took the throne

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took the throne" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone has assumed a position of power or authority. For example: When the newly-crowned king took the throne, all of his supporters celebrated.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With a strong military backing, Sheshonk eventually took the throne.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon his father's death in 1137, Owain took the throne of North Wales.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cyrus revolted, however, shortly after his brother Artaxerxes took the throne.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most Thais are too young to remember a time before Bhumibol took the throne.

The Economist

Abdullah took the throne last week after the death of his half brother, King Fahd.

The Washington Post

Jigme formally took the throne in 2008, two years after his father's abdication.

The Washington Post

There were no republican riots, as there were when she took the throne in 1980.

The Guardian - Opinion

Once you took the throne and had to secure your claim, you eliminated the competition.

The Guardian

Philippe, who took the throne in 2013 when his father Albert abdicated, has caused few waves.

The Guardian

Géza took the throne, and, on his death, in 1077, Ladislas succeeded him as king of Hungary.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was the son and successor of Artaxerxes II and was called Ochus before he took the throne.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took the throne" to describe the moment someone assumes power as a monarch or similar ruler. Ensure the context clearly indicates a transition of leadership.

Common error

Avoid using "took the throne" when describing a coup or illegitimate seizure of power unless you explicitly want to downplay the negative connotations. Consider alternatives like "seized the throne" or "usurped the throne" to accurately reflect the circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took the throne" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of assuming a position of monarchical power. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took the throne" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to describe the act of assuming monarchical power. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's versatile enough to appear in news reports, encyclopedias, and casual discussions. However, be mindful of its implications regarding legitimacy, as it might be more precise to use "seized" or "usurped" when describing an illegal acquisition of power. With 55 real-world examples, Ludwig highlights its wide applicability in different sources, with News & Media and Encyclopedias being the most frequent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ascended to the throne

Emphasizes a formal and ceremonial transition to power.

assumed the throne

Highlights the act of taking on the responsibilities and authority of the monarchy.

inherited the throne

Implies that the position was obtained through hereditary succession.

acceded to the throne

A more formal synonym for ascending or assuming power.

seized the throne

Suggests a forceful or opportunistic acquisition of power, often through illegitimate means.

came to power

A more general term indicating the attainment of political authority.

rose to power

Indicates a gradual increase in influence leading to a position of authority.

became the ruler

A simplified way of stating that someone is now in charge.

established reign

Focuses on the commencement of a period of rule.

assumed leadership

Implies taking on a leadership role, which can be within or outside of a monarchy.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "took the throne"?

It means someone has assumed the position of power as a monarch or ruler. It indicates the beginning of their reign.

What can I say instead of "took the throne"?

You can use alternatives like "ascended to the throne", "assumed the throne", or "came to power" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to say someone "took the throne" if they seized it illegally?

While "took the throne" can be used, it might be more accurate to say they "seized the throne" or "usurped the throne" to reflect the illegitimate nature of their ascension.

How does "took the throne" differ from "inherited the throne"?

"Took the throne" is a general term for assuming power, while "inherited the throne" specifically implies that the person received the position through hereditary succession.