What Does “Be taken with sb” Mean?
“Be taken with sb” means to like or be attracted to someone, often in a charming or affectionate way.
Introduction
The phrase be taken with sb is a common English idiom used to express a feeling of liking or attraction toward someone. It often describes the first impression you have when you find someone interesting or charming. Understanding be taken with sb meaning can help you describe feelings of admiration or affection in a natural way. This phrasal verb is useful in both casual and formal conversations, making it an essential part of English vocabulary.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: be taken with somebody
- Type: Intransitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To like or be attracted to someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
Be taken with sb is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means you cannot separate “taken” from “with.” The structure is always:
- Subject + be (am/is/are/was/were) + taken + with + somebody
Examples:
- She is taken with her new colleague.
- They were taken with the charming host.
How to Use Be taken with sb?
You use be taken with sb to describe when someone feels attracted to or impressed by another person. It often refers to an initial feeling rather than deep love. It can be used in formal writing or everyday speech.
It usually focuses on positive emotions like admiration, liking, or romantic interest.
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using be taken with sb in a sentence:
- When I first met him, I was immediately taken with his sense of humor.
- She seemed to be taken with the new teacher’s confidence.
- He was taken with her kindness and warmth.
- They were taken with the way the artist expressed emotions in his work.
- Many guests were taken with the host’s friendly attitude.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse this phrase with other expressions or misuse the structure. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: I am taken with him very much.
Correct: I am very taken with him. - Incorrect: She is taken by him.
Correct: She is taken with him. - Incorrect: They taken with her.
Correct: They are taken with her.
Remember, always use the verb “be” (am/is/are) before “taken,” and use “with” to connect it to the person.
Differences / Synonyms
Be taken with sb is similar to phrases like “be fond of sb” or “be attracted to sb,” but it often implies a first impression or sudden liking.
- Be fond of sb: A general liking or affection, often long-term.
- Be attracted to sb: Usually implies romantic or physical attraction.
- Be taken with sb: Often refers to being charmed or impressed, not necessarily romantic.
Use be taken with sb when you want to express admiration or liking that is immediate or noticeable.
Common Collocations
When using be taken with sb, some common collocations include:
- Be taken with someone’s personality: Like their character or behavior.
- Be taken with someone’s smile: Attracted to their smile.
- Be taken with someone’s ideas: Impressed by their thoughts or opinions.
- Be taken with someone’s charm: Attracted to their charm.
- Be taken with someone’s kindness: Admire their kindness.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of be taken with sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using be taken with sb naturally:
Anna: Did you notice the new guy in our class?
Ben: Yes, I was really taken with his confidence during the presentation.
Anna: Me too! He seems very friendly and smart.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences below with the correct form of be taken with sb:
- I _____ really _______ with her enthusiasm for the project.
- They _____ not _____ with the new manager at first, but now they like him.
- He _____ completely _______ with her talent.
- Are you _______ with the speaker’s ideas?
FAQ
- What does “be taken with sb” mean?
It means to like or be attracted to someone, often because of their charm or personality. - Is “be taken with sb” formal or informal?
It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. - Can “be taken with sb” refer to romantic feelings?
Yes, but it usually describes initial attraction or admiration, not deep love. - Is “be taken with sb” separable?
No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb. - What is the difference between “be taken with sb” and “be fond of sb”?
“Be taken with sb” often means a first impression or sudden liking, while “be fond of sb” means a longer-term affection.
