took

USAGE SUMMARY

"took" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning 'to grab, get, or otherwise obtain', as in "She took the book off the shelf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It took three days".

The New York Times

But it is no less shocking to consider that, far from being neutral as was claimed at the time, it is clear that the government took a deliberately calculated political approach guided by a complete hostility to the coalfield communities.

The Guardian

"We closed the park immediately whilst preliminary investigations took place and to give our staff time to come to terms with the accident and its aftermath.

The Guardian

It took a little to get used to, but it's great".

The Guardian - Tech

We will ensure that these programmes are a fair representation of what took place throughout their stay".

The Guardian

Just before Ive took me into the studio for the first time, he remarked that all the buildings were similarly linked.

The Guardian - Tech

Because Republicans are trying, for the third time since he took office, to use economic blackmail to achieve a goal they lack the votes to achieve through the normal legislative process.

The New York Times

"I took this action because I want to make it perfectly clear: I was born in America and I am a proud American citizen.

The New York Times

The company has grown spectacularly since their father, Fred, died, in 1967, and the brothers took charge.

The Economist

"Mo's training was completely chaotic before Alberto took over.

The Guardian - Sport

It took him six hours.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took", consider the specific nuance you want to convey: whether it's acceptance, acquisition, or assumption of responsibility. Choose synonyms accordingly for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "took" as a one-size-fits-all verb. Overusing it can make your writing repetitive and less precise. Substitute with verbs that better reflect the specific action, such as "accepted", "obtained", or "assumed".

Linguistic Context

Took primarily functions as the simple past tense form of the verb "take". It describes a completed action in the past. Ludwig AI shows various examples from news articles and other sources that illustrate its use in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took" is the past tense of "take", used to indicate a completed action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media. While "took" is versatile, consider using synonyms like "accepted", "obtained", or "assumed" for greater precision. To enhance clarity, avoid overuse and ensure correct tense usage. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "took" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accepted

Replaces "took" to emphasize agreement or willingness to receive something.

obtained

Substitutes "took" to highlight the act of gaining or acquiring something, often through effort.

received

Similar to "took" but emphasizes the act of being given something.

assumed

Indicates taking on a responsibility, role, or characteristic, offering a more specific meaning than "took".

undertook

Formally replaces "took" when referring to beginning or engaging in a task or project.

carried out

Replaces "took" to highlight completing a specific task or activity.

conducted

Similar to "took", but applies more to processes, experiments, or investigations.

executed

Replaces "took" in contexts involving plans, orders, or judgments, emphasizing completion.

seized

Suggests forcefully or quickly taking something, adding a sense of urgency or opportunism compared to "took".

grasped

Highlights taking hold of something, physically or metaphorically, such as an opportunity or understanding.

FAQs

How to use "took" in a sentence?

"Took" is the past tense of "take" and is used to describe an action that happened in the past. For example, "She took the book from the shelf" or "He took a deep breath".

What can I say instead of "took"?

You can use alternatives like "accepted", "obtained", or "received" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "took" or "taken"?

"Took" is the simple past tense, while "taken" is the past participle. Use "took" for simple past actions (e.g., "I took the test"), and "taken" with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "be" (e.g., "I have taken the test", "The test was taken").

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

"Took" represents a completed action in the past, whereas "taken" is used in perfect tenses or as a passive participle, indicating a completed action with relevance to the present or an action done to something by someone.