took sides

USAGE SUMMARY

"took sides" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to choose one side or opinion over another in a disagreement or conflict. Example: During the family argument, Sarah took her sister's side while their brother took their parents' side.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Politicians took sides.

The Economist

Everybody took sides.

The New York Times - Sports

Notable intellectuals took sides.

The New York Times - Arts

I took sides long ago.

The New York Times - Sports

The class took sides.

The New York Times - Books

But people took sides.

The New York Times

He took sides.

The New York Times

Other Paris thinkers took sides.

The Guardian

The readers took sides on everything.

The Guardian

The justices quickly took sides as well.

The Washington Post

"When I was seven I took sides.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took sides", ensure the context clearly indicates the opposing sides or viewpoints. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone "took sides" without specifying which sides were involved. Always provide sufficient context to make the alignment clear to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took sides" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of choosing a particular position or alignment in a conflict, disagreement, or debate. Ludwig provides examples that illustrate this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took sides" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of choosing a specific position in a dispute or conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its frequent occurrence in news and media highlights its relevance in reporting events where alignment and opposition are key elements. When employing "took sides", ensure the context clearly defines the opposing viewpoints to maintain clarity. While similar phrases like ""sided with"" or "aligned themselves with" can be used, "took sides" provides a straightforward way to convey a decision to support one party over another.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sided with

Indicates supporting one party over another, directly comparable to taking a side.

aligned themselves with

Suggests a deliberate act of joining a particular group or cause.

declared their allegiance

Implies a formal or strong commitment to a specific side.

threw their weight behind

Highlights the influence or support given to a particular side.

came out in support of

Emphasizes a public declaration of support.

rallied behind

Suggests gathering support and unity for a cause or party.

espoused the cause of

Implies advocating for a particular belief or movement.

cast their lot with

Suggests making a decision to join a particular group, with potential risks or rewards.

leaned toward

Indicates a tendency to favor one side over another without fully committing.

showed partiality to

Suggests a bias or preference for one side, often subtly.

FAQs

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

You can use "took sides" to describe someone choosing a position in a dispute, such as, "During the debate, she "sided with" the environmental activists."

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

A more formal alternative to "took sides" could be "aligned themselves with", which suggests a more deliberate and considered decision.

Is it always necessary to specify which sides were involved when using "took sides"?

Yes, specifying the sides involved provides essential context and avoids ambiguity. For example, "He "came out in support of" the proposal" is clearer than simply saying "He took sides."

What is the difference between "took sides" and "remained neutral"?

"Took sides" indicates choosing a specific position in a conflict, while "remained neutral" means not supporting any particular side. They represent opposite approaches to a dispute.