Taking vs Taken: Deciding Between Similar Terms

Are you confused about when to use “taking” and “taken”? Let’s clear things up.

The proper word to use depends on the context of the sentence. “Taking” is the present participle of the verb “take” and is used to describe an ongoing action. “Taken” is the past participle of “take” and is used to describe a completed action.

To put it simply, “taking” means someone is currently in the process of taking something, while “taken” means someone has already taken something.

In this article, we will explore the different ways these two words are used, common mistakes people make when using them, and how to use them correctly in various contexts.

Define Taking

Taking refers to the act of acquiring or receiving something. It involves the active participation of the individual in obtaining what they desire or need. Taking can also refer to the act of consuming or using something, such as taking medicine or taking a shower. In legal terms, taking can refer to the seizure of property by the government for public use, also known as eminent domain.

Examples of taking include:

• Taking a test
• Taking a photograph
• Taking a vacation
• Taking a risk
• Taking a job

Define Taken

Taken, on the other hand, refers to the state of having something acquired or received. It is the passive form of taking, indicating that the individual did not actively participate in the acquisition or receipt of the item in question. Taken can also refer to the state of being affected by something, such as being taken aback by a surprising event.

Examples of taken include:

• The food was taken from the fridge.
• The medicine was taken by the patient.
• The job offer was taken by the applicant.
• The house was taken by the new owners.

In short, taking is an active verb that involves the individual acquiring or receiving something, while taken is the passive form that indicates the state of having something acquired or received.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Proper usage of words is essential in effective communication, especially in written language. In this article, we will discuss the appropriate use of the words “taking” and “taken” in a sentence.

How To Use “Taking” In A Sentence

The word “taking” is the present participle form of the verb “take.” It is used to describe an action that is currently happening or is in progress. Here are some examples of how to use “taking” in a sentence:

• She is taking a shower before going to work.
• He is taking a break from studying.
• They are taking a trip to Europe next month.

As you can see, “taking” is used to describe an ongoing action or event. It is important to note that “taking” should not be used as a substitute for the past tense of “take,” which is “took.”

How To Use “Taken” In A Sentence

The word “taken” is the past participle form of the verb “take.” It is used to describe an action that has already happened or is completed. Here are some examples of how to use “taken” in a sentence:

• She has taken her medicine for the day.
• He had taken the test before he realized it was the wrong one.
• They will have taken the necessary steps to prepare for the storm.

As you can see, “taken” is used to describe an action that has already occurred. It is important to note that “taken” should not be used as a substitute for the present tense of “take,” which is “taking.”

More Examples Of Taking & Taken Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between taking and taken, it’s important to see them used in context. Here are some examples of how they can be used in a sentence:

Examples Of Using Taking In A Sentence

• He is taking the dog for a walk.
• She is taking a break from work.
• They are taking a trip to Europe.
• The doctor is taking her blood pressure.
• The teacher is taking attendance.
• The chef is taking the cake out of the oven.
• He is taking a sip of his coffee.
• She is taking a picture of the sunset.
• They are taking a stand against injustice.
• The artist is taking inspiration from nature.

As you can see, taking is used to describe an action that is currently happening or will happen in the future. It’s often used to describe physical actions, such as taking a walk or taking a picture, but it can also be used to describe abstract actions, such as taking a stand or taking inspiration.

Examples Of Using Taken In A Sentence

• He has taken the dog for a walk.
• She has taken a break from work.
• They have taken a trip to Europe.
• The doctor has taken her blood pressure.
• The teacher has taken attendance.
• The chef has taken the cake out of the oven.
• He had taken a sip of his coffee before realizing it was too hot.
• She had taken a picture of the sunset before the clouds rolled in.
• They will have taken a stand against injustice by the end of the protest.
• The artist had taken inspiration from nature for her latest painting.

Taken, on the other hand, is used to describe an action that has already happened. It’s often used in the past tense, such as he has taken the dog for a walk or she had taken a picture of the sunset. Taken can also be used in the future perfect tense, such as they will have taken a stand against injustice, to describe an action that will be completed in the future.

By understanding the difference between taking and taken and how they are used in sentences, you can improve your English language skills and communicate more effectively.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “taking” and “taken,” many people tend to use them interchangeably. However, this can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Taking” Instead Of “Taken”

One of the most common mistakes is using “taking” instead of “taken” when referring to something that has already happened. For example, saying “I am taking a shower” instead of “I have taken a shower.” This mistake can make it seem like the action is still in progress, leading to confusion for the listener or reader.

Using “Taken” Instead Of “Taking”

On the other hand, using “taken” instead of “taking” can also cause confusion. This mistake is often made when referring to something that is currently happening. For example, saying “I have taken a shower” instead of “I am taking a shower.” This mistake can make it seem like the action has already been completed, leading to confusion for the listener or reader.

Using “Taking” Or “Taken” Instead Of Other Words

Another common mistake is using “taking” or “taken” when another word would be more appropriate. For example, saying “I am taking a decision” instead of “I am making a decision.” This mistake can make the sentence sound awkward and unprofessional.

To avoid these mistakes, it is important to pay attention to the context in which the words are being used. If the action has already happened, use “taken.” If the action is currently happening, use “taking.” And if another word would be more appropriate, use that instead.

Here are some additional tips to help you avoid these mistakes:

• Use the past participle “taken” when referring to something that has already happened.
• Use the present participle “taking” when referring to something that is currently happening.
• Think about the meaning of the sentence and choose the appropriate word.
• Proofread your writing to make sure you have used the correct word.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “taking” and “taken,” context plays a crucial role. The context in which these words are used can significantly impact the meaning of the sentence. Therefore, it is essential to understand the context and choose the appropriate word to convey the intended message accurately.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between taking and taken might change:

Context	Example	Appropriate Word Choice
Present Tense	“I am taking the dog for a walk.”	“Taking”
Past Tense	“I took the dog for a walk.”	“Took” (instead of “taken”)
Passive Voice	“The test was taken by the students.”	“Taken”
Gerund	“Taking the dog for a walk is my favorite activity.”	“Taking”

In the present tense, “taking” is the appropriate word choice, while in the past tense, “took” is the correct option. In passive voice sentences, “taken” is the better choice. In gerund phrases, “taking” is the right option.

It is also essential to consider the intended meaning of the sentence. For example, “I am taking the dog for a walk” implies that the action is currently happening, while “I have taken the dog for a walk” implies that the action has already occurred.

Therefore, when choosing between “taking” and “taken,” it is crucial to consider the context and intended meaning of the sentence to ensure that the message is conveyed accurately and effectively.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using taking and taken are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to consider. In certain situations, the traditional guidelines for using these words may not apply. Below are some examples of when taking and taken might be used differently than expected.

1. Passive Voice

When using the passive voice, the word taken may be used instead of taking. This is because the passive voice emphasizes the action being done to the subject rather than the subject performing the action. For example:

• Active Voice: He is taking the medicine.
• Passive Voice: The medicine is being taken by him.
• Passive Voice (using taken): The medicine has been taken by him.

In the above example, using taken emphasizes that the medicine has already been taken by him, rather than the act of taking it.

2. Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb and a preposition or adverb. In some cases, the preposition or adverb changes the meaning of the verb and can affect whether taking or taken is used. For example:

• He is taking off his coat. (Removing his coat)
• He has taken off in his plane. (Departed in his plane)

In the first example, taking off refers to removing something, while in the second example, taken off refers to departing or leaving.

3. Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. In some cases, these expressions may use taking or taken in a way that is not consistent with the traditional rules. For example:

• He took me for a ride. (Deceived me)
• She has taken to playing guitar. (Started enjoying playing guitar)

In the above examples, taking and taken are used idiomatically to convey a specific meaning.

Overall, while taking and taken generally follow specific rules, there are some exceptions to consider. By understanding these exceptions, you can use these words more effectively in your writing and communication.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of taking and taken in sentences is through practice exercises. Here are a few exercises to help you get started:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blanks

Complete the following sentences with either taking or taken:

1. The dog had __________ the bone and was happily chewing on it.
2. She was __________ a break from work when her boss called.
3. He was __________ aback by her sudden outburst.
4. I don’t mind __________ the stairs instead of taking the elevator.
5. She had trouble __________ her eyes off the beautiful sunset.

Answer key:

1. taken
2. taking
3. taken
4. taking
5. taking

Exercise 2: Identify The Correct Form

Choose the correct form (taking or taken) to complete the following sentences:

Sentence	Correct form
She was _________ a break.	taking
The exam had already been _________ by the time I arrived.	taken
He enjoys _________ long walks on the beach.	taking
The thief had _________ the jewels from the safe.	taken
_________ a deep breath can help you relax.	Taking

Explanation: In sentence 1, the correct form is taking because it refers to a present action. In sentence 2, the correct form is taken because it refers to a past action. In sentence 3, the correct form is taking because it refers to a present action. In sentence 4, the correct form is taken because it refers to a past action. In sentence 5, the correct form is taking because it refers to a present action.

Conclusion

After exploring the nuances of “taking” versus “taken,” it is clear that these two words are not interchangeable. The key takeaway is that “taking” is the present participle form of the verb, while “taken” is the past participle form.

It is important to use the correct form in different contexts to ensure clear and accurate communication. For example, “I am taking a break” is appropriate when referring to a current action, while “I have taken a break” is more suitable when discussing a completed action.

Furthermore, understanding the differences between these two forms can help writers avoid common errors, such as using “taken” as a gerund or using “taking” as a past participle.

Continuing To Learn About Grammar And Language Use

Improving one’s grammar and language use is an ongoing process. While mastering the basics is crucial, there is always more to learn and refine.

One way to continue learning is to read extensively, paying attention to the language and grammar used by skilled writers. Additionally, there are many resources available online, such as grammar guides and writing courses, that can help individuals improve their skills.

By making a commitment to ongoing learning and improvement, individuals can enhance their communication abilities and achieve greater success in both personal and professional contexts.