took time out

USAGE SUMMARY

"took time out" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase to express taking a break or a divergence from a task or objective to focus on other priorities. e.g. After a long day of studying, I took some time out to relax and watch my favorite movie.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They took time out and started reflecting.

The New York Times

And she took time out to marvel at the view from the terrace.

The New Yorker

Donohue took time out from hyperventilating against the president to hyperventilate against the rapper Nicki Minaj.

The New York Times

He took time out for me and that shows the unity in the squad at Arsenal".

The Guardian - Sport

In 2004 Mr Jobs took time out after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The Economist

Starbuck took time out from editing her new manuscript, "Sex Perhaps," to answer a few questions.

The New Yorker

He said he was happy that Frank took time out for him.

The New York Times

He acknowledged that he took time out for certain things: "Eating and opening mail".

The New York Times - Sports

Bush, on his way to Auschwitz, took time out to tell Polish television, "We found the weapons of mass destruction".

The New Yorker

She also took time out to engage in some banter with Moscow's Enemy No 1, President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Independent

Five News' Natasha Kaplinski took time out from babysitting to strut the red carpet, much to the waiting paparazzi's delight.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took time out" when you want to emphasize a temporary break from a main activity to do something else. For example, "She took time out from writing her novel to attend the conference".

Common error

Avoid using "took time out" to describe someone leaving a job or activity permanently. Instead, use phrases like "resigned from", "left", or "retired from".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took time out" functions as a verb phrase, typically used within a clause to indicate that someone or something paused from an activity, task, or routine to engage in something else. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and appropriate usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "took time out" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that signifies a temporary break or interruption from one activity to engage in another. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in various contexts, most notably in news and media sources. Its communicative purpose is to highlight a deliberate diversion, and its register remains largely neutral. While "took time out" is suitable for diverse scenarios, it's crucial to avoid using it for permanent departures, opting instead for terms like "resigned" or "left". Consider using alternatives such as "took a break" or "paused briefly" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took a break

Simple and direct synonym, but less specific about the purpose.

stopped temporarily

Highlights the temporary nature of stopping an activity.

paused briefly

Focuses on the brevity of the interruption.

interrupted briefly

Highlights the action of stopping something temporarily.

broke away briefly

Suggests a quick departure from an ongoing task.

took a recess

Emphasizes a formal or scheduled break.

set aside time

Highlights the act of allocating specific time for something else.

took a breather

Implies a short break for rest or relaxation.

suspended activity

More formal, suggesting a deliberate pause.

took a hiatus

Implies a more extended break or pause.

FAQs

How to use "took time out" in a sentence?

Use "took time out" to indicate that someone paused their main activity for a specific period to do something else. For example, "He "took time out" from his busy schedule to attend the meeting".

What can I say instead of "took time out"?

You can use alternatives like "took a break", "paused briefly", or "interrupted briefly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "took time out" or "take time out"?

"Took time out" is the past tense form, used when describing an action that has already occurred. "Take time out" is the present tense or infinitive form, used for general statements or future actions.

What's the difference between "took time out" and "took time off"?

"Took time out" generally means pausing from one activity to do another, while "took time off" means taking a break from work or other responsibilities for leisure or rest.