took me aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took me aside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone wants to have a private conversation or discussion away from others. Example: "During the meeting, she took me aside to discuss my performance in a more personal manner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"His grandmother took me aside.

The New Yorker

Craig took me aside.

The Guardian - Sport

Katy took me aside after rehearsal.

The New Yorker

And slowly, one by one, they took me aside.

The New York Times

Later, though, she took me aside, hushed and confidential.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The cardiologist I had just spoken with took me aside.

The New York Times - Health

Anyway, she took me aside and chided me.

The New York Times

However, Ms. Leibfried took me aside and suggested I do something "a little different".

The New York Times

Seconds before he announced his resignation to the newsroom in 1984, he took me aside.

The New York Times

Back on land I talked excitedly about what we had seen, but Felipe took me aside.

Independent

"My platoon sergeant took me aside and said, 'You can't do that.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "took me aside"; it often implies a degree of confidentiality or seriousness in the ensuing discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "took me aside" in extremely formal writing where a more professional term like "requested a private meeting" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took me aside" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action of leading someone away from a group for a private conversation. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a commonly used phrase in many contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took me aside" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of leading someone away from a group for a private conversation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While the phrase maintains a neutral tone, it's important to consider more professional alternatives like "requested a private meeting" in highly formal settings. Related phrases include "pulled me aside" and "led me away", each offering a slightly different nuance to the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pulled me aside

Emphasis on the physical action of being moved away.

led me away

Focuses on guidance to a different location.

took me into another room

Focuses on the change of location for the private discussion.

called me over

Suggests a less formal invitation for a private discussion.

asked to speak with me privately

Similar to 'requested a word', but slightly less formal.

requested a word with me in private

More formal way of asking for a private conversation.

isolated me from the group

Highlights the separation aspect, possibly against one's will.

whispered in my ear

Emphasizes secrecy and intimacy during the conversation.

signaled for a private conversation

Similar to 'motioned me to follow', but more explicit about the intent.

motioned me to follow

Highlights non-verbal communication leading to a private discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "took me aside" in a sentence?

You can use "took me aside" to describe someone initiating a private conversation. For example, "After the meeting, my manager "took me aside" to discuss my performance."

What are some alternatives to "took me aside"?

Alternatives include phrases like "pulled me aside", "led me away", or "requested a private word", depending on the context.

Is "took me aside" formal or informal?

"Took me aside" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. For more formal situations, phrases like "requested a private meeting" might be preferable.

What does it imply when someone "takes you aside"?

It usually implies that the person wants to have a private conversation, often to discuss something sensitive, important, or confidential.