took a cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took a cold" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is likely intended to refer to "catching a cold," which is the correct expression for becoming ill with a cold virus. Example: "After being out in the rain without a jacket, I think I took a cold."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

These films, most of them from the English nineteen-fifties and sixties, the period of the so-called Angry Young Men, took a cold, hard view of the English class system, and the coldness was often experimentally rendered.

The New Yorker

I took a cold shower, I put my sweats on".

The Guardian - Sport

Lever took a cold bath most mornings and slept on a semi-open balcony.

The Economist

Allen said he went back to his hotel last night and took a cold shower.

The New York Times - Sports

It only took a cold snap and the failure of one pipeline to double gas prices in a few hours – that should worry everybody.

The Guardian

The United States government, which took a Cold War interest in developing an American ballet — and culture — that could rival the Russians', began to fund émigré dancers and choreographers who had fled to New York.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The New Yorker, February 11 , 1956P. 26 A youth from San Francisco, whose father is quite well heeled, recently took a cold-water flat in the Hell's Kitchen area & joined the Actors Studio.

The New Yorker

By Joan Gibson and John McCarten The New Yorker, February 11 , 1956P. 26 A youth from San Francisco, whose father is quite well heeled, recently took a cold-water flat in the Hell's Kitchen area & joined the Actors Studio.

The New Yorker

He takes a cold shower.

The New York Times

It's like taking a cold remedy.

The New York Times - Health

She also takes a cold look at his domestic life.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "caught a cold" or "got a cold" to correctly express becoming infected with a cold virus. Avoid using "took a cold".

Common error

Don't use "took a cold" when you mean to say someone became ill. Stick to the correct phrases: "caught a cold" or "got a cold".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took a cold" is generally considered grammatically incorrect when referring to contracting a cold. Correct alternatives like "caught a cold" are used to describe the onset of the illness. Ludwig identifies this as an incorrect usage based on standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "took a cold" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The intended meaning is typically to express that someone has become ill with a cold virus, but the correct phrases to use are "caught a cold" or "got a cold". While Ludwig identifies examples of this usage across various contexts including News & Media and Academia, it's essential to use the grammatically correct alternatives to ensure clear and accurate communication. The frequency of this incorrect usage is 'Common', but strive for correctness by using "caught" or "got" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caught a cold

Refers to becoming infected with a cold virus.

got a cold

Similar to 'caught a cold', indicating the onset of a cold.

contracted a cold

A more formal way of saying someone became sick with a cold.

came down with a cold

Suggests the gradual development of cold symptoms.

caught the flu

Becoming infected with the influenza virus.

was freezing cold

Focuses on the sensation of extreme coldness, rather than illness.

had a chilly experience

Highlights the experience of encountering cold temperatures.

encountered a cold snap

Refers to a sudden period of cold weather.

endured a cold spell

Focuses on enduring a period of cold weather.

experienced a cold

Mentions the subjective feeling of being cold.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say someone became sick with a cold?

The correct phrases are "caught a cold" or "got a cold". Avoid using "took a cold".

Is "took a cold" grammatically correct?

No, "took a cold" is not grammatically correct. The proper expressions are "caught a cold" or "got a cold".

What can I say instead of "took a cold"?

Use "caught a cold" or "got a cold" to correctly indicate that someone has become ill with a cold.

Which is correct, "took a cold" or "caught a cold"?

"Caught a cold" is correct. "Took a cold" is not standard English usage.