take shifts

USAGE SUMMARY

"take shifts" is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase suggests that people take turns or alternate doing something. For example, you might say, "We can take shifts and take turns caring for the baby while the parents are away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Then they'd take shifts waiting.

The New York Times - Magazine

I called the hostess, and she suggested we take shifts.

The New York Times

There are sixteen of us, and we take shifts".

The New Yorker

Hundreds of tribesmen take shifts at the tents, raising banners in support of President Saleh.

The New York Times

"I was suspended all the time, people didn't want to take shifts with me.

The New York Times

– Having a partner can be an advantage, because you can take shifts napping.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

We did not take shifting properties of WNNID as WNV epizootic indicator into account.

BMC Veterinary Research

Similar to the WD kernel with shifts (Rätsch et al., 2005), our method can also be straightforwardly extended to take shifted matches into account.

Bioinformatics

Sometimes the players shared instruments, taking shifts during rehearsals.

The New Yorker

It was so crowded that they took shifts lying down.

The New Yorker

The volunteers took shifts and were ready to help if necessary.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spontaneous or informal task sharing, consider alternatives like "help each other out" or "spell each other".

Common error

Avoid using "take shifts" to describe situations where task division is irregular or unplanned. The phrase implies a structured schedule, so ensure the context reflects this.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take shifts" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of alternating or rotating in performing duties or tasks. As Ludwig AI explains, this implies a scheduled or agreed-upon arrangement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take shifts" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of rotating or alternating in performing duties, particularly in situations requiring continuous coverage or a structured division of labor. Ludwig AI highlights the phrase's versatility and widespread usage across various contexts, including news media, wiki articles, and scientific publications. While generally neutral in tone, its structured implication makes it suitable for professional settings. For more informal contexts, consider alternatives like "help each other out" or "spell each other".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do shifts

Shortened version, focusing on the act of performing shifts.

rotate duties

This alternative emphasizes the act of rotating through different responsibilities.

alternate responsibilities

This highlights the alternating nature of the responsibilities.

work in rotation

Similar to "rotate duties", this emphasizes the cyclical nature of the work.

go on rotation

Highlights entering a rotational pattern of work.

share the workload

Focuses on distributing the total amount of work among individuals.

divide the labor

Emphasizes the division of tasks among a group.

spell each other

This phrase refers to relieving someone by taking their place or duty.

trade off duties

Emphasizes the exchange of responsibilities between individuals.

split the task

Focuses on dividing a specific task among multiple people.

FAQs

How to use "take shifts" in a sentence?

The phrase "take shifts" is used to describe a situation where people alternate in performing a duty or task. For example, "The nurses "take shifts" to provide round-the-clock care to the patients".

What can I say instead of "take shifts"?

You can use alternatives like "rotate duties", "alternate responsibilities", or "share the workload" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "take shifts" or "do shifts"?

Both ""take shifts"" and "do shifts" are correct, but "take shifts" is slightly more formal and common. "Do shifts" is a more informal alternative.

What's the difference between "take shifts" and "share duties"?

"Take shifts" often implies a regular, scheduled rotation of tasks, whereas "share duties" is a more general term that suggests a division of responsibilities without necessarily implying a fixed schedule.