took him in

USAGE SUMMARY

"took him in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone accepted a person into their home or care, for example: "When the homeless man had nowhere else to go, the old widow kindly took him in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His parents took him in.

The New Yorker

His father took him in.

The Guardian

I took him in my arms.

The Guardian

I took him in for the first time.

The New York Times - Magazine

But I took him in as my own son.

The New York Times

The Bengals took him in the second round.

The New York Times - Sports

A family he never met took him in until morning.

The New York Times

A man named Marius Gronvold took him in.

The New York Times

But then his paw hurt, so we took him in.

The New York Times

We took him in cabs without car seats.

The New York Times - Travel

The directorship took him in late 1993 to Madagascar.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took him in", ensure the context clearly indicates who is providing the shelter or care and why. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "took him in" when the context implies something other than providing shelter or care. For instance, don't use it to mean "deceived him" or "arrested him" as those have different idiomatic expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took him in" functions as a phrasal verb, where "took" is the past tense of the verb "take" and "in" is a particle. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable expression. Its primary grammatical function is to express the action of providing someone with shelter or care.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "took him in" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of providing someone with shelter or care, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of communication styles. Alternatives like "sheltered him" or "welcomed him" offer nuanced variations, but the core meaning remains consistent. When employing this phrase, clarity in context is crucial to avoid ambiguity and maintain narrative strength.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gave him a home

Highlights the act of providing a dwelling and a sense of belonging.

sheltered him

Focuses on providing protection and refuge.

provided him shelter

Emphasizes the act of giving protection from the elements or danger.

gave him refuge

Emphasizes the act of providing a safe haven.

welcomed him

Highlights the act of receiving someone with open arms.

offered him sanctuary

Highlights the provision of a safe and peaceful place.

accommodated him

Stresses the provision of housing or lodging.

made him welcome

Emphasizes the act of creating a welcoming environment.

housed him

Specifically refers to providing a place to live.

let him stay

A more informal way of expressing permission to reside somewhere.

FAQs

What does "took him in" mean?

The phrase "took him in" generally means to provide someone with shelter, care, or accommodation, often when they are in need. It implies accepting someone into your home or care.

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

You can use "took him in" to describe a situation where someone provided assistance to another, such as "After his house burned down, his neighbor "took him in"."

What are some alternatives to "took him in"?

Some alternatives to "took him in" include "sheltered him", "gave him refuge", or "welcomed him", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "took him in" formal or informal?

The phrase "took him in" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in narrative or descriptive writing.