we took off

USAGE SUMMARY

"we took off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to indicate that someone has left or departed. For example: "We took off on our journey at 9am."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"We took off from there".

The New York Times - Sports

We took off.

The New York Times - Magazine

We took off five hours later.

The New York Times

We took off our glasses.

The New Yorker

We did, and finally we took off.

The New York Times

After 20 minutes we took off.

The New York Times - Travel

"Run!" I shouted, and we took off.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

We packed down all of our donations and we took off a 24-hour drive.

HuffPost

When the work was done we took off our shoes and met with the monk.

Columbia University

We took off to a town I know called Rhinebeck.

Huffington Post

I hopped in back and we took off.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing when choosing "we took off". It's suitable for informal to neutral contexts. In formal writing, "we departed" or "we commenced" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "we took off" when you mean something was removed or subtracted from something. While "take off" can mean to remove, "we took off" usually implies departure. For example, instead of saying "We took off the discount", say "We removed the discount".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "we took off" is as a phrasal verb indicating the act of departing or leaving a place. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we took off" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrasal verb that primarily signifies departure. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, it's important to consider the register when choosing this phrase. In more formal settings, alternatives like "we departed" might be more appropriate. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, with significant presence in academic and business contexts as well. Remember to use it accurately to avoid confusion with other meanings of "take off".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we left

Simple and direct synonym for departing.

we departed

Formal alternative indicating a departure.

we set off

British English equivalent of starting a journey.

we started out

Indicates the beginning of a journey or activity.

we commenced our journey

More formal way to express starting a trip.

we launched

Implies a more energetic or impactful start.

we began our ascent

Specifically refers to starting an upward climb.

we bolted

Suggests a sudden or hurried departure.

we initiated the flight

Describes the start of an air travel.

we absconded

Implies leaving secretly and often unlawfully.

FAQs

What does "we took off" mean?

"We took off" typically means that a group of people departed or left a place. It can also metaphorically mean that something started to become very successful or rapidly progressed.

What can I say instead of "we took off"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "we departed", "we left", or "we started out".

Is "we took off" formal or informal?

"We took off" is generally considered informal to neutral. For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "we departed" or "we commenced".

Can "we took off" refer to something other than a physical departure?

Yes, "we took off" can also mean something began to be successful or rapidly progress. For example, "After the new marketing strategy, sales took off" means sales rapidly increased.