Do you sometimes get confused about when to use have and take in English? Let’s figure it out together.
It is easy to know which verb to use when they serve as normal verbs. To have means to possess, to own, to hold, to maintain, and to contain. To take means to gain possession, and to become the owner. It also means to bring.
Charlie has a sandwich. = Charlie is in possession of a sandwich. The sandwich belongs to him.
Charlie takes a sandwich from the store shelf. = Charlie gains possession of the sandwich.
Charlie takes a sandwich to work every day. = Charlie brings a sandwich with him to work.
What makes have and take difficult is that we also use them as delexical verbs, which means that they combine with specific nouns in ways that don’t maintain the literal meaning of the verbs.
There are some general patterns that can help you determine which verb to use. Beyond that, you need to memorize the combinations.
Use have for communication and consumption.
Take goes with transportation, time, education, and evaluation.
Either verb works with rest and sleep.
Read through the list, and practice making sentences to help you remember the combinations:
HAVE
a drink
a meal
a conversation
an argument
a relationship
a baby
an idea
a feeling
fun
a good time
a party
an operation
HAVE/TAKE
a bath/shower
a nap
a break
a look
an interview
a phone call
an exam
TAKE
a trip
a taxi
time
a break
a holiday
a class
a course of action
a photo
a risk
advantage
medication
turns
notes
Try the Present Simple quiz!
Things to Notice:
1.) In English, something makes sense, not has sense.
2.) In common usage, we make a decision, but take is sometimes also used.
