Took vs Brought: When To Use Each One? What To Consider

Are you one of those people who get confused between “took” and “brought”? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people use these two words interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two words and when you should use each one.

Let’s define the two words. “Took” is the past tense of the verb “take,” which means to move or carry something from one place to another. “Brought,” on the other hand, is the past tense of the verb “bring,” which means to move something towards the speaker or towards a specified place.

So, which one is the proper word to use? The answer is, it depends on the context. If you’re talking about moving something from one place to another, you should use “took.” For example, “I took the book from the shelf and put it on the table.” On the other hand, if you’re talking about moving something towards the speaker or towards a specified place, you should use “brought.” For example, “Can you bring me the book from the shelf?”

Now that we’ve cleared up the difference between these two words, let’s dive deeper into their usage and explore some examples of when to use each one.

Define Took

Took is a verb that refers to the action of carrying or moving something or someone from one place to another. It can also mean to seize or grab something or someone. In simple terms, it is an action word that describes the act of taking something or someone with you.

For instance, if you take a book from the library, you are carrying it with you from the library to your home or office. Similarly, if you take your child to school, you are moving them from your home to their school. The word “took” is often used in the past tense to describe an action that has already happened.

Define Brought

Brought is a verb that refers to the act of carrying or moving something or someone to a place where they are now. It can also mean to cause something or someone to come to a place or situation. In simple terms, it is an action word that describes the act of bringing something or someone to a particular place.

For instance, if you bring a cake to a party, you are carrying it with you to the party. Similarly, if you bring your friend to a meeting, you are causing them to come to the meeting with you. The word “brought” is often used in the past tense to describe an action that has already happened.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct word in a sentence can make a big difference in the meaning you are trying to convey. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use the words “took” and “brought” in a sentence.

How To Use “Took” In A Sentence

The word “took” is the past tense of the verb “take.” It is used to indicate that someone or something has moved or removed an object from one place to another. Here are some examples:

• He took the book from the shelf and placed it on the table.
• She took her dog for a walk in the park.

It is important to note that “took” is used when the object has been moved away from the speaker or the location where the speaker is currently located.

How To Use “Brought” In A Sentence

The word “brought” is the past tense of the verb “bring.” It is used to indicate that someone or something has carried or transported an object to the speaker or the location where the speaker is currently located. Here are some examples:

• She brought me a cup of coffee.
• He brought his guitar to the party.

It is important to note that “brought” is used when the object has been moved towards the speaker or the location where the speaker is currently located.

By using “took” and “brought” correctly, you can ensure that your sentences are clear and convey the intended meaning.

More Examples Of Took & Brought Used In Sentences

In order to understand the proper usage of “took” and “brought,” it is important to examine examples of how they are used in sentences. Below are examples of both verbs used in different contexts to help clarify their meanings.

Examples Of Using “Took” In A Sentence

• He took the dog for a walk in the park.
• She took the subway to work this morning.
• They took a trip to Europe last summer.
• The doctor took his temperature to check for a fever.
• I took a nap after lunch to recharge.
• The teacher took attendance before starting the class.
• He took a deep breath before jumping into the pool.
• She took a photo of the sunset with her phone.
• They took the stairs instead of the elevator to get some exercise.
• The chef took the dish out of the oven to let it cool.

Examples Of Using “Brought” In A Sentence

• She brought a cake to the party.
• He brought his laptop to the coffee shop to work.
• They brought their children to the museum to learn.
• The company brought in a consultant to improve efficiency.
• I brought my umbrella in case it rains.
• The hostess brought out the appetizers for the guests.
• He brought up the topic of the budget during the meeting.
• She brought her friend to the concert as a guest.
• They brought the project to a successful conclusion.
• The delivery man brought the package to the front door.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “took” and “brought,” people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and should be used correctly to avoid confusion and miscommunication.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes people make when using “took” and “brought” interchangeably:

• Using “took” instead of “brought” when referring to something that was carried or transported towards the speaker.
• Using “brought” instead of “took” when referring to something that was carried or transported away from the speaker.
• Using “took” instead of “brought” when referring to something that was taken to a place and left there.
• Using “brought” instead of “took” when referring to something that was taken from a place and brought to the speaker.

These mistakes can lead to confusion and miscommunication, especially in written communication where the context is not always clear.

Tips To Avoid Making Mistakes

Here are some tips to help you avoid making these mistakes in the future:

• Pay attention to the direction of the movement when using “took” and “brought.” If something is moving towards the speaker, use “brought.” If something is moving away from the speaker, use “took.”
• If you are unsure which word to use, try to rephrase the sentence in a different way or consult a dictionary.
• Practice using “took” and “brought” correctly in your writing and speaking to reinforce the correct usage.

By avoiding these common mistakes and using “took” and “brought” correctly, you can improve your communication skills and avoid confusion and misunderstandings.

Context Matters

Choosing between “took” and “brought” can depend on the context in which they are used. It is important to consider the location of the speaker and listener, as well as the objects being discussed.

Examples Of Different Contexts:

• Travel: When discussing a trip, the choice between “took” and “brought” depends on the location of the speaker and listener. For example, if the speaker is currently in New York and discussing a trip to Paris, they would say “I took a flight to Paris.” However, if the speaker is currently in Paris and discussing the same trip, they would say “I brought my luggage to Paris.”
• Purchasing: When discussing a purchase, the choice between “took” and “brought” depends on the location of the object. For example, if the speaker is currently at a store and discussing a purchase they just made, they would say “I brought this shirt from the store.” However, if the speaker is currently at home and discussing the same purchase, they would say “I took this shirt home from the store.”
• Ownership: When discussing ownership, the choice between “took” and “brought” depends on the location of the object and the speaker’s perspective. For example, if the speaker is discussing a book they borrowed from a friend and currently has with them, they would say “I took this book from my friend.” However, if the speaker returned the book to their friend and is now discussing the book, they would say “I brought this book back to my friend.”

As seen in these examples, the choice between “took” and “brought” can change based on the context in which they are used. It is important to consider the location of the speaker and listener, as well as the objects being discussed, in order to use the correct verb.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “took” and “brought” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where these rules might not apply. Here are a few examples:

1. Expressions Of Time

When referring to an event that occurred in the past, it is common to use “took” or “brought” in expressions of time. In these cases, the choice between “took” and “brought” depends on the context of the sentence.

For example:

• “I took a walk yesterday afternoon.” (referring to a past event that occurred at a specific time)
• “I brought my lunch to work every day last week.” (referring to a past event that occurred over a period of time)

2. Regional Differences

In some regions, the rules for using “took” and “brought” may differ slightly from standard English. For example, in some parts of the United States, it is common to use “bring” instead of “take” in certain contexts.

For example:

• “Can you bring me a glass of water?” (instead of “Can you take me a glass of water?”)

3. Idiomatic Expressions

There are also some idiomatic expressions that use “took” or “brought” in a non-standard way. These expressions are often used to convey a specific meaning or tone, and may not follow the usual rules for using these words.

For example:

• “He took it like a man.” (meaning he accepted the situation bravely or stoically)
• “She brought down the house with her performance.” (meaning she received a standing ovation or enthusiastic applause)

It’s important to note that these exceptions are not exhaustive, and there may be other cases where the rules for using “took” and “brought” do not apply. However, by understanding these exceptions and their contexts, you can use these words more effectively in your writing and communication.

Practice Exercises

Understanding the correct usage of took and brought is crucial for effective communication. To help readers improve their understanding and use of these verbs, here are some practice exercises:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct verb (took or brought) to complete each sentence.

Sentence	Answer
Yesterday, I _____ my dog to the park.	brought
She _____ a cake to the party.	brought
He _____ a picture of his family to work.	brought
I _____ a nap after lunch.	took
They _____ the train to the city.	took
She _____ the book from the library.	took

Explanation: In these sentences, brought is used when something is being moved towards the speaker or the place of speaking, while took is used when something is being moved away from the speaker or the place of speaking.

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite each sentence using the opposite verb (took or brought).

1. He took the flowers to his girlfriend.
2. We brought our lunch to the park.
3. She took the cookies to the party.

Answer:

1. He brought the flowers to his girlfriend.
2. We took our lunch to the park.
3. She brought the cookies to the party.

Explanation: This exercise helps readers understand the difference between took and brought and how they can be used interchangeably to convey the same message.

Exercise 3: Choose The Correct Verb Tense

Choose the correct verb tense (took or brought) to complete each sentence.

Sentence	Answer
Yesterday, she _____ a cake to the party.	brought
He _____ a picture of his family to work every day.	brought
I _____ a nap after lunch every day.	took
They _____ the train to the city last week.	took
She _____ the book from the library yesterday.	took

Explanation: This exercise helps readers understand the correct verb tense to use with took and brought depending on the context and time of the action.

By completing these practice exercises, readers can improve their understanding and use of took and brought in sentences. Remember to use brought when something is being moved towards the speaker or the place of speaking, while took is used when something is being moved away from the speaker or the place of speaking.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the proper use of “took” and “brought” is crucial in conveying the intended meaning of a sentence. Remembering the differences between these two verbs can prevent confusion and misunderstandings in both written and spoken communication. Here are the key takeaways from this article:

Key Takeaways:

• “Took” refers to the act of carrying or moving something away from the speaker or towards the listener.
• “Brought” refers to the act of carrying or moving something towards the speaker or away from the listener.
• Using “took” instead of “brought” can imply that the speaker is not the intended recipient of the item being moved.
• Using “brought” instead of “took” can imply that the speaker is the intended recipient of the item being moved.
• Context is key in determining whether to use “took” or “brought”.

As with any aspect of language use, it is important to continue learning and improving our grammar skills. By doing so, we can ensure that our messages are clear and effective in all forms of communication.