Certain verbs have very similar meanings that students sometimes find it difficult to use them correctly. For example, the verbs bring, take and fetch are often confused.
Differences Between Bring, Take and Fetch
Bring is used to talk about movement to the place where the speaker is at the moment of speaking.
- Please bring that file to my table.
- You will have to bring your own sandwiches.
- Have you brought your ticket along?
Use take to talk about movements to all other places.
- I don’t know what to take with me when I go to London.
Fetch
To fetch something is to go to the place where it is and then bring it back to the current location.
- Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.
- Can you fetch me a glass of water?
Fetchcan also be used to talk about selling something for a price.
- How much would my watch fetch?
Complete the following sentences.
1Don’t forget to ............... these documents when you go to the bank.
Wrong!
Use "take" when something goes with you to another place.
2I’m ............... you to the doctor.
Wrong!
Use "taking" when you are accompanying someone to another place.
3Can you ............... me some onions from the market?
Wrong!
Use "fetch" when someone goes to get something and brings it back.
4It’s your turn to ............... the kids to the park.
Wrong!
Use "take" when you accompany people to another place.
5The villagers often have to walk miles to ............... water.
Wrong!
Use "fetch" when people go to get something and bring it back.
6Can you ............... me that file?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "bring" and "fetch" can mean getting the file and giving it to the speaker here.
7I ............... my cellphone wherever I go.
Wrong!
Use "take" for something you carry with you wherever you go.
8I always ............... an umbrella when I go out.
Wrong!
Use "take" for something you carry with you when you leave home.
9Go and ............... that ball.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "bring" and "fetch" can mean getting the ball and returning with it here.
Answers
- Don’t forget to take these documents when you go to the bank.
- I’m taking you to the doctor.
- Can you fetch me some onions from the market?
- It’s your turn to take the kids to the park.
- The villagers often have to walk miles to fetch water.
- Can you bring / fetch me that file?
- I take my cellphone wherever I go.
- I always take an umbrella when I go out.
- Go and bring / fetch that ball.
