There are several phrasal verbs using the word take. Can you use them correctly? Test your understanding with this grammar exercise.
1Please take your shoes ............... before entering the temple.
Wrong!
Use "off" because "take off" means to remove clothing or shoes.
2Raj has taken ............... scuba diving.
Wrong!
Use "up" because "take up" means to start a new hobby or activity.
3Selena takes ............... her grandmother.
Wrong!
Use "after" because "take after" means to resemble an older relative.
4The minister was forced to take his offensive remarks ...............
Wrong!
Use "back" because "take back" means to withdraw something you said.
5This blouse is too loose for you. You must take it ...............
Wrong!
Use "in" because "take in" can mean to make a garment smaller or tighter.
6As our business expands, we will take more people ...............
Wrong!
Use "on" because "take on" can mean to employ people.
7I don't think I can take ............... this responsibility.
Wrong!
Use "on" because "take on" can mean to accept a task or responsibility.
8You might have had a bad day at work, but you can't take it ............... on me.
Wrong!
Use "out" because "take it out on someone" means to treat someone badly because you are upset.
9After his father died, he took ............... their family business.
Wrong!
Use "over" because "take over" means to gain control of or responsibility for something.
10The girl took ............... her foster parents almost instantly.
Wrong!
Use "to" because "take to" can mean to begin to like someone.
11As soon as we saw the leopard, we took ............... our heels.
Wrong!
Use "to" because "take to one's heels" means to run away quickly.
12He took ............... farming after retirement.
Wrong!
Use "up" because "take up" means to start doing an activity.
Answers
- Please take your shoes off before entering the temple.
- Raj has taken up scuba diving.
- Selena takes after her grandmother.
- The minister was forced to take his offensive remarks back.
- This blouse is too loose for you. You must take it in.
- As our business expands, we will take more people on.
- I don’t think I can take on this responsibility.
- You might have had a bad day at work, but you can’t take it out on me.
- After his father died, he took over their family business.
- The girl took to her foster parents almost instantly.
- As soon as we saw the leopard, we took to our heels.
- He took up farming after retirement.