo" means to load goods or materials onto a vehicle, typically a ship or truck, for transportation.

What can I say instead of "take on cargo"?

You can use alternatives like "load up cargo", "accept cargo", or "receive goods for shipment" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "take in cargo" instead of "take on cargo"?

No, it is not correct. "Take in" has a different meaning, usually referring to absorbing or receiving something, while "take on cargo" specifically refers to loading goods for transport.

What's the difference between "take on cargo" and "discharge cargo"?

"Take on cargo" refers to the loading of goods onto a transport vehicle, while "discharge cargo" refers to the unloading of goods from the vehicle at its destination.