take up

USAGE SUMMARY

"take up" is a correct and usable verb in written English.
It can have several meanings, depending on the context. For example: I decided to take up mountain climbing as a hobby.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

& adults to take up fishing.

The New Yorker

Maybe I'd take up biking.

The New York Times

Take up insurance.

The Guardian - Books

Even take up acting.

The New York Times - Sports

"Don't take up golf".

The New York Times - Books

Take up woodwork.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then take up boxing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Don't take up a rifle," he said, "take up painting".

Independent

Sounds take up time.

SEP

take up arms.

Forbes

I'd take up go-karting.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take up" to mean 'start a hobby,' ensure the context is clear. For example, "I decided to "take up" painting to relax."

Common error

Avoid using "take up" when you mean to stop doing something. "Give up" is the correct phrase for ceasing an activity, while "take up" means to start one.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "take up" primarily functions as a verb to indicate starting a new activity or hobby, occupying space or time, or accepting an offer. This is supported by Ludwig's examples such as "take up fishing" or "sounds take up time".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

32%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "take up" is versatile and widely used, functioning as a verb with several distinct meanings: starting a new activity, occupying space or time, and accepting an offer. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Its register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for various contexts, from news and media to informal conversation. When using "take up", be mindful of the intended meaning to ensure clarity, especially distinguishing it from similar phrases like "take on" or "give up". By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate "take up" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin doing

Focuses on the commencement of an activity or hobby.

start

Emphasizes the initiation of something, generally shorter and more direct.

occupy

Highlights the use of space or time, relating to one specific meaning of "take up".

adopt

Suggests embracing a new idea, method or practice.

assume

Implies taking on a responsibility or position.

get into

Informal way to express starting a new hobby or interest.

devote oneself to

Highlights dedicating time and effort to an activity.

immerse oneself in

Emphasizes deep involvement in a subject or activity.

shorten

Relates to the meaning of hemming clothing.

accept

Highlights the acceptance of an offer or proposal.

FAQs

How can I use "take up" in a sentence?

You can use "take up" to mean start a new hobby (e.g., "I want to "take up" photography"), occupy space (e.g., "The piano "takes up" a lot of room"), or accept an offer (e.g., "We should "take up" their offer of help").

What can I say instead of "take up" when starting a new activity?

Alternatives include "begin doing", "start", or "get into" depending on the formality of the context.

Is it correct to say "take up on" instead of "take up"?

While "take up" generally stands alone, it can be followed by "on" when accepting an offer or proposal (e.g., "take up on their offer").

What's the difference between "take up" and "take on"?

"Take up" often refers to starting a hobby or occupying space, while "take on" usually means accepting a responsibility or challenge.