Deprive vs Take: Do These Mean The Same? How To Use Them

Have you ever wondered if it was more appropriate to use the word “deprive” or “take” in a certain context? These two words may seem interchangeable, but they actually have distinct meanings.

Deprive means to deny someone or something of a particular thing or quality. For example, if you deprive someone of food, you are preventing them from having access to it. On the other hand, take means to physically remove or seize something from someone or something else. For instance, if you take someone’s phone, you are physically taking it away from them.

It is crucial to understand the difference between these two words to use them correctly. In this article, we will explore the nuances between the words “deprive” and “take” and how to use them appropriately in different contexts.

Define Deprive

Deprive is a verb that means to take something away from someone or to prevent someone from having something that they need or want. It often carries a negative connotation and can be used in situations where someone is being denied something that they feel entitled to.

For example, a person may feel deprived of their basic human rights if they are not given access to food, water, or shelter. Similarly, a child may feel deprived of attention if their parents do not spend enough time with them.

Deprive can also be used in a legal context, such as when a court orders someone to be deprived of their property or assets as a punishment for a crime they have committed.

Define Take

Take is a verb that means to physically remove something from one place and bring it to another. It can also refer to the act of accepting or receiving something that is offered.

For example, a person may take a book from a shelf and bring it to their desk to read. They may also take a gift that is offered to them by a friend.

Take can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as when someone takes responsibility for their actions or takes on a leadership role in a group.

Comparison of Deprive and Take

Deprive	Take
Carries a negative connotation	Neutral connotation
Denies someone something they feel entitled to	Physically removes something from one place to another
Can be used in a legal context	Can be used in a more abstract sense

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

It is important to use the right words in a sentence to convey the intended meaning. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use the words “deprive” and “take” in a sentence.

How To Use “Deprive” In A Sentence

“Deprive” means to take something away from someone or something. It is often used in the context of denying someone of something they need or want. Here are some examples of how to use “deprive” in a sentence:

• The government’s decision to cut funding will deprive many schools of the resources they need to provide a quality education.
• His injury deprived him of the opportunity to compete in the championship.
• The harsh winter weather deprived the crops of the necessary sunlight and nutrients.

As you can see, “deprive” is often used in a negative context, where something is being taken away or denied. It is important to use this word carefully to avoid offending someone or sounding insensitive.

How To Use “Take” In A Sentence

“Take” is a more general word that can be used in a variety of contexts. It means to move something or someone from one place to another, or to hold or grab something. Here are some examples of how to use “take” in a sentence:

• Can you take this package to the post office for me?
• He took a sip of his coffee before starting his day.
• She took the book from the shelf and started reading.

As you can see, “take” can be used in both a physical and non-physical context. It is important to use this word appropriately to ensure that the intended meaning is clear.

More Examples Of Deprive & Take Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between “deprive” and “take”, it is important to see them used in context. Below are examples of both words used in a sentence.

Examples Of Using “Deprive” In A Sentence

• The drought has deprived the farmers of their crops.
• The judge will not deprive the defendant of their right to a fair trial.
• The new policy will deprive employees of their right to overtime pay.
• He felt deprived of his childhood due to his strict upbringing.
• The accident deprived her of the ability to walk.
• The storm deprived the town of power for several days.
• The illness deprived him of his sense of taste.
• The cancellation of the concert deprived fans of the opportunity to see their favorite band.
• The war has deprived the country of its natural resources.
• The company’s bankruptcy will deprive many employees of their jobs.

Examples Of Using “Take” In A Sentence

• He decided to take a break from work and go on vacation.
• The thief took the money from the cash register.
• She always takes the last slice of pizza.
• The company will take legal action against the competitor for stealing their ideas.
• He took the opportunity to ask his boss for a raise.
• She took the dog for a walk in the park.
• The teacher took attendance at the beginning of class.
• He took the book from the shelf and started reading.
• The police officer took the suspect into custody.
• She took the initiative to start a recycling program in her community.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “deprive” and “take,” many people tend to use them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and using them incorrectly can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using these words:

Mistake #1: Using “Take” Instead Of “Deprive”

One common mistake is using “take” when “deprive” is the more appropriate word. For instance, saying “I took her of her right to speak” instead of “I deprived her of her right to speak” is incorrect. “Take” implies consent or permission, while “deprive” means to take something away without permission or against someone’s will.

Mistake #2: Using “Deprive” Instead Of “Take”

On the other hand, using “deprive” when “take” is the more appropriate word is also a mistake. For example, saying “I deprived the book from the library” instead of “I took the book from the library” is incorrect. “Deprive” means to take something away from someone who has a right to it, while “take” simply means to remove something from a place or person.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes, it’s important to understand the difference between “deprive” and “take” and use them appropriately. Here are some tips:

• Think about the context of the situation. Is the action being taken with or without consent?
• Consider the ownership or entitlement of the person or object being acted upon.
• Use a thesaurus to find alternative words if you are unsure which word to use.

By being mindful of these tips, you can avoid the common mistakes people make when using “deprive” and “take” interchangeably.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “deprive” and “take,” context is key. The meaning of each word can change depending on the situation in which it is used.

Deprive

The word “deprive” is often used to describe a situation where something is taken away from someone who previously had it. This can be a deliberate action, such as when a parent takes away a toy from a child as punishment, or an unintended consequence, such as when a natural disaster deprives people of their homes and possessions.

However, there are also situations where “deprive” can be used to describe a positive action. For example, a person might choose to deprive themselves of a luxury item in order to save money or to help someone in need.

Take

The word “take” is more commonly associated with the act of acquiring something. This can be a physical object, such as when a shopper takes a product off a store shelf, or a non-physical concept, such as when a person takes on a new responsibility at work.

However, like “deprive,” the meaning of “take” can also change depending on the context. For example, in a legal context, “take” might be used to describe the act of seizing property as part of a criminal investigation.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of how the choice between “deprive” and “take” might change depending on the context:

• Parenting: A parent might choose to take away a child’s phone as punishment for bad behavior, or they might choose to deprive themselves of a night out in order to spend more time with their child.
• Disaster Relief: In the aftermath of a natural disaster, aid organizations might provide food and shelter to people who have been deprived of their homes and possessions. Alternatively, these organizations might take donations from people who want to help those in need.
• Finance: A person might choose to take on a new job in order to increase their income, or they might choose to deprive themselves of a luxury item in order to save money.

As these examples demonstrate, the choice between “deprive” and “take” can depend on a wide range of factors, including the intentions of the people involved and the context in which the words are being used.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using deprive and take are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions that can make things a bit more complicated. Below are some situations where the rules might not apply:

1. Legal Or Lawful Actions

When an action is legal or lawful, the use of deprive and take can be interchangeable. For example, a court might order that a person be deprived of their property due to a legal judgment. In this case, it would be acceptable to say that the person was taken to court and had their property deprived.

2. Figurative Language

Figurative language can also create exceptions to the rules for using deprive and take. For example, if someone says “the storm took away our power,” they are using take in a figurative sense to mean that the storm caused them to lose power. In this case, it would be incorrect to use deprive because the storm was not intentionally withholding the power.

3. Regional Differences

There can also be regional differences in how deprive and take are used. In some areas, one word might be more commonly used than the other, even if they technically mean the same thing. For example, in some parts of the United States, people might say “I’m going to take a nap” instead of “I’m going to deprive myself of sleep.”

4. Contextual Use

The context in which a word is used can also create exceptions to the rules for using deprive and take. For example, if someone says “I took the last slice of pizza,” it implies that they did so without permission or consideration for others. However, if they say “I deprived myself of the last slice of pizza,” it implies that they made a conscious choice to not take the last slice.

Overall, while the rules for using deprive and take are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to keep in mind. Understanding these exceptions can help you use these words more effectively and accurately in your writing and communication.

Practice Exercises

Improving one’s understanding and usage of the words ‘deprive’ and ‘take’ can be challenging, but with practice, it can be mastered. Here are some practice exercises to help:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank in the following sentences:

1. The thief tried to _____ the old lady of her purse.
2. The government decided to _____ citizens of their basic rights.
3. The strict diet will _____ you of essential nutrients.
4. He decided to _____ a day off work to go fishing.

Answer Key:

1. take
2. deprive
3. deprive
4. take

Exercise 2: Create Sentences

Create sentences using both ‘deprive’ and ‘take’ correctly.

Deprive	Take
The company decided to _____ employees of their bonuses.	She decided to _____ a break from work to travel.
He was _____ of his freedom after committing a crime.	The child decided to _____ a cookie from the jar without permission.
The illness _____ him of his strength and energy.	He decided to _____ up yoga to improve his flexibility.

Explanation: This exercise helps readers practice using both words in sentences, which can improve their understanding of the nuances between the two.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between deprive and take, it is clear that these two verbs are not interchangeable. Deprive implies the loss or denial of something that is considered essential, while take refers to the act of acquiring or removing something.

It is important to use these verbs correctly in order to effectively convey meaning and avoid confusion.

As language and grammar are constantly evolving, it is crucial to continue learning and improving our language use. By doing so, we can enhance our communication skills and better connect with others.