What is take? Pronunciation and usage in English

take means . Learn how to pronounce and use take through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of take

takeverb

/teɪk/
Definition & pronunciation of take

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "take" in English. There are two common pronunciations, and it depends a little on where you are in the US and Canada.

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (Generally Used Across the US & Canada):

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /teɪk/
  • How it sounds: Think of the word "tayk." It's a quick, clipped sound. The 'a' is like the 'a' in 'say.'
  • Breakdown:
    • "t": Pronounced as a very short, quick "t" sound – almost like you're touching the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth briefly.
    • "a": As in "say" – a short, open "a" sound.
    • "k": Pronounced as a "k" sound, but a little softer than a hard "k."

2. A Regional Pronunciation (More Common in New England - particularly Massachusetts and Rhode Island):

  • IPA: /tɛk/
  • How it sounds: This version sounds more like "tek." The 'a' is a shorter, more "e" like sound.
  • Breakdown:
    • "t": Still a quick "t" sound.
    • "e": Pronounced like the 'e' in 'bed'. Shorter and more subtle than a full long 'e'.
    • "k": A clear and crisp "k" sound.

Here's a simple way to practice:

  1. Say "tayk" (with the long "a" sound like "say"). Repeat several times.
  2. Try "tek" (with the short "e" sound like "bed"). Repeat several times.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (generally)? (e.g., "I'm in the US," "I'm in Canada," "I'm in the UK," etc.)

Usage and examples with the word take in English

Let's break down how to use the word "take" in English. It's a remarkably versatile word with many different meanings and uses! Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. As a Verb - Movement & Transportation

  • To move something or someone somewhere:
    • "I take the bus to work every day." (Transportation)
    • "She took her dog for a walk." (Moving a person)
    • "We took a taxi to the airport." (Transportation)
    • "They took the train to London." (Transportation)

2. As a Verb - Action & Accomplishment

  • To do something:

    • “I take a shower in the morning.”
    • “He takes a break every hour.”
    • “She takes notes in class.”

  • To start or begin something:

    • "Let's take a photo!" (Start an action)
    • "I'll take care of it." (Assume responsibility)
    • "They take their orders carefully." (Follow procedure)

3. As a Verb - Possession & Taking Away

  • To acquire or obtain something:

    • "I took his book without asking." (Obtain through taking)
    • "She took a job at a new company." (Obtained a position)
    • "We took a souvenir from the museum.” (Acquired a memento)

  • To remove something from a place:

    • "The thief took the jewelry." (Removed possession)
    • "The wind took the umbrella." (Removed by force)

4. As a Verb - Consumption & Receiving

  • To eat or drink something:

    • "I'll take an apple." (Ordering in a restaurant)
    • "He took a sip of water." (Actively consuming)

  • To receive something (often offered):

    • “Will you take this letter for me?” (Accepting delivery)
    • “She took a compliment gracefully.” (Reached the recipient)

5. As an Auxiliary Verb (Helping Verb)

  • To express obligation or necessity: (often with "will" or "shall")

    • "Take your time." (Don't rush)
    • "Take a seat." (Please sit down)

  • To form the perfect and continuous tenses with "have":

    • "I have taken a cold." (Present Perfect)
    • “She has been taking medicine.” (Present Perfect Continuous)

6. As a Noun

  • A trip or journey:

    • "Let's take a vacation next year!"
    • "I'm planning a take to Italy."

  • A portion or share:

    • "I’ll take the largest slice of pizza."
    • “He took the lead in the competition.” (Took over the position)

7. Phrasal Verbs – Where "Take" is combined with a preposition or adverb

  • These are some of the most common and powerful uses of "take." Here are a few examples:

    • Take off: (remove, depart) – "The plane took off on time."
    • Take on: (accept a responsibility) – "She took on a new project."
    • Take after: (resemble) – “He takes after his father.”
    • Take up: (start a hobby or activity) - "I took up painting."
    • Take back: (retract a statement) – "I take back what I said."
    • Take out: (remove, go on a date) – “She took out the trash." / "They took out to dinner."

Tips for Understanding "Take":

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "take" heavily depends on how it's used in the sentence.
  • Pay attention to the other words: Look at the words around "take" to help you understand its role.
  • Practice: The best way to learn is to use the word in your own sentences!

Could you tell me:

  • Are there any specific situations you'd like me to explain the usage of "take" in? (e.g., "I want to know how to use it in formal writing," or "I’m struggling with phrasal verbs.")

Synonyms for the word take

Idioms of the word take

somebody can take it or leave it
used to say that you do not care if somebody accepts or rejects your offer
    used to say that somebody does not have a strong opinion about something
    • Dancing? I can take it or leave it.
    have (got) what it takes
    (informal)to have the qualities, ability, etc. needed to be successful
      I, you, etc. can’t take somebody anywhere
      (informal, often humorous)used to say that you cannot trust somebody to behave well in public
      • You haven’t spilled your coffee again! I can’t take you anywhere!
      take something as it comes | take somebody as they come
      to accept something/somebody without wishing it/them to be different or without thinking about it/them very much in advance
      • She takes life as it comes.
      take it (that…)
      to suppose; to assume
      • I take it you won't be coming to the party?
      take it from me (that…)
      (informal)used to emphasize that what you are going to say is the truth
      • Take it from me—he'll be a millionaire before he's 30.
      take it/a lot out of somebody
      (informal)to make somebody physically or mentally tired
      • Looking after small children really takes it out of you.
      take it on/upon yourself to do something
      to decide to do something without asking permission or advice
        take some/a lot of doing
        (informal)to need a lot of effort or time; to be very difficult to do
          take that!
          (informal)used as an exclamation when you are hitting somebody or attacking them in some other way

            Practice with vocabulary take

            Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

            1. It's crucial for project managers to ______ responsibility for their team's performance.
            2. Before making a final decision, we need to ______ into account all stakeholder feedback.
            3. The board decided to ______ the new proposal, despite some initial reservations.
            4. Employees are encouraged to ______ suggestions for improving workplace efficiency.

            Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

            1. To resolve the conflict, management decided to _______ decisive action immediately. a) do b) make c) take d) perform

            2. After much deliberation, Sarah decided to _______ on the challenging leadership role. a) take b) put c) get d) carry

            3. Please _______ notes during the meeting and _______ a look at the previous report for context. a) make / do b) have / make c) take / take d) do / have

            4. We expect to _______ the final budget report by the end of the week. a) make b) acquire c) receive d) deliver

            5. The committee will _______ a thorough investigation into the recent security breach. a) launch b) conduct c) carry out d) pursue

            Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

            1. Original: It is important to consider the long-term implications of this decision. Rewrite (use "take"):

            2. Original: Our department needs to perform an inventory check next month. Rewrite (use "take"):

            3. Original: The organization decided to accept all the recommended changes. Rewrite (do not use "take"):

            Answer:

            Exercise 1:

            1. take
            2. take
            3. accept
            4. make

            Exercise 2:

            1. c) take
            2. a) take
            3. c) take / take
            4. c) receive
            5. a) launch, b) conduct, c) carry out, d) pursue (All are correct and appropriate in context)

            Exercise 3:

            1. We need to take into account the long-term implications of this decision.
            2. Our department must take an inventory next month.
            3. The organization decided to implement all the recommended changes.

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