took for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean "received as true," "assumed," or "understood." For example: "I took for granted that my friend would stay for dinner, but she left unexpectedly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's all it took for me!

The New York Times

Recording it took for ever.

The Guardian

Things friends took for granted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Were they painkillers he took for himself?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was something I took for granted.

The New York Times

Describes a synchronized-swimming lesson she took for the role.

The New Yorker

I took for granted that he would always be there.

The New York Times - Sports

"What a bullet you took for us," he whispered.

The New Yorker

That was all it took for the stock market.

The New York Times

That was all it took for the docks to link.

The New York Times

That's what it took for me to rebel.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took for" when you want to express that something was assumed, mistaken, or considered in a particular way based on a past event or action. For example: "I took his silence for agreement."

Common error

Avoid using "took for" when you actually mean "took on". "Took for" implies assumption or misidentification, while "took on" implies accepting a responsibility or challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took for" functions as a verb phrase indicating assumption, misidentification, or considering something in a particular way. As Ludwig highlights, it suggests a past action that influenced a current understanding or belief.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "took for" is a versatile verb phrase used to express assumption, misidentification, or considering something in a certain way. As Ludwig underlines, this expression is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across diverse contexts, particularly in "news & media", "science", and "encyclopedias". Remember to use "took for" when indicating an assumption based on past events, and avoid confusing it with similar phrases like "take on". Using this information, you can confidently employ "took for" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mistook for

Implies a misunderstanding or error in identifying something.

assumed as

Suggests a presumption or belief without concrete evidence.

considered as

Indicates a formal evaluation or judgment.

regarded as

Similar to considered as, but often implies a more general or widespread opinion.

presumed to be

Highlights the act of taking something as true based on probability.

believed to be

Indicates a conviction or acceptance of something as true.

understood as

Focuses on the interpretation or comprehension of something.

accepted as

Implies a general agreement or recognition of something.

identified as

Highlights the act of recognizing or classifying something.

interpreted as

Emphasizes the subjective understanding or meaning attributed to something.

FAQs

What does "took for" mean?

The phrase "took for" generally means to assume, consider, or mistake something to be something else. For example, "I "mistook for" a rock what was actually a turtle".

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

You can use "took for" to indicate that you assumed something was true. For example, "She "presumed to be" uninterested when she didn't respond immediately".

What's the difference between "took for granted" and "assumed"?

"Took for granted" implies that something was undervalued or not fully appreciated, while "assumed" simply means to believe something without proof. For example, "I "assumed as" my friend will help me, so i am not even worried.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "took for"?

Some alternatives include "regarded as", "considered as", or ""mistook for"", depending on the specific context and intended meaning.