take on the character

USAGE SUMMARY

"take on the character" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of adopting the characteristics of someone or something, either mentally or physically. For example: "He began to take on the character of the villain in the film as he acted out the role."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unlike simple narrative, mimesis poses a particular psychic danger, because as the speaker of the narrative one may take on the character of literary persona in question.

SEP

According to the development of physics since the 17th century chronicled in Substanzbegriff und Functionsbegrif, these forms have progressively lost their "fortuitous" (zufälligen) anthropomorphic features, and more and more take on the character of "systematic forms of unity".

SEP

"I never thought it'd take on the character it has.

The Guardian

Rather, any litigation would take on the character of judicially supervised baseball arbitration.

The Washington Post

And they each, to a considerable degree, take on the character of their most famous adherent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ordering can take on the character of negotiations at a used car lot.

The New York Times - Food

Our thoughts and preoccupations leave traces, which always threaten to take on the character of evidence.

The Guardian - Books

The geography of the violence is beginning to take on the character of a civil war between Israelis and Palestinians.

The Guardian - Opinion

What a pity Karl Urban's pitch-perfect, Eastwoodesque take on the character is unlikely to get a second run out.

The Guardian - Film

Unlike Paul Newman or Robert Redford, he didn't become crumpled with age or take on the character roles that would diminish his original aura.

Independent

Mr. Strouse was open to a revival but acknowledged Mr. Moriarty's concerns that the campy take on the character might not have stood the test of time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about actors or fictional characters, use "take on the character" to describe how they embody the role, adopting mannerisms and emotional states.

Common error

Avoid using "take on the character" when you mean "taking on" a responsibility or task. The former relates to embodying a persona, while the latter refers to accepting a duty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take on the character" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of assuming the traits, role, or persona of someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take on the character" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of adopting the attributes, role, or persona of someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of embodying a persona rather than simply assuming responsibility. Related phrases include "embody the persona" and "assume the role".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

embody the persona

Focuses on physically and mentally representing the character, implying a complete adoption of their traits.

assume the role

Highlights the act of taking on a specific part or function, especially in a performance or activity.

adopt the traits

Emphasizes the acquisition and integration of specific qualities or behaviors.

mirror the attributes

Suggests reflecting or imitating particular qualities or characteristics.

impersonate the figure

Implies mimicking someone's appearance, voice, and mannerisms, often for entertainment.

channel the spirit

Indicates an attempt to connect with and express the inner essence or energy of a character.

capture the essence

Highlights the act of grasping and conveying the most important and defining aspects of a character.

reflect the nature

Focuses on showing or representing the inherent qualities and characteristics of something.

portray the role

Refers to depicting or representing a character in a performance or artistic work.

act the part

Describes behaving in a way that corresponds to a particular role or character.

FAQs

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

You can use "take on the character" to describe an actor's transformation into a role, or how a situation begins to resemble something else. For example, "The actor began to take on the character of Hamlet during rehearsals."

What does it mean to "take on the character" of someone?

To "take on the character" means to adopt the personality, behaviors, and traits of a particular person or role. It often implies a deliberate effort to embody these attributes.

What can I say instead of "take on the character"?

You can use alternatives like "embody the persona", "assume the role", or "adopt the traits" depending on the context.

Is "take on the character" formal or informal language?

"Take on the character" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of your writing.