took the floor

USAGE SUMMARY

"took the floor" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is speaking in a formal or public setting. For example, "The CEO took the floor to present the company's quarterly results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Several couples took the floor.

The New Yorker

Dan Holohan, a tall, bespectacled man, took the floor.

The New Yorker

Once everyone had been seated, Sulzberger took the floor.

The New Yorker

Senators took the floor to express their anger.

The New York Times

After the show, Mr. Barvir took the floor.

The New York Times

On June 26th Hugo Saguier, Paraguay's ambassador to the OAS, took the floor and lashed out.

The Economist

Tall, gaunt Judd Gregg, of New Hampshire, the bill's Republican manager, took the floor.

The New Yorker

Abdul Wahab then took the floor but was soon interrupted by Muther.

The New Yorker

A lawyer for Mr. Mallayev, Michael Siff, took the floor next.

The New York Times

Martin took the floor and exhorted the crowd, waving his arms for noise.

The New York Times - Sports

The Bruins took the floor in shiny gold jackets, their cheerleaders waving big blue banners.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took the floor" to denote the formal commencement of a speech or presentation, particularly when the setting is a meeting, debate, or other structured environment.

Common error

Avoid using "took the floor" in casual contexts. The phrase implies a formal setting, so using it to describe someone starting a conversation at a party would be inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took the floor" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of someone's speech or presentation within a structured environment. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is correct and widely used. Examples in Ludwig show its usage in news reports and formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

19%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took the floor" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the start of someone's speech or presentation in a formal setting. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and Ludwig examples demonstrate its frequent use in news and business contexts. While similar phrases like "addressed the audience" or "began speaking" exist, "took the floor" specifically implies a structured environment where someone is given the opportunity to speak, making it a valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

addressed the audience

Focuses on the act of speaking directly to an audience, omitting the setting.

began speaking

Highlights the commencement of speech, less formal than the original phrase.

addressed the assembly

Focuses on speaking to a formal assembly

was given the floor

Indicates that someone was granted the opportunity to speak, shifting the focus to permission.

commenced speaking

Similar to "began speaking" but more formal

rose to speak

Highlights the action of standing up to address an audience.

gave a speech

Emphasizes the prepared nature of the discourse, diverging from spontaneous remarks.

assumed the podium

Highlights the physical act of taking control of the speaking area, more specific in setting.

opened the discussion

Focuses on initiating a discussion rather than a formal speech.

presented their argument

Emphasizes the presentation of a specific viewpoint, focusing on content.

FAQs

What does "took the floor" mean?

It means someone has started to speak in a formal setting, such as a meeting or a debate.

What's another way to say "took the floor"?

You could say the person "addressed the audience", "began speaking", or "was given the floor" depending on the context.

Is "took the floor" formal or informal?

The phrase "took the floor" is considered formal and is typically used in professional or official settings.

How do I use "took the floor" in a sentence?

For example, "The senator "addressed the audience" to present their new bill".