Collocations with TAKE
If you’re learning English, you’ve certainly heard of collocations. Collocations are combinations of words (two or more words) that sound naturally to native speakers. If you memorize these collocations, you will sound more natural and fluent. Collocations usually can’t be translated directly. Let’s take a look at a comprehensive list of collocations with TAKE.
Take a call
To “take a call” means to answer a phone call. It’s what you do when someone rings you, and you decide to speak to them.
I’ve stopped taking her calls.
He excused himself from the dinner table to take a call.
Take a day off
“Take a day off” is a phrase you’ll love; it means to not go to work or school for a day, usually for rest or personal reasons.
I’m planning to take a day off next Friday for a long weekend.
I haven’t taken a day off in ages!
Take a class
When you “take a class,” it means you enroll in a course and attend the course. This can be for anything from cooking to yoga.
I’m planning to take a cooking class next Friday.
I’m thinking of taking an English class. What do you think about that?
Take a look
To “take a look” at something means to examine or inspect it. It’s asking someone to look at something specific.
Take a look at these reports and let me know what you think.
Take a look at this. Was this here before?
Take a nap
“Take a nap” means to sleep for a short period, especially during the day. It’s a great way to get more energy.
I’m going to take a nap before we go out tonight.
I never take naps during the day.
Take a picture
“Take a picture” is a phrase you’ll often hear. It means to capture an image with a camera.
Could you take a picture of me by the lake?
Just take the picture and let’s go.
Take offense
To “take offense” means to feel insulted or hurt by something said or done. It’s a reaction to someone not behaving well towards you.
He didn’t mean to be rude; don’t take offense.
There’s no need to take offense.
Take turns
“Take turns” is used when people are doing an activity one after another, so that everyone gets a chance.
We’ll take turns doing the dishes each night.
We take turns walking the dog every morning.
Take your time
“Take your time” is a phrase that means there’s no need to hurry. It tells someone to do whatever they are doing at a comfortable pace. Sometimes when we say this phrase, we want someone to focus more on the quality of their work and not on the speed.
Take your time finishing your work; quality is more important than speed.
Please take your time while programming this app.
Take a seat
“Take a seat” simply means to sit down. It’s a polite way to invite someone to sit.
When you enter the office, take a seat, and I’ll be with you shortly.
Come, take a seat right here.
Understanding collocations can improve your English significantly. Collocations are the key to sounding natural. Which collocations were new to you, and which ones do you find most useful?
