takes up on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "takes up on" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a mix-up of "takes up" and "takes on," which are both correct phrases used in different contexts. Example: "She takes up painting as a hobby."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The Model D is diminutive, with a "footprint," or the area it takes up on a desktop, 20percentto30percentcent smaller than that of the PC.

The New York Times - Science

The issue is not how tall a skyscraper should be but whether it's worth the space it takes up on the ground.

The New York Times - Arts

Of course, jewelry is a particularly attractive product, Ms. Bornstein said, given how little space it takes up on the showroom and in the warehouse.

The New York Times

Mr. Lipsky is a lobbyist nearly omnipresent in City Hall and Albany and well known for his aggressive advocacy of New York's small businesses and the beverage industry, whose causes he frequently takes up on a personal blog.

The New York Times

It's under four metres long and in industry jargon is classified as a B-segment, or Fiesta/Polo class car, which gives an idea of the small amount of space it takes up on the road.

Independent

"Economy seats take up less room on a plane, and aviation emissions are calculated by the amount of room a person takes up on a plane," explained a government spokesman.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But a one-year option has been taken up on another striker Liam McAlinden's deal until 2016.

BBC

It was a refrain taken up on the streets.

The Guardian

The case was prominently taken up on The Daily Show.

The Guardian - Film

The bill being taken up on Monday has no Republican support.

The New York Times

UK teachers spend less time in class and more time taken up on other tasks.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express acceptance of a challenge or duty, use "takes on". If intending to indicate the commencement of an activity or the occupation of space, use "takes up".

Common error

Avoid combining "takes up" and "takes on" into ""takes up on"". Remember that "takes up" refers to starting a hobby or occupying space, while "takes on" means accepting a responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase ""takes up on"" appears to be a non-standard combination of the phrasal verbs 'take up' and 'take on.' It lacks a clear grammatical function in standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase ""takes up on"" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, it seems to be a combination of "takes up" and "takes on", each having distinct meanings. "Takes up" refers to occupying space or starting an activity, while "takes on" means accepting a responsibility or challenge. Despite its presence in some online sources, including news and media, it's crucial to use the correct phrasal verb to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy. Consider using alternatives like "takes up", "takes on", or "picks up on" depending on the intended meaning to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

takes up

Corrects the phrase by removing the unnecessary preposition, implying starting a new activity or occupying space.

takes on

Corrects the phrase by using the correct preposition, implying accepting a responsibility or challenge.

picks up on

Implies noticing or understanding something subtle or not immediately obvious.

capitalizes on

Refers to taking advantage of an opportunity.

seizes upon

Suggests eagerly taking hold of an opportunity or idea.

acts on

Implies taking action based on something.

expands on

Suggests elaborating or providing more detail about a topic.

elaborates on

Similar to 'expands on', suggesting a more detailed explanation.

develops on

Implies building or expanding on an existing idea or concept.

builds upon

To use something as a foundation for further development; similar to 'develops on'.

FAQs

When is it correct to use "takes up"?

"Takes up" is correct when referring to occupying space (e.g., "This desk takes up too much space") or starting a new hobby or activity (e.g., "She takes up painting in her free time").

When is it correct to use "takes on"?

"Takes on" is correct when referring to accepting a responsibility, challenge, or task (e.g., "He takes on the role of project manager").

What can I use instead of the incorrect phrase "takes up on"?

Depending on the context, you should use either "takes up" to mean occupies or starts, or "takes on" to mean accepts a responsibility.

Which is correct, "takes up" or "takes on"?

Both "takes up" and "takes on" are correct, but they have different meanings. "Takes up" means to occupy space or begin a hobby, while "takes on" means to accept a responsibility. The phrase "takes up on" is not grammatically correct.