took me out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took me out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when a person or thing takes someone somewhere, whether figuratively or literally. For example, "My boss took me out to lunch to thank me for all my hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gino took me out rowing.

The New Yorker

"He took me out on the Mississippi".

The New York Times

One night an editor friend took me out for drinks.

The New York Times

Later Afghan police came and took me out," he said.

The Guardian

"They took me out and tried to fix it.

The New York Times - Sports

"So then he took me out for a shopping spree".

The New York Times - Sports

"I got wild and Casey took me out," Larsen said.

The New York Times - Sports

Robin Cook took me out to lunch in February 2000.

The Guardian

"He took me out, and then the fireman came over.

The New York Times

During my last visit with him, Murdock took me out to see the koi.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Someone took me out from behind and someone clipped me," Holland related.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took me out" to indicate that someone escorted you for a specific purpose, such as dining, entertainment, or a task.

Common error

Avoid using "took me out" when you mean simply 'removed' or 'extracted' if there was no implied social or relational component to the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took me out" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, where 'took' is the past tense of 'take' and 'out' acts as an adverbial particle. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its usage in describing a person escorting or removing someone. It is used to show someones action on the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

2%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took me out" is a versatile phrasal verb commonly used to describe the act of someone escorting another person for various purposes, from social outings to forced removals. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts—including news, sports, and general conversation—make it a reliable choice. However, understanding its various connotations and potential for misuse is crucial for effective communication. Consider the context to ensure the intended meaning is clear, and explore alternative phrases to convey subtle nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

escorted me

Focuses on the action of providing company and guidance.

accompanied me

Highlights the act of going somewhere with someone.

showed me around

Emphasizes giving a tour or introducing someone to a place.

invited me out

Stresses the invitation aspect of going somewhere.

removed me

Focuses on the action of physical displacement from a situation.

extracted me

Emphasizes the process of being carefully taken away.

rescued me

Highlights a situation where someone is saved from a negative situation.

distracted me

Focuses on drawing attention away from something.

eradicated me

Focuses on destroying or getting rid of something completely.

transported me

Highlights the movement of something or someone.

FAQs

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

Use "took me out" to describe when someone escorted you for a specific reason, such as "My friend "took me out" for dinner to celebrate my birthday".

What's a more formal way to say "took me out"?

Depending on the context, more formal alternatives could include "escorted me", "accompanied me", or "invited me out".

Can "took me out" have a negative connotation?

Yes, in some contexts, "took me out" can imply a forceful or unwanted removal, such as "The security guards "took me out" of the building".

What's the difference between "took me out" and "helped me out"?

"Took me out" implies escorting someone, while "helped me out" suggests providing assistance. The phrases are not interchangeable.