took video

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took video" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of recording video footage, typically in a past context. Example: "During the event, she took video of the performances to share with her friends later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He took video of the crowd.

The Washington Post

She conducted interviews and took video, creating a historical record of breadth and depth.

The New York Times

Onlookers took video of the boy being dragged swiftly across the moat.

The Guardian

Treloar also took video of Lamond and asked him to play with his genitals while he was filming.

The Guardian

He took video of some hens stuck in the wires and others wandering in the manure pits.

The New York Times

Mr. Ivey said investigators were told that Ms. Barnes took video on her cellphone of the tree burning and later uploaded it to her computer.

The New York Times

And last Friday, Samuelson, an award-winning filmmaker who teaches documentary producing and directing, drove up to the house with Camarillo and took video footage as he narrated.

Stanford University

In 2013, fans took video of an altercation before a Chargers-Cowboys game in which a fan had a bottle broken over his heads.

The Guardian - Sport

Police monitoring the demonstration took video footage of the protesters and Javed was arrested later after more than 100 complaints had been made by members of the public.

The Guardian

The police and the carabinieri tapped phones, took video of their houses from miles away, mounted secret cameras on the street, and buried bugs in Pesce's grandmother's garden.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Some took videos.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took video", ensure the context clearly indicates who performed the action and what was recorded. For example, "The journalist took video of the protest." Also, consider more descriptive verbs if the nuances of the recording process are important.

Common error

Avoid using "took video" when the intended meaning is to receive a video. Instead, use phrases like "received a video" or "was sent a video" to clarify that you are the recipient, not the recorder, of the video.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took video" functions as a verb phrase, where "took" is the past tense of the verb "take", and "video" serves as the direct object. Ludwig AI validates this structure as grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "took video" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe the action of recording video footage. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, academic research, and everyday conversation. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who took the video and what was recorded. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "recorded video" or "filmed video" for added precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recorded video

Replaces "took" with "recorded", emphasizing the act of capturing video.

filmed video

Substitutes "took" with "filmed", highlighting the process of creating a video.

shot video

Uses "shot" instead of "took", suggesting a more direct or immediate action of recording.

captured video

Replaces "took" with "captured", emphasizing the act of obtaining or seizing the video.

made a video recording

Expands the phrase to include "recording", offering a more detailed description of the action.

created a video

Focuses on the creation aspect of the video, rather than just the act of recording.

videotaped

Condenses "took video" into a single verb, offering a more concise alternative.

obtained video footage

Emphasizes acquiring video footage, suggesting a broader context than simply recording.

commenced video recording

Replaces "took" with commenced and added recording to imply beginning to recording video footage.

started recording video

Focuses on the initiation of recording, useful when the context emphasizes the beginning of the process.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "took video"?

You can use alternatives like "recorded video", "filmed video", or "shot video" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "took a video"?

While "took video" is common, "took a video" is also acceptable and may sound more natural in certain contexts. Both are grammatically correct.

What is the difference between "took video" and "recorded video"?

"Took video" is a more general term, while "recorded video" specifically emphasizes the action of capturing the video using a recording device.

When should I use "took video" versus "filmed video"?

Use "filmed video" when you want to emphasize the professional or artistic aspect of creating the video. "Took video" is more neutral and can apply to any recording, regardless of quality or purpose.