take to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'take to' is a commonly used phrasal verb in written English.
It can mean both 'start doing something' or 'take somebody somewhere'. For example: He took to drinking to help him cope with his depression. I am taking my grandmother to the doctor's appointment later today.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take to the streets.

The New York Times - Arts

Suspected gangsters take to politics.

The Economist

Men take to illness easily,.

The New Yorker

Others take to the sky.

The Economist

Will the TOGS ever take to Tigger?

Independent

He didn't take to the whip.

The New York Times

Or you can take to the fells.

Independent

The boys take to glue and crime.

The Economist

Will hipsterville take to this exacting auteur?

The New York Times - Food

People take to her right away.

The New York Times - Sports

How long did it take to develop?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To convey that someone 'likes' something or someone, use "take to" carefully. It often implies an immediate positive impression. "People usually take to her right away because of her cheerful disposition."

Common error

Avoid using "take to" interchangeably with phrasal verbs like "get used to" or "become accustomed to". While they all relate to adaptation, "take to" often implies a more immediate or enthusiastic adoption, whereas the others suggest a gradual adjustment.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "take to" functions primarily as a verb of action or state, indicating the commencement of an activity, a development of affection, or a movement towards something. Ludwig AI confirms this versatility through numerous examples showcasing its diverse applications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "take to" is a versatile expression with several distinct meanings, including starting a new habit, developing an affinity for someone or something, and moving towards a location. As Ludwig AI points out, it's widely used in various contexts, from news articles and scientific publications to everyday conversations. The phrase is grammatically sound, maintains a neutral register, and appears frequently in sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and The Independent. To ensure clarity, it's important to consider the specific context when using "take to", as its intended meaning can vary. While related phrases like "begin to" or "grow fond of" offer similar semantics, "take to" often implies a more immediate or enthusiastic adoption or liking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin to

Focuses on the initiation of an action or habit, similar to one sense of "take to".

start to

Implies the commencement of an action, much like "take to" when indicating a new habit.

grow fond of

Highlights the development of affection or liking, comparable to "take to" when expressing attraction.

become accustomed to

Emphasizes the process of getting used to something, akin to adapting to a new environment or skill.

develop a liking for

Indicates the formation of a preference or fondness, mirroring the 'attraction' sense of "take to".

find appealing

Suggests that something is attractive or pleasing, similar to being drawn to something new.

resort to

Highlights turning to something as a solution or option, sharing the sense of adopting a new course of action.

go in for

Implies choosing to participate in or pursue something, overlapping with the idea of starting a new activity.

warm to

Signifies the gradual development of affection or positive feelings, akin to the attraction sense of "take to".

find comfort in

Focuses on deriving solace or ease from something, resembling "take to" when referring to adopting coping mechanisms.

FAQs

What does "take to" mean?

The phrasal verb "take to" has multiple meanings. It can mean to begin a new habit, like in the sentence "He took to jogging every morning." It can also mean to like someone or something immediately, as in "People "take to" her right away." Additionally, it can refer to moving towards a place, for example, "The birds "took to the sky"."

What are some synonyms for "take to"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "take to" with phrases like "begin to", "start to", or "grow fond of" when referring to starting a habit or developing a liking. If indicating movement, consider "move toward" or "head for".

How do I use "take to" in a sentence?

You can use "take to" to describe someone starting a new activity or habit: "She "took to painting" during her retirement." To express liking someone, you might say: "Everyone "takes to him immediately"." To indicate movement, use it like this: "The protesters "took to the streets"."

Is it correct to say "taken to" instead of "take to"?

Yes, "taken to" is the past participle form of "take to" and is used in perfect tenses. For example: "She has "taken to yoga" recently." "Took to" is the past simple form, such as in "He "took to it quickly"."