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In English the words "take" and "took" are commonly used. If you are confused about their meaning and the difference between them, this article will help.
Steps
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1Look at the meanings and tenses of these words.[1]
- TAKE means to get into one's hold or possession by voluntary action; to hold, grasp, or grip.
- Example: "I take the book now."
- TOOK is the past-tense form of "take". Its definition is the same as the present tense.
- Example: "I took the book yesterday."
- TAKE means to get into one's hold or possession by voluntary action; to hold, grasp, or grip.
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2Recognize the differences in the tenses of these words. Take is a present tense verb, while took is a past tense verb.[2]
- The present progressive tense is "am taking," "is taking," or "are taking."
- The future tense is "shall take" or "will take".
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3Recognize when you should use "take". Analyze when the described action takes place.[3]
- When the action occurs in the present moment, use the word "take." "I take a drink now."
- When the action occurred in the past, use the word "took." "I took a drink yesterday."
- When the action will occur in the future, use the words "shall take" (first person) or "will take" (second or third person). "I shall take a drink tomorrow." "He / you will take a drink tomorrow."
Community Q&A
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QuestionIs "take the approval" or "took the approval" correct?
Community Answer"Take the approval" is correct in present or future tense, as in "I take the approval" or "I will take the approval." "Took the approval" is correct in past tense, as in "I took the approval." -
QuestionWhich one is correct: "Who take you there" or "Who took you there"?
DonaganTop AnswererTook. -
Question"I was in the car when I take/took this picture." Which one is correct?
Community Answer"Took" is correct. -
QuestionAre both correct? "Do you know why we took it?" versus "Why did we take it?"DonaganTop AnswererYes, both are correct.
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QuestionLast year I take math class or took math class?DonaganTop AnswererBecause "last year" is in the past, use "took."
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QuestionIs it "I watched my son take apart" or "took apart" his Rubiks cube?Community Answer"Take."
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QuestionIs "business tycoon takes his staff on vacation" or "business tycoon took his staff on vacation" correct?
Community AnswerThe difference is, they reference different times the business tycoon did it. 1. Hes doing it now. 2. He did it in the past. -
Question"It took three hours to reach school" or "it takes three hours to reach school"?DonaganTop AnswererIf it happened in the past: it took three hours. If it happens from time to time, it takes three hours.
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QuestionWhy do we use the expression "actions taken" rather than "actions took"?DonaganTop Answerer"Taken" is the past participle of "take" and is used here to describe the kind of "actions" that have occurred (they are "taken" actions). "Took" is a past-tense verb that explains what the actions did (which presumably is not the intent here).
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QuestionDid you take up the book, or took up?DonaganTop Answerer"Did take" means the same thing as "took."
