took comfort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took comfort" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to convey that someone found solace or reassurance in a particular situation or action. Example: After losing his job, Jack took comfort in his friends' support and encouragement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not everyone took comfort.

The New York Times - Sports

We took comfort in that.

The Guardian - Travel

Mr Blair took comfort from that.

The Guardian

And I took comfort in the assurance.

The New Yorker

I took comfort in the mere act of advice seeking.

The New York Times

I think they took comfort in solidarity, though.

The New Yorker

I took comfort in being left in the hallway.

The Washington Post

Barker took comfort in the performance of his yacht.

The New York Times - Sports

The couple took comfort and delight in carefully irrational, morning-fresh ways of creating.

The New Yorker

I took comfort looking at this woman who seemed so sincere caring for me".

Independent

In those days, he said he took comfort from Mr. Springsteen's songs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took comfort", consider the nuance you want to convey. If you want to emphasize emotional healing, "found solace" might be a better fit. If you wish to highlight feeling more secure, "gained reassurance" could be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "took comfort" when the situation involves active problem-solving rather than emotional coping. For example, instead of saying "The team took comfort in their new strategy", which implies passive acceptance, consider "The team gained confidence from their new strategy", which suggests proactive improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took comfort" functions as a verb phrase, where "took" is the past tense of the verb "take" and "comfort" is the direct object. It indicates the action of finding solace or reassurance. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it's often followed by a prepositional phrase clarifying the source of comfort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "took comfort" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase expressing the action of finding solace or reassurance. As demonstrated by Ludwig's AI, it appears most commonly in news and media sources, with neutral formality. While the phrase is versatile, consider the specific nuance you want to convey and whether alternatives like "found solace" or "gained reassurance" may be more appropriate in certain contexts. Avoiding misuse involves ensuring the situation reflects genuine emotional coping rather than active problem-solving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

found solace

Replaces "took comfort" with a more literary term, emphasizing emotional relief.

drew consolation

A more formal synonym for "took comfort", implying a sense of being consoled.

gained reassurance

Focuses on the aspect of feeling secure and confident, rather than general comfort.

was consoled

Similar to "drew consolation", emphasizing the act of being comforted.

felt relieved

Highlights the alleviation of stress or anxiety.

rested assured

Similar to "gained reassurance", but with a stronger sense of certainty.

was heartened

Suggests a boost in spirits or courage, often from an external source.

derived strength

Emphasizes gaining inner power or resilience from a situation.

was encouraged

Focuses on receiving positive motivation or support.

found peace

Implies a deeper sense of serenity and tranquility.

FAQs

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

You can use "took comfort" to express finding solace or reassurance in a particular situation. For example: "After the accident, she "took comfort" in the support of her family."

What's a more formal way to say "took comfort"?

Alternatives like "drew consolation" or "found solace" are more formal options for "took comfort".

Is it always appropriate to use "took comfort"?

While grammatically correct, "took comfort" may not always be the most precise choice. Consider if "gained reassurance" or "felt relieved" better reflects the specific emotion or action.

What's the difference between "took comfort" and "took solace"?

Both phrases suggest finding relief, but "took solace" often implies a deeper, more profound sense of emotional healing, whereas "took comfort" can refer to more general reassurance.