took ownership

USAGE SUMMARY

"took ownership" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone taking responsibility for something, such as a task or project. For example: "The manager took ownership of the project and made sure it was completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So he took ownership.

The New York Times

He took ownership without taking control.

The New Yorker

"We took ownership of the civil war in Libya.

The New Yorker

Lanier took ownership of his body, his health.

The New York Times - Sports

In March 2011, he and another bartender took ownership.

The Guardian - Business

"He took ownership of that term; it was in his first monologue".

Independent

So the younger Mr. Parker took ownership, and Dow took the site down last Wednesday night.

The New York Times

Vandals destroyed them, and the town took ownership of the land in the 1970's.

The New York Times

"If there was a mark of my administration it's that everyone took ownership".

The New York Times

"The country took ownership of the problem themselves," Dr Pedro Alonso said.

The Guardian

Benny Feilhaber never took ownership of the midfield the way everyone around SKC wanted.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took ownership" when you want to emphasize that someone not only accepted responsibility but also acted decisively to manage or control a situation or object.

Common error

Ensure the sentence clearly identifies who "took ownership". Avoid vague constructions where it's unclear who assumed the responsibility. For example, instead of "Ownership was taken", specify "The manager took ownership".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took ownership" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of assuming responsibility, control, or possession of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took ownership" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of assuming responsibility, control, or possession. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and very commonly used in various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. To ensure clarity, writers should clearly identify who "took ownership". Alternatives like "assumed responsibility" or ""took charge"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using "took ownership", keep in mind the importance of active voice and clarity in identifying the subject assuming responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assumed responsibility

Focuses on accepting the duty and accountability for something.

assumed control

Highlights the act of gaining power or authority over something.

took charge

Emphasizes the act of leading and directing a situation.

became responsible

Indicates a transition to a state of being accountable.

acquired control

Stresses the act of obtaining control, often through specific actions.

laid claim to

Highlights establishing a right or title to something.

stepped up

Focuses on proactively accepting responsibility and taking action.

embraced accountability

Highlights the acceptance of responsibility and the consequences of one's actions.

took the reins

Implies taking control and guiding something forward.

shouldered the burden

Emphasizes taking on a difficult or challenging responsibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "took ownership" to indicate someone assumed responsibility or control. For instance, "She "took ownership" of the project and ensured its success".

What are some alternatives to saying "took ownership"?

Alternatives include "assumed responsibility", "took charge", or "became responsible", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "took ownership" or "taken ownership"?

"Took ownership" is the simple past tense, while "taken ownership" is the past participle used with auxiliary verbs like 'has' or 'had'. Use "took ownership" for completed actions in the past, and "has/had taken ownership" when the action has relevance to the present.

What does it mean when someone "takes ownership" of a problem?

It means they are accepting responsibility for solving the problem and are committed to finding a resolution. They are not passing the blame but rather "assuming responsibility" for the outcome.