took files

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took files" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the action of retrieving or obtaining files, typically in a context involving data or documents. Example: "She took files from the server to prepare for the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The investigators took files and other documents from the offices, he said.

The New York Times - Tech

The burglars took files and records, but no valuables, he has said.

The New York Times

Shortly afterward, state inspectors visited his office, he said, and took files of Lyme patients.

The New York Times - Health

Manning and Snowden were more impulsive: they took files and dumped them.

The New Yorker

They took financial information from SolarWorld, a maker of solar panels; gained access to computers owned by US Steel while it was in a trade dispute with a state-owned company; and took files from Alcoa, an aluminium producer, while it was in a joint venture with another Chinese government-backed firm.

The Economist

In February the coalition, which is based in Ossining, N.Y., had sued its former executive director, Raymond Clifford, and his brother, John Clifford, another ex-employee, for unspecified money damages, claiming they took files and "confidential financial information" while making disparaging remarks.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

What it does is take files that have not been accessed for a specified number of days and compress them to save disk space.

The Guardian - Tech

My colleagues take files home to work on Saturdays, on top of working through lunch, going in early and leaving late.

The Guardian

It takes files in ASCII format as input.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Hackers breach Healthcare.gov system, taking files on 75,000 people.

TechCrunch

DVD Jon built a little web-based application that takes files from almost any device and puts them onto any other device or social network.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took files", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the action was authorized or unauthorized. Consider using synonyms like "retrieved" or "obtained" for formal situations and "grabbed" or "snatched" for informal or negative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "take files" when the action has already occurred; use "took files". "Take files" is appropriate for future or habitual actions, for example: "They will take files tomorrow" or "They take files every Monday".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "took files" is as a verb phrase where "took" functions as the main verb in the past tense, and "files" serves as the direct object. Ludwig shows examples in contexts ranging from investigations to data handling.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took files" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that describes a past action of acquiring or removing files. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in contexts related to news, science, and general information. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates whether the action was authorized or unauthorized, and avoid confusing it with the present or future tense form "take files". Considering alternatives such as "retrieved documents" or "obtained records" can refine the tone and specificity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retrieved documents

Replaces "took" with a more formal synonym and "files" with a similar term.

obtained records

Emphasizes acquisition; "records" is a synonym for "files".

acquired documents

Focuses on the act of gaining possession of files.

removed files

Highlights the action of taking files away from a location.

seized data

Implies a forceful or official taking of digital files.

copied files

Focuses on duplicating files rather than physically taking them.

downloaded files

Specifically refers to obtaining files from a digital source.

stole files

Indicates an illegal or unauthorized taking of files.

transferred documents

Highlights the movement of files from one place to another.

accessed files

Focuses on the act of viewing or using files, not necessarily taking them.

FAQs

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

You can use "took files" to describe the act of retrieving or acquiring files in the past. For example, "The investigator "took files" from the office as part of the investigation."

What are some alternatives to "took files"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "retrieved documents", "obtained records", or "acquired documents".

Is it correct to say "taken files" instead of "took files"?

No, "taken files" is the past participle and requires a helping verb. The correct simple past tense is "took files", for example: "They "took files" yesterday."

What is the difference between "took files" and "take files"?

"Took files" refers to a past action, while "take files" refers to a present or future action. For example, "They "took files" last week", versus "They will "take files" next week".