taken

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "taken" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to indicate that something has been taken or has been chosen or selected, as in "She has taken a job at the local factory." You can also use it as an adjective to indicate something has been previously chosen or acquired, as in "The taken path leads to the lake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Much of Lubitz's social life appears to have taken place in the nearby city of Koblenz.

The Guardian

We have taken these positions because we believe that freedom and self-determination are not unique to one culture.

The New York Times

It's too long, this time that has been taken to find a solution.

The Guardian - Business

"I think the ray of light is that there is now an undertaking by government lawyers so that people on board the ship will be taken to a detention centre in the next couple of days," she said.

The Guardian

"It is regrettable that in the last few days both sides have taken steps that are not helpful and that's evident to everybody," he told reporters in Morocco.

The Guardian

In November Obeid told the commission he had not disclosed his sons' interests in the business because he wanted his lobbying to be taken on "merit".

The Guardian

I was thinking: how will this painting be taken?

The Guardian

Thousands of children were taken in and saved from the horrors of the Nazis.

The Guardian

The Alliance MP's call comes as a victim of abuse at Kincora speaks out on Tuesday night's Channel 4 News alleging that he was taken from the east Belfast home to London where he was molested by members of a VIP paedophile ring.

The Guardian

He said he had changed his mind about remaining silent about his detention despite risking having his books and pen taken from him.

The Guardian

"They show Starbucks have taken a bit of a knock as a result [of public outrage]," he said, although he was not able to release the precise figures.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taken" as a past participle, ensure you've chosen the correct tense of the auxiliary verb (e.g., has, have, had, is, are, was, were) to match your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "taken" as a direct replacement for the simple past tense "did". While "taken" (as part of a verb phrase) can describe completed actions, it carries a nuance of having been acted upon or received, not simply performing the action. For example, instead of "He taken the job", say "He took the job" or "He has taken the job".

Linguistic Context

The word "taken" functions primarily as the past participle of the verb "take". This form is commonly used to create perfect tenses (e.g., "has taken") and passive voice constructions. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taken" is the past participle of "take", functioning to form perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. Ludwig AI indicates its usability and correctness in written English. It's a very common word, appearing most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. Be mindful of its use, especially not to confuse it with the simple past tense "took". Remember to use the correct auxiliary verb with "taken" and to check that the passive or perfect tense appropriately conveys your desired meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chosen

Highlights the selection process, emphasizing a deliberate decision to pick something from multiple options.

accepted

Indicates a willingness to receive or agree to something, highlighting consent or agreement.

assumed

Implies acceptance of responsibility or a role, shifting the focus from a passive reception to an active acceptance.

adopted

Indicates a deliberate choice to embrace or take on something, often implying a sense of ownership or integration.

captured

Implies gaining control or possession, often through effort or challenge, adding a sense of triumph or conquest.

seized

Suggests a forceful or opportunistic acquisition, indicating a more active and potentially aggressive approach.

occupied

Focuses on the physical or temporal holding of something, suggesting a claim or utilization.

carried out

Emphasizes the completion of a task or action, shifting focus to the result of the taking.

brought

Suggests movement and delivery of something to a specific location or person.

removed

Focuses on the act of taking something away or displacing it from its original location.

FAQs

How is "taken" used in a sentence?

"Taken" is typically used as the past participle of the verb "take", often in conjunction with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "be". Examples include "The book has been taken" or "She was taken by surprise".

What are some synonyms for "taken"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "taken" might include "chosen", "accepted", "assumed", or "captured".

When is it appropriate to use "taken" vs. "took"?

"Took" is the simple past tense of "take", used for completed actions in the past (e.g., "He took the train"). "Taken" is the past participle, used with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses (e.g., "He has taken the train") or passive voice (e.g., "The train was taken").

What's the difference between "taken" and "taking"?

"Taken" is the past participle, usually used with auxiliary verbs, while "taking" is the present participle, used in continuous tenses (e.g., "He is taking the train"). They have distinct grammatical roles.