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Took vs Taken: Understanding the Difference & Usage

by Harsha Sharma
Last Updated on: February 8, 2025

This is going to take a lot of time! But we’ll try to address each confusion in the English language, especially with words such as took vs taken. Both of these are correct forms that can be used in different sentences.  

You just need to know the correct usage!   

The confusion between took and taken is quite common, even among native speakers. You’re not alone in this! Additionally, we’ll help you avoid this common mix-up with our easy guide.   

This article will not only help you understand the difference between took and taken but also master their application in everyday sentences with confidence. Let’s begin this practical journey together! 

Took vs Taken – What Does It Mean?

The words ‘took’ and ‘taken’ have an interesting history. So, they both come from the base verb ‘take’, which means to grab, receive, or carry something somewhere. The two words differ in the following manner:   

  1. Took: This is the simple past tense form of “take.” It refers to an action that occurred and was completed in the past.   
  1. Taken: The past participle of “take.” It is mainly used in perfect tenses and pairs with auxiliary verbs such as “has,” “have,” or “had.”  

And that’s the basic difference between took vs taken. Our goal is to guide you through their individual applications in the following sections, so you can use them correctly in your writing and speech! 

When to Use “Took”  

The application of took in a sentence depends on the tense in which you want to address an action. You can use took when referring to a completed action in the past without any auxiliary verbs.  

Thus, consider these examples, 

👉 She took the bag from my shelf yesterday for her trip.
  
👉 She took a cab yesterday to work.  

👉 They took their dog for a walk after the office.
  

Now that you know how it enters a sentence, let’s explore the key features to understand it better. Here are a few characteristic features of took:  

👉 This form stands alone as the main verb 

👉 It doesn’t require supporting or auxiliary verbs such as ‘has’ or ‘that’   

These will help you remember its usage in the long term. Now, let’s understand the usage and meaning of taken.  

When to Use “Taken”  

Out of took vs taken, taken comes in combination with supportive verbs to form the perfect tenses. This form indicates the action that is connected to another point in time. In addition, it may be the past, present, or future.  

Here are a few examples to understand it better:  

Here are a few characteristic features of this form,

Common Mistakes to Avoid 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few common mistakes that even native speakers can make. Moreover, go through the list to avoid these errors:  

1. Using “Took” in Perfect Tenses 

This one is quite common among both new learners and native speakers. It is easy to make mistakes due to the lack of proper knowledge. Thus, here’s what you must avoid:   

Incorrect: She has took the bag with her.

Correct: She has taken the bag with her. ✅  

2. Using “Taken” Without an Auxiliary Verb  

An auxiliary verb is the crutch that helps this form seem complete in a sentence. So, using it without this supporting verb will result in an incorrect sentence that makes you sound grammatically wrong.  

Incorrect: They take a wrong turn.
  
Correct: They took a wrong turn.

3. Mixing Up Simple Past and Past Participle  

Another common mistake that people end up making with took vs taken is mixing up simple past and past participle. Here’s an example:   

Incorrect: He took his time and has took great care.
  
Correct: He took his time and has taken great care. ✅  

Examples of “Took” and “Taken” in Sentences  

The following examples will help you clarify the use of took vs taken in a sentence and the simple rules of using them in everyday conversations:   

Using “Took”  

👉 She took her umbrella before leaving.

👉 They took the wrong exit on the highway.  

👉 I took my vitamins this morning. 
 

Using “Taken”  

👉 He has taken a day off to relax.  

👉 They had taken precautions before the event.
  
👉 By next week, she will have taken all her exams.  

Quick Recap of Rules  

The following table recaps the basic differences between took vs taken and how you can avoid making common mistakes by keeping this table handy:  

Form Usage Example 
Took Simple past tense of “take” He took the bus this morning. 
Taken Past participle of “take” (with auxiliary) She has taken the day off. 

FAQs  

Here are some common questions that we get asked. These will also help you clarify any doubts about their use:   

1. Is “took” past or present? 

“Took” is the simple past tense of “take.” For example, it refers to an action completed in the past.  

2. Is “taken” a verb or an adjective? 

“Taken” is primarily the past participle of “take,” used with auxiliary verbs. However, it can also function as an adjective, meaning “occupied” or “not available.” 

• Example (Adjective): That seat is taken.

3. Can “taken” be used without “has,” “have,” or “had”?  


No, “taken” requires an auxiliary verb to be grammatically correct.

4. Which is correct: “I have took” or “I have taken”?  

“I have taken” is correct. “Took” cannot be used with auxiliary verbs.  

5. What’s the difference between “I took” and “I have taken”? 

I took: Refers to a completed action in the past.  

I have taken: Refers to a completed action that has relevance to the present moment. 

Wrapping It Up!

And that brings us to the end of understanding the difference between took vs taken and their use cases. The above sections act as part of a simple guide that can help anyone learn the basic difference between the two as part of a series of similar confusing words and phrases.  

Remember to follow the basic rule of using took for simple past actions while using taken for perfect tenses with auxiliary verbs. These guidelines and easy examples can help you confidently use both forms in the right context.   

Keep practicing, and you’ll master the usage of these two words! 

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