took men

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took men" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is referring to having taken or recruited men for a specific purpose, such as in a military or organizational setting. Example: "The general took men from various units to form a new battalion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"No matter how often I took men out on patrol, I always brought everyone back," he said.

The New York Times

When they were fifteen, the bathyscaphe took men down to photograph the bottom of the Pacific Ocean's deepest hole.

The New Yorker

A fleet of 80 buses took men, women, children and groups of unaccompanied minors out of the area.

The Guardian

Von Braun saw the weaponizing of rockets as a kind of awkward adolescence for the vehicles, whose true destiny would arrive when they took men to other planets.

The New Yorker

These marvels are far smaller than the towering rockets and streamlined spacecraft that took men into orbit and to the Moon.

The New York Times - Science

Given that it took men 10 years to come to accept the three-button as standard, it will not be giving way anytime soon.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The last time they were, they took Manning.

The New York Times - Sports

Funding cuts because refuges do not take men.

The Guardian

"The more countries that take men, the better," he said.

The New York Times

"It doesn't really take men or women's sides".

The Guardian

It's not the only reality show that takes men to the great outdoors of course.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "took men", ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose or destination of the men. For enhanced clarity, consider specifying the reason the men were taken, such as "took men into custody" or "took men to the moon".

Common error

Avoid using "took men" without specifying the direction or purpose. Ensure the sentence provides enough context to prevent misinterpretations. For example, instead of just "they took men", specify "they took men hostage" or "they took men to the training camp."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took men" primarily functions as a verb phrase where "took" is the past tense of the verb "take" and "men" is the direct object. As shown by Ludwig, it describes a completed action of taking or involving men in some activity or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took men" is a grammatically correct and relatively common verb phrase used to describe a past action involving men. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is generally accepted and used across various contexts, especially in News & Media. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide enough context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "recruited men" or "enlisted men" might be more specific depending on the intended meaning. Ensuring clarity prevents misinterpretations and enhances the overall effectiveness of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enlisted men

Focuses specifically on recruiting men, especially for military service.

recruited men

Implies a more deliberate and organized effort to gather men for a specific purpose.

gathered men

Suggests a simple collection or assembly of men, without necessarily implying force or coercion.

selected men

Highlights the act of choosing men based on certain criteria.

appointed men

Implies formally assigning men to a role or position.

hired men

Focuses on employing men for work or service.

captured men

Emphasizes the act of seizing or apprehending men, often in a conflict situation.

escorted men

Highlights the action of accompanying and guarding men.

transported men

Refers to the act of conveying men from one place to another.

ferried men

Specifically indicates transporting men, typically across a body of water.

FAQs

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

The phrase "took men" is used to describe the action of leading, escorting, or capturing men for a specific purpose or to a specific location. For example: "The army took men as prisoners of war", or "The spacecraft took men to the moon".

What are some alternatives to using "took men"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "recruited men", "enlisted men", or "gathered men". Each option conveys a slightly different nuance regarding the method and intention behind involving the men.

Is it more appropriate to say "took men" or "took males"?

While both are grammatically correct, "took men" is generally more common and natural-sounding in most contexts. "Took males" is more formal and might be used in scientific or statistical contexts where biological sex is the primary focus.

What is the difference between saying "took men" and "taken men"?

"Took men" is the simple past tense, describing an action that happened in the past. "Taken men" is the past participle, typically used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., "They have taken men") to form perfect tenses or passive voice constructions.