TOOK ON

Human Communication

"To grow and evolve, one must take on challenges that seem insurmountable at first glance, for growth is born from adversity."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'took on' means to accept a task or responsibility, or to confront or compete against someone or something.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'took on' means to accept a task or responsibility, or to confront or compete against someone or something.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
Yes
The object can come between the verb and the particle.
Register
Neutral
Can be used in both formal and informal settings.
Transitive
Yes
Requires an object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple take on She takes on new challenges at work with enthusiasm.
Past Simple took on He took on too many tasks and became overwhelmed.
Present Continuous taking on They are taking on the responsibility of organizing the event.
Present Perfect have taken on We have taken on several new projects this quarter.

💡 When to Use

Accepting responsibilities
Use 'take on' when someone agrees to handle a task or role that requires effort.
Example: "She decided to take on the role of project manager."
Facing a challenge
'Take on' is used when confronting something difficult or competitive.
Example: "They took on the challenge of climbing the tallest mountain."
Competing against someone
It applies when two parties are contending in a competitive scenario.
Example: "Our team will take on the defending champions next week."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect particle use
❌ Wrong: He took over new challenges at work.
✅ Correct: He took on new challenges at work.
💡 Tip: Remember 'take on', not 'take over', when accepting tasks.
Transitive error
❌ Wrong: She took on.
✅ Correct: She took on the project.
💡 Tip: 'Take on' needs an object to complete the action.
Separable word order
❌ Wrong: Take the task on.
✅ Correct: Take on the task.
💡 Tip: Place the object between or after 'take on'.
Practice

TOOK ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

  • 1
    Listen to example

    The company took on new employees to meet the increased demand.

    Words Multiplied
  • 2
    Listen to example

    He bravely took on the responsibility of managing the crisis.

    Words Multiplied
  • 3
    Listen to example

    The small nation took on its much larger neighbor in the trade dispute.

    Words Multiplied

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

accept challenge

Antonyms

abdicate

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"She readily ___ the responsibility of leading the team."

took over
took on
took apart
took in

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Took On

What is the origin of took on?

+
The phrasal verb 'take on' originates from Old English 'tacan,' which means to grasp or seize. Over time, 'take on' expanded to include accepting tasks or facing challenges, reflecting its versatile usage in modern English.

Can took on be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
Yes, 'took on' is used in both formal and informal contexts. Its neutral register allows it to be appropriate in professional documents as well as casual conversations, thereby making it versatile for various situations.

What is the difference between took on and accept?

+
While 'took on' and 'accept' can both mean agreeing to undertake something, 'took on' conveys a more active engagement, often involving a challenge or competition, where 'accept' generally indicates agreement without emphasizing the nature of the task.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

take uppick upcarry ondeal withhandle
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Human Communication Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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