took on

USAGE SUMMARY

"took on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as a phrasal verb to mean "to start doing or dealing with something, usually something difficult or challenging." Example sentence: She took on the challenge of creating her own business.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He took on Japan.

The New York Times - Sports

She took on the unions.

The New York Times

Eastman took on Joel as a client.

The New Yorker

Some panelists took on this subject provocatively.

The New York Times

But the tensions took on seamier aspects.

The New Yorker

Mills eventually took on larger responsibilities.

The New York Times - Sports

Familiar events took on entirely new meanings.

The New York Times

His life took on such interesting colors.

The New York Times

Her days soon took on a routine.

The New Yorker

But it quickly took on mythic proportions.

The New York Times - Magazine

He probably took on too much.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took on", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean assuming a responsibility, confronting an opponent, or something else that requires further commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "took on" in overly passive constructions; active voice often provides more clarity and impact. For example, instead of "The project was taken on by the team", consider "The team took on the project".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "took on" is as a phrasal verb, specifically the past tense of "take on". It commonly functions as the main verb within a clause, indicating an action of assuming responsibility, confronting a challenge, or acquiring a characteristic. Ludwig AI indicates its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

11%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took on" is a versatile phrasal verb indicating the assumption of responsibility, confrontation of a challenge, or adoption of a new quality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in diverse contexts. It's most frequently encountered in news and media, science, and encyclopedic sources, with a neutral register. To ensure clarity, use active voice and consider context when choosing between "took on" and similar phrases like "assumed responsibility for" or "undertook". Avoid overusing it in passive constructions for a more direct and impactful writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assumed responsibility for

Emphasizes acceptance of duty or obligation.

undertook

Formal synonym, suggesting a deliberate and serious commitment.

embarked on

Implies beginning a journey or enterprise.

dealt with

Focuses on managing or handling a situation or issue.

grappled with

Highlights a struggle or difficulty in handling something.

confronted

Suggests facing a challenge or opponent directly.

accepted

Indicates willingness to receive or bear something.

shouldered

Implies bearing a burden or responsibility.

tackled

Suggests approaching a problem with energy and determination.

addressed

Focuses on giving attention to a matter.

FAQs

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

You can use "took on" to indicate accepting a responsibility (e.g., "She took on the project management role"), confronting a challenge (e.g., "He took on the difficult task of negotiating the contract"), or adopting a new quality (e.g., "The situation took on a more serious tone").

What are some alternatives to "took on"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "assumed responsibility for", "undertook", or "dealt with".

Is it correct to say "taken on" instead of "took on"?

While "took on" is the simple past tense, "taken on" is the past participle, often used with auxiliary verbs like "has", "have", or "had". For example, "She has taken on many responsibilities" is correct, while "She took on many responsibilities" uses the simple past correctly.

What's the difference between "took on" and "faced"?

"Took on" often implies accepting a challenge or responsibility, whereas "faced" simply means encountering or confronting something. You might "face" a problem without necessarily "taking it on" to solve it.