took charge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took charge of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe taking control of a situation or responsibility. For example, "John took charge of the project and made sure it was finished on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Old Chrissy took charge of the killing.

The New Yorker

He later took charge of RUC training.

Independent

Carrington took charge of the expedition himself.

The New York Times

Agrippa therefore took charge of the operations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Conover then took charge of the proceedings.

The New York Times - Arts

She took charge of E4 in 2007.

The Guardian

He then took charge of the company.

The Guardian - Business

Dr. Lukwiya took charge of Lacor's.

The New York Times

Thom took charge of this unwieldy group.

The New Yorker

Francis took charge of a church at a crossroads.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Linda, grinning, tells Mike, "I took charge of my life".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took charge of", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being controlled or managed. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "took charge of" when the level of actual control was minimal. Use more appropriate verbs like "assisted with" or "participated in" to reflect the true level of involvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took charge of" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of assuming control, responsibility, or leadership over something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

22%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took charge of" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express the act of assuming control or responsibility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase enjoys widespread usage across various contexts, from news reporting to scientific publications. With a neutral register, it fits seamlessly into both formal and informal settings. To use it effectively, ensure clarity about what's being managed and avoid overstating the level of control. Consider alternatives like "assumed control of" or "spearheaded" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assumed control of

Replaces "took" with "assumed", implying a transfer of control.

took command of

Implies a formal leadership role, like in a military or hierarchical setting.

assumed responsibility for

Focuses on the responsibility aspect of taking charge.

took the reins of

Idiomatic expression for taking control, often implying guidance.

stepped up to lead

Emphasizes the act of volunteering or being chosen to lead.

spearheaded

Suggests leading an effort or initiative with energy and vision.

managed

Highlights the managerial aspects of taking control.

oversaw

Stresses the act of watching over and guiding.

supervised

Focuses on overseeing and directing activities.

presided over

Indicates a formal role in guiding or leading an event or organization.

FAQs

How can I use "took charge of" in a sentence?

Use "took charge of" to indicate that someone assumed control or responsibility for something. For example, "She "took charge of" the project after the manager left".

What are some alternatives to "took charge of"?

You can use alternatives such as "assumed control of", "assumed responsibility for", or "took command of" depending on the context.

Is it different from "take charge of"?

"Took charge of" is the past tense of "take charge of". Use "took charge of" when referring to something that happened in the past. For instance, "He "took charge of" the situation yesterday".

What's the difference between "took charge of" and "took care of"?

"Took charge of" implies assuming control or responsibility, while "took care of" suggests providing care or attending to someone's needs. For example, "She "took charge of" the company" means she managed it, but "She took care of her grandmother" means she provided care for her.