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.
- Can you bring me that file?
- 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 take my cellphone wherever I go.
- I always take an umbrella when I go out.
- 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.
- Go and fetch that ball.
- Can you fetch me a glass of water?
Fetch can also be used to talk about selling something for a price.
- How much would my watch fetch?
Exercise
Complete the following sentences.
1. Don’t forget to ……………………………. these documents when you go to the bank.
2. I’m ………………………………. you to the doctor.
3. Can you …………………………………… me some onions from the market?
4. It’s your turn to ………………………………….. the kids to the park.
5. The villagers often have to walk miles to …………………………………. water.
Answers
1. Don’t forget to take these documents when you go to the bank.
2. I’m taking you to the doctor.
3. Can you fetch me some onions from the market?
4. It is your turn to take the kids to the park.
5. The villagers often have to walk miles to fetch water.
