This logo isn't an ad or affiliate link. It's an organization that shares in our mission, and empowered the authors to share their insights in Byte form.
Rumie vets Bytes for compliance with our
Standards.
The organization is responsible for the completeness and reliability of the content.
Learn more
about how Rumie works with partners.
Is it hard for you to take in the English vocabulary you need? If it is, here's a trick: study phrasal verbs. They're complicated, but it's important to know them to understand English vocabulary.
So, what is a phrasal verb? A phrasal verb is when a short word (like "over") comes after a verb and changes its meaning.
You probably know what "take" means.
Photo by Monika Dhita Adiati on UnsplashBut did you know that take over doesn't mean anything like "taking a cup"? Take over is closer in meaning to "control".
Expand your English vocabulary with other interesting phrasal verbs with the word "take"!
1. Take Off
Just like take over means "control," many other phrasal verbs have a single word that means the same thing.
Take off is like this. Can you guess the single word that means the same thing as take off from these sentences?
I'm having fun at this bar, but it's already 11:30 pm, and I work tomorrow, so I need to take off.
Be sure to get to the airport early. You don't want to arrive after the plane takes off!
It's annoying that I have to work on my birthday, but I think I'll take off from work early, around 4:00 pm.
That's right! Take off means "leave".
Note that we need to add "from" if we add a specific location (like work).
Quiz
Which of these sentences could you say? Select all that apply:
"Take off" means "leave." Remember that you need to add "from" if there is a specific location.
Did you know?
Many phrasal verbs can mean more than one thing. This is true of take off. Don't be confused if you see it used in a different way. Take off can also mean "remove" or "start to succeed".
2. Take On
Some phrasal verbs are more confusing because they don't have one word that clearly means the exact same thing. Take on is like this.
It's okay, though. We can take on this challenge by thinking about the sentences below. What is the topic that they all have in common?
Studying English is a lot to take on.
I decided to take on the challenge of starting a new job.
I will take on a lot of new responsibilities at work.
Photo by Jukan Tateisi on UnsplashThat's right! Take on means to address a challenge or responsibility.
Quiz
What could you "take on" to help you learn English? Select all that apply:
"Take on" in this case doesn't mean the same thing as "Take your notebook on the bus." It means, "address a challenge". Take on your notebook on the bus" doesn't make sense.
Did you know?
"Take on" can also mean "hire" or "compete with".
3. Take Through
There are dozens of phrasal verbs with "take" in English. You don't need to learn all of them right away, but try to start recognizing what they look like.
Use this list of phrasal verbs and try to understand the following conversation:
Jim: I'm starting to take on new duties at work, so I can't watch your kids this weekend.
Matt: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. What are your new duties?
Jim: Well, our marketing manager just quit. I'm taking over her duties.
Matt: I don't understand what a marketing manager does. Can you take me through it?
Jim: Sure. Marketing managers think of new ways to sell our products. They use advertisements and things like that.
Photo by Sebastian Herrmann on UnsplashQuiz
Try to think about all the phrasal verbs we have seen before. You might not fully understand what Matt and Jim are saying if you don't know all the phrasal verbs.
Quiz
Why did Jim start explaining the duties of a marketing manager?
"Take someone through something" means to explain that thing to them. Matt asked Jim, "Can you take me through it?" when Jim mentioned the marketing manager's duties.
Take Action
To really learn these phrasal verbs, you need to start using them in context.
Take in (or "understand") as much information as you can from this Byte, then start using phrasal verbs in context.
Photo by Agence Olloweb on UnsplashStart now!
This Byte has been authored by
Sam Whittaker
English Teacher