Taking vs. Taken: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Taking" is the present participle form of "take," used to describe an ongoing action, while "Taken" is the past participle, used for completed actions or passive voice.
Key Differences
"Taking" implies an action that is currently happening or continuously occurring, often used with forms of 'to be' in progressive tenses. "Taken," however, signifies an action that has been completed and is commonly used in perfect tenses or passive constructions.
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Dec 04, 2023
In usage, "taking" conveys an active role of the subject, such as in "She is taking her exams." Conversely, "taken" often indicates a passive role, as in "The exams were taken by her."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
"Taking" expresses an ongoing process or action, highlighting the continuity of the act, as in "He is taking a break." In contrast, "taken" suggests a state of completion or a resultant condition, as in "The break has been taken."
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Dec 04, 2023
The word "taking" can also imply an action in the immediate future, like "I am taking a trip next week." Whereas "taken" usually refers to an action in the past, as in "The trip was taken last year."
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Dec 04, 2023
In terms of syntactical structure, "taking" typically precedes a noun or a gerund, indicating an object or action being acted upon. "Taken," on the other hand, often follows a form of 'to be' and precedes by an agent (in passive voice) or follows a helping verb (in perfect tenses).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Tense Usage
Used in present continuous and future tenses.
Used in perfect tenses and passive voice.
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Dec 04, 2023
Action State
Describes ongoing or continuous actions.
Indicates completed actions or states.
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Dec 04, 2023
Role in Sentence
Often denotes active involvement of the subject.
Typically indicates a passive state or completion.
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Dec 04, 2023
Structural Placement
Usually precedes nouns or gerunds.
Often follows 'to be' or auxiliary verbs.
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Dec 04, 2023
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Taking and Taken Definitions
Taking
In the act of consuming or using something.
I am taking medication for my cold.
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Nov 25, 2023
Taken
Completed or finished a specific action.
The test has been taken by all students.
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Nov 25, 2023
Taking
Currently in the process of acquiring something.
He is taking notes during the lecture.
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Nov 25, 2023
Taking
Engaging in an action or process.
She is taking a course in mathematics.
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Nov 25, 2023
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Taken
Accepted or agreed upon a particular idea or suggestion.
His proposal was well taken by the committee.
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Nov 25, 2023
Taken
Under the influence or affected by something.
She was taken aback by the sudden news.
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Nov 25, 2023
Taken
Infatuated; fond of or attracted to.
He was very taken with the girl, I hear.
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Oct 19, 2023
Taking
(Law) An action by a government, especially under the power of eminent domain, that deprives a private owner of real property or of the use and enjoyment of that property.
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Oct 19, 2023
Taken
(informal) In a serious romantic relationship.
I can't ask him out, she's taken.
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Oct 19, 2023
Taken
Understood in a certain way; made sense of;
A word taken literally
A smile taken as consent
An open door interpreted as an invitation
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Oct 19, 2023
Taken
Be affected with an indisposition;
The child was taken ill
Couldn't tell when he would be taken drunk
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Oct 19, 2023
Taking
(uncountable) A state of mental distress, resulting in excited or erratic behavior (in the expression in a taking).
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Oct 19, 2023
Taking
(in the plural) Cash or money received (by a shop or other business, for example).
Fred was concerned because the takings from his sweetshop had fallen again for the third week.
Count the shop's takings.
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Oct 19, 2023
Taking
Apt to take; alluring; attracting.
Subtile in making his temptations most taking.
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Oct 19, 2023
Taking
Agitation; excitement; distress of mind.
What a taking was he in, when your husband asked who was in the basket!
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Oct 19, 2023
Taking
The act of someone who picks up or takes something;
The pickings were easy
Clothing could be had for the taking
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Oct 19, 2023
Taking
Very attractive; capturing interest;
A fetching new hairstyle
Something inexpressibly taking in his manner
A winning personality
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Oct 19, 2023
Taking
Beginning to undertake a particular task or journey.
They are taking a break from work.
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Nov 25, 2023
Taking
Accepting or receiving something given or offered.
She is taking advice from her mentor.
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Nov 25, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How does "taking" relate to the subject in a sentence?
"Taking" directly involves the subject in the action being described.
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Dec 04, 2023
What does "taking" signify in a sentence?
"Taking" indicates an ongoing or continuous action.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can "taking" be used for future actions?
Yes, "taking" can describe actions planned for the immediate future.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is "taking" active or passive in nature?
"Taking" typically implies an active role of the subject.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is "taken" used in active voice?
"Taken" is primarily used in passive constructions and perfect tenses.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can "taking" stand alone in a sentence?
"Taking" usually needs auxiliary verbs to form complete tenses.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can "taken" indicate a past action?
Yes, "taken" often refers to actions that have been completed in the past.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can "taking" be used in passive voice?
"Taking" is not commonly used in passive constructions.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is "taking" appropriate for describing past actions?
"Taking" is not typically used for actions that have already been completed.
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Dec 04, 2023
What is the primary use of "taken"?
"Taken" is used to describe completed actions or passive situations.
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Dec 04, 2023
How does "taken" affect the subject in a sentence?
"Taken" typically places the subject in a passive role or state.
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Dec 04, 2023
Does "taken" always suggest ownership or possession?
No, "taken" can also imply agreement, acceptance, or being affected.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is "taking" specific to physical objects?
No, "taking" can be used for abstract concepts like advice or breaks.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can "taken" be used without auxiliary verbs?
"Taken" generally requires auxiliary verbs to form correct tense structures.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can "taken" be used in future tenses?
"Taken" is not typically used to describe future actions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can "taken" express surprise or unexpectedness?
Yes, as in the phrase "taken aback," it can indicate surprise or shock.
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Dec 04, 2023
Does "taking" have a negative connotation?
"Taking" is neutral and its connotation depends on context.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can "taken" be used to indicate agreement?
Yes, "taken" can imply agreement or acceptance of ideas or suggestions.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is "taking" used in idiomatic expressions?
Yes, "taking" appears in various idioms, like "taking the bull by the horns."
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Dec 04, 2023
Does "taking" always imply physical action?
No, "taking" can also refer to mental or abstract actions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
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Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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