took from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was taken or obtained from a specific source or location. Example: "She took from the library the book she needed for her research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was what I took from it".

Independent

Construction, on the Thames, took from 1855 to 1858.

The New Yorker

The people of Palestine took from Lebanon.

Columbia University

Moreover, they took from him other units.

Yale University

What they took from Princeton, it's ridiculous.

Princeton University

And that's what I took from Boalt.

University of California, Berkeley

What we took from the conference, Fr.

Yale University

That's what I took from the video.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's what you took from it.

The Guardian - Film

But that's what I took from it".

The Guardian

He took from his briefcase an 83-page manuscript.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took from", ensure clarity about the source and what was taken. For instance, specify whether it was a physical object, an idea, or an abstract concept to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "took from" when "took it from" is more appropriate for clarity. "He took the book from the shelf" is preferable to "He took from the shelf" because it specifies the object.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took from" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the act of obtaining or deriving something from a specific source. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis and numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts to denote extraction, acquisition, or learning from a particular origin.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took from" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate the derivation or extraction of something from a specific origin. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and scientific discourse. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying both the source and what was taken. While alternatives like "derived from" or "obtained from" exist, "took from" remains a direct and commonly understood way to express the concept of acquiring something from a source.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtained from

Indicates gaining possession of something, often through effort or a specific process.

gained from

Emphasizes the benefit or advantage obtained from something.

derived from

Implies a direct origin or source; suggests a process of obtaining something.

acquired from

Suggests gaining possession of something, often through purchase or trade.

extracted from

Suggests a process of carefully removing or drawing something out of a larger source.

learned from

Specifically refers to acquiring knowledge or skills from an experience or source.

borrowed from

Implies temporary use with the intention of returning; less permanent than "took from".

copied from

Implies direct replication or imitation of something.

accepted from

Highlights the act of receiving something willingly or formally.

appropriated from

Suggests taking something for one's own use, sometimes without permission or acknowledgement.

FAQs

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

The phrase "took from" indicates that something was obtained or derived from a source. For example, "She "took from" her experience valuable lessons" or "The design "took from" ancient patterns".

What are some alternatives to "took from"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "derived from", "obtained from", or "extracted from" to convey similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "took from" or should I use another preposition?

The phrase "took from" is grammatically correct when indicating the source from which something was taken. Other prepositions might be suitable depending on the specific meaning you want to convey. For example, you might use "took out of" to indicate removal from within something.

What's the difference between "borrowed from" and "took from"?

"Borrowed from" implies a temporary use with the intention of returning the item. "Took from", on the other hand, generally suggests a permanent removal or derivation, without the expectation of return. For example, I "borrowed from" the library, but I "took from" my savings.