taking turns

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking turns" is a perfectly correct, grammatically correct, and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to an activity or situation in which a group of people alternate in doing something, such as telling a story, playing a game, or doing a task. For example, "The students took turns reading aloud from the book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everybody was taking turns.

The New York Times - Sports

It's as if we're taking turns.

The New York Times

We used the phone too, taking turns.

The New York Times

Piotr Beczala already was taking turns in both roles.

The New York Times - Arts

We drove down non-stop, taking turns behind the wheel.

The New Yorker

"They were all rushing up, taking turns at the whiteboard.

The New Yorker

They were taking turns expressing their pain, jealousy and anxiety.

The New York Times - Health

Our Maui and Alberta members we telephoned, taking turns speaking.

The New York Times - Arts

Taking turns with the baby, just sitting there, crying".

The Guardian - Film

"It was me and him tonight, taking turns," Martin said.

The New York Times - Sports

Spring seems to be a time of taking turns.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process where individuals contribute sequentially, use "taking turns" to clearly convey the order and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "taking turns" when the actions are not reciprocal or don't involve a shared resource or activity. For instance, if people are simply performing individual tasks one after another, describe it as a sequence of actions rather than "taking turns".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking turns" functions as a verbal phrase, often acting as the present participle of the verb phrase "take turns". Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, highlighting its role in describing ongoing or habitual alternating actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taking turns" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verbal phrase that describes the action of alternating in an activity or role. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its primary function is to ensure fairness and order, preventing conflict by ensuring each participant has an equal opportunity. The phrase appears most commonly in news media and academic settings. When writing, ensure the actions are indeed reciprocal or involve sharing; if not, use other descriptive alternatives. When looking for an alternative phrase, consider "alternating roles" or "sharing duties".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alternating roles

Focuses on the exchange of responsibilities or positions.

sharing duties

Emphasizes the collaborative aspect of distributing tasks.

rotating responsibilities

Highlights the cyclical nature of the arrangement.

alternating actions

Broader term applicable to various activities, not just duties.

trading places

Suggests a temporary exchange of positions or roles.

in turn

More concise way to indicate sequential action.

each in their own time

Highlights the individual pacing within the sequence.

successively acting

Formal phrasing emphasizing the sequential nature of acting

reciprocal action

Implies mutual exchange or giving and taking

staggered participation

Highlights the non-simultaneous, phased approach to participation.

FAQs

How can I use "taking turns" in a sentence?

You can use "taking turns" to describe situations where people alternate in performing an action, such as "The children were "taking turns" reading from the book" or "We were "taking turns" driving on the long road trip".

What are some synonyms for "taking turns"?

Alternatives to "taking turns" include "alternating roles", "sharing duties", or "rotating responsibilities", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "take turns" instead of "taking turns"?

Yes, both "take turns" and "taking turns" are correct, but they have different grammatical functions. "Take turns" is the base form or imperative form, while "taking turns" is the present participle used in continuous tenses (e.g., "They are "taking turns"").

What is the difference between "taking turns" and "sharing"?

"Taking turns" implies a sequential action, where individuals alternate in using a resource or performing an activity. "Sharing" generally indicates a simultaneous or less structured use of a resource. For example, "Taking turns with the microphone" versus "Sharing the pizza".