took up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “took up” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to taking up a hobby, task, or job. For example: “She took up painting as a way to pass the time during quarantine.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I took up cycling.

The New York Times

BlackRock took up the challenge.

The Economist

I just took up running.

The New Yorker

Ant recently took up boxing.

Independent

They never took up arms.

The New York Times

Knowles, meanwhile, took up painting.

The New Yorker

They took up a correspondence.

The New Yorker

Norwegians took up his call.

The New York Times

Then he took up rowing.

The New Yorker

He took up karate again.

The New Yorker

She took up her pen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took up" to indicate the start of a new hobby, interest, or responsibility. For example, "After retiring, he "took up" gardening to fill his time".

Common error

Avoid using "took up" interchangeably with similar phrasal verbs like "picked up" or "taken on" without considering the specific nuance. "Took up" implies starting something new, while "picked up" suggests acquiring a skill incidentally or after some time, and "taken on" refers to accepting a responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "took up" functions primarily as a verb of initiation or commencement. It signifies the act of beginning something new, such as a hobby, activity, or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took up" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the commencement of a new activity, hobby, or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in news and media contexts. When using "took up", ensure it aligns with the past tense and consider the nuances of similar phrasal verbs like "picked up" or "taken on". By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively incorporate "took up" into their writing to clearly convey the initiation of a new endeavor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started

Focuses on the initiation of an activity, omitting the sense of commitment or dedication that "took up" implies.

began

Similar to 'started' but can suggest a more formal or deliberate commencement.

embarked on

Implies a significant undertaking or journey, suggesting more commitment than "took up".

ventured into

Suggests exploration or risk-taking in a new area, which "took up" doesn't necessarily convey.

assumed

Applicable when taking on a role or responsibility, but lacks the broader application to activities.

undertook

Indicates a formal commitment to a task or project; less casual than "took up".

adopted

Implies acceptance or approval of something new, whether a belief, a practice, or an idea.

embraced

Conveys a positive and enthusiastic acceptance of something new.

committed to

Highlights dedication and investment of effort, where as "took up" can be more casual.

delved into

Signifies thorough and extensive exploration, which goes beyond simple commencement.

FAQs

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

You can use "took up" to describe starting a new hobby, responsibility, or interest. For example, "She "took up" painting during her vacation" or "He "took up" the challenge of leading the project".

What's a synonym for "took up"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "started", "began", or "embarked on" as alternatives to "took up".

Is it correct to say "take up" instead of "took up"?

The correct form depends on the tense of your sentence. Use "take up" for present or future tense (e.g., "I plan to take up yoga"), and "took up" for past tense (e.g., "I "took up" yoga last year").

What is the difference between "took up" and "taken up"?

"Took up" is the simple past tense (e.g., "She "took up" the guitar"), while "taken up" is the past participle, often used with auxiliary verbs like "has" or "have" (e.g., "She has taken up the guitar").