took exception to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took exception to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone disagrees with an idea, or to indicate that someone strongly rejects something. Example: The senator took exception to the proposed changes to the health care system.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Vajpayee took exception to the criticism.

The New York Times

Dowie, not surprisingly, took exception to this.

The Guardian - Sport

Warren took exception to the Clinton camp's critique.

The New Yorker

Toni, daughter of longtime Alaskans, took exception to this.

The New Yorker

He took exception to it, shouted the guy down".

The New York Times

That was the issue I took exception to".

BBC

Mayor Lawrence A. Blatte took exception to that charge.

The New York Times

Ms. Schmitt took exception to Mr. Amper's banner.

The New York Times

Bobbie chastised him, and Vicki took exception to that.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the president-elect took exception to the cast's intervention.

The Guardian

It appears Davies took exception to being called "Jonathan Creek".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took exception to" when you want to convey a sense of mild indignation or disagreement with a specific statement or action. It's more nuanced than a simple disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "took exception to" in extremely formal or informal contexts. It fits best in professional, news-related, or mildly formal settings. For very formal situations, opt for "objected to" or "expressed disagreement with". For casual settings, simpler phrases like "disagreed" or "didn't like" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took exception to" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that the subject disagreed with something and often felt slightly offended or challenged by it. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took exception to" is a commonly used idiomatic phrase that expresses disagreement, often with a hint of offense or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its frequent appearance in news and media sources, signifying its place in neutral to mildly formal discourse. When writing, consider the level of formality needed, opting for phrases like "objected to" in more formal contexts or simpler disagreements in casual conversations. Remember, using "took exception to" suggests more than just disagreement; it conveys a sense of feeling challenged or affronted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took issue with

Very close in meaning, indicating a specific point of contention.

objected to

Implies a formal expression of disapproval, slightly less emphatic than the original.

disagreed with

A more general term for not agreeing, lacking the intensity of 'took exception to'.

protested against

Suggests a stronger, more active form of disagreement, often involving public demonstration.

expressed disapproval of

A more formal and verbose way of indicating disagreement.

opposed

Actively working against something, indicating a stronger stance than simply disagreeing.

challenged

Suggests questioning the validity or correctness of something.

contradicted

Directly opposing a statement or idea.

demurred at

To raise doubts or objections or show reluctance.

rebutted

Offering evidence or argument to refute an assertion.

FAQs

How to use "took exception to" in a sentence?

Use "took exception to" to indicate that someone disagreed with something and felt mildly offended or challenged by it. For instance, "The committee "took exception to" the proposed budget cuts".

What can I say instead of "took exception to"?

You can use alternatives like "disagreed with", "objected to", or "took issue with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "took exception to" or "took objection to"?

Both ""took exception to"" and "took objection to" are acceptable, but "took exception to" is more commonly used to express disagreement or mild offense. "Took objection to" is correct but less frequent.

What's the difference between "took exception to" and "disagreed with"?

"Took exception to" implies a stronger, often slightly offended reaction to something, while "disagreed with" is a more neutral expression of differing opinions.