took a dance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took a dance" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in a context where someone is describing participating in a dance or taking part in a dance event, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "At the party, she took a dance with her friends, enjoying the lively music."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"I took a dance class and I did a tap routine to Delirious," Doolittle said.

The Guardian - Music

A few years back, she published a book of paintings (Portraits in Eyes) and took a dance show (In-I) on a world tour.

The Guardian - Film

When the Black Mountain poet Charles Olson, all 6 feet 8 of him, took a dance class with Cunningham, he resembled "a very serious elephant".

The New York Times - Books

At Dartmouth, from which he received a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1971, Mr. Wolken took a dance class taught by the choreographer Alison Chase; Mr. Pendleton was also in the class.

The New York Times

THE choreographer Peter Pucci, a track and football star in his hometown of Baltimore, had almost completed a degree in physical education when he took a dance improvisation class in college.

The New York Times - Arts

When Pendleton lost his skiing career and both his parents, he took a dance class.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The following year, he took a dance-criticism course at Barnard, and his professor, Mindy Aloff, suggested to him that he might be good at choreography.

The New Yorker

It had been a while since I had taken a dance class and when I decided to resume dancing a few years ago.

Huffington Post

Taking a dance class is a great way to meet people.

The Guardian - Travel

When I was a child, my family could barely afford for me to take a dance class.

Independent

Pupils taking a dance class during a day visit to Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "took a dance" is understandable, consider using more common alternatives like "had a dance" or "participated in a dance" for improved clarity and naturalness.

Common error

Avoid using "took a dance" excessively in your writing; vary your language by employing alternatives such as "had a dance" or "enjoyed a dance" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took a dance" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of participating in a dance. While understandable, it is less common than alternative phrasings like "had a dance". Ludwig indicates that the phrase is not standard, recommending alternative expressions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

36%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "took a dance" is understandable, it is not the most common or natural way to express participation in a dance activity. Ludwig suggests that it's not a standard expression. More conventional alternatives, such as "had a dance" or "participated in a dance", are generally preferred for improved clarity and naturalness. The phrase is primarily found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. Considering the suggestions from Ludwig AI, opting for more common alternatives can enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a dance

Replaces "took" with "had" creating a more common and natural sounding alternative.

participated in a dance

Substitutes "took" with "participated in" for a more formal and descriptive phrase.

joined a dance

Uses "joined" to indicate involvement in a dance activity.

engaged in a dance

Replaces "took" with "engaged in", offering a slightly more formal tone.

danced

Simplifies the phrase to the basic verb "danced", implying participation without explicitly stating "taking" a dance.

enjoyed a dance

Adds the element of enjoyment to the action of dancing.

experienced a dance

Focuses on the experience of the dance, rather than just the action.

went for a dance

Uses "went for" to describe the action of participating in a dance, suggesting a casual or recreational activity.

undertook a dance

Implies a more deliberate or planned participation in a dance activity.

entered a dance

Suggests entering into a dance event or competition.

FAQs

What are some common ways to say someone participated in a dance?

Instead of "took a dance", you could say they "had a dance", "participated in a dance", or simply "danced".

Is "took a dance" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "took a dance" is less common and may sound awkward to some. More conventional phrasing includes "had a dance" or "participated in a dance".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "took a dance"?

The phrase "took a dance" might be suitable in informal contexts or when emphasizing the act of choosing to engage in dancing. However, in most cases, using "had a dance" is preferred.

Are there specific types of dance where "took a dance" sounds more appropriate?

No, "took a dance" doesn't become more fitting with any specific style. A phrase like "had a dance" or "participated in a dance" works well regardless of the type.