took a selfie

USAGE SUMMARY

"took a selfie" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone taking a picture of themselves. For example, "John took a selfie with his friends to capture the moment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I took a selfie.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He took a selfie!

The Guardian - Sport

I took a selfie with him and quickly moved on.

The Guardian

Near the door, a woman took a selfie.

The New Yorker

Neither bothered Rudd, who pulled out his phone and took a selfie with Lee.

The New Yorker

Right before the lights went down, Elliott took a selfie with Trump.

The New Yorker

I was so proud of this accomplishment that I took a selfie.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Posing before the open hatch, we took a selfie with the skeleton and the shovels.

The New Yorker

A man met his doppelgänger on a flight – and took a selfie to celebrate the bizarre moment.

Independent

Kim alone has 37m followers on Twitter and recently took a selfie with Hilary Clinton: I got my selfie!!!

Independent

Walking outside today like #hottestdayoftheyear pic.twitter.com/YEoRkSBJhe I took a selfie on the Northern line this morning.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about taking selfies, ensure the context clarifies the purpose or significance of the action. For example, instead of just stating "I took a selfie", explain why or where the selfie was taken to add more depth and interest.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of the phrase "took a selfie" in a short span. Vary your language by using alternatives like "snapped a photo of myself" or "captured a self-portrait" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took a selfie" functions as a verb phrase, describing a completed action of capturing a self-portrait. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, supported by numerous examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took a selfie" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe the action of capturing a self-portrait. Ludwig AI confirms this, supported by numerous examples from news and media, as well as other sources. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and is used to report or describe a past event. While ""took a selfie"" is widely accepted and easily understood, there are many alternatives, such as "snapped a selfie", that you can use to improve your writing, avoiding over-repetition. It’s also worth considering the context and purpose of the selfie when crafting your narrative to engage your audience more effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snapped a selfie

Emphasizes the quick and informal nature of taking a selfie.

grabbed a selfie

Highlights the act of quickly taking a selfie, often opportunistically.

captured a selfie

Focuses on the act of preserving a moment through a selfie.

got a selfie

Indicates the successful acquisition of a selfie.

shot a selfie

Uses the verb 'shoot' to describe the action of taking a selfie.

made a selfie

A slightly less common but understandable way to describe taking a selfie.

clicked a selfie

Highlights the action of clicking the phone to take a selfie.

created a selfie

Emphasizes the act of producing or generating a selfie.

posed for a selfie

Focuses on the act of striking a pose specifically for a selfie.

selfie was taken

Passive voice construction, shifting focus to the selfie itself.

FAQs

How can I use "took a selfie" in a sentence?

You can use "took a selfie" to describe the action of someone taking a picture of themselves. For example, "She /s/took+a+selfie with her friends at the concert".

What are some alternatives to "took a selfie"?

Some alternatives include "snapped a selfie", "grabbed a selfie", or "captured a selfie", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "took a selfie"?

Yes, "took a selfie" is grammatically correct. "Took" is the past tense of "take", and it correctly describes the action of taking a selfie in the past.

What's the difference between "took a selfie" and "taking a selfie"?

"Took a selfie" refers to a completed action in the past, while "taking a selfie" refers to an action in progress or a general activity. For example, "She "took a selfie" after the show", versus "She enjoys "taking a selfie" with her cat".