What Does “Take to sth” Mean?
“Take to sth” means to develop a liking or habit for something, often quickly or naturally.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “take to sth” is commonly used in English to express how someone begins to like or adopt a new habit, activity, or thing. It often suggests an easy or natural attraction to something. Understanding the take to sth meaning can help you describe emotions, behaviors, and preferences more clearly. This phrasal verb appears frequently in both spoken and written English, making it a useful phrase for learners to master. Whether talking about hobbies, skills, or even people, “take to sth” adds color to your language.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: take to something
- Type: Intransitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to like or start doing something regularly
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Take to sth” is inseparable, which means you cannot place the object between “take” and “to.” The object always follows the preposition “to.”
- Subject + take + to + noun/gerund
- Example: She took to swimming quickly.
How to Use Take to sth?
Use “take to sth” when you want to say someone begins to like or regularly do an activity or thing. It often describes new habits or interests. The phrase is usually followed by a noun or a gerund (verb + -ing).
For example, you might say, “He took to running after moving to the countryside,” meaning he started running and liked it.
Examples
When my niece started school, she quickly took to reading books on her own.
- After the first lesson, the students took to playing the piano with enthusiasm.
- She didn’t like the new job at first, but she soon took to it.
- My dog has taken to sleeping on the sofa.
- He took to painting as a way to relax after work.
These sentences show how “take to sth” describes liking or starting new habits.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “take to sth” with similar phrases or try to separate the verb and preposition incorrectly.
- Incorrect: She took swimming to quickly.
- Correct: She took to swimming quickly.
- Incorrect: He took the new hobby to.
- Correct: He took to the new hobby.
Remember, “take to” is inseparable and must be followed directly by the object (noun or gerund).
Differences / Synonyms
“Take to sth” is similar to “get into sth” or “take up sth,” but there are slight differences:
- Take to sth: Suggests liking something naturally or quickly.
- Get into sth: Means to become interested or involved, often over time.
- Take up sth: Means to start a new activity or hobby.
Example: She took to yoga immediately (liked it). She got into yoga after a few classes (became interested). She took up yoga last year (started doing yoga).
Common Collocations
People often use “take to” with activities, habits, or things they like or start doing regularly.
- Take to swimming: start liking or doing swimming
- Take to a new hobby: begin enjoying a hobby
- Take to a pet: develop a liking for an animal
- Take to a job: begin to enjoy or adapt to work
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of take to sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “take to sth”:
Anna: How did you like the cooking class?
Ben: I took to it pretty quickly. I’m already trying new recipes at home!
Anna: That’s great! Cooking can be so relaxing once you get the hang of it.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “take to”:
- After moving to the city, she quickly _________ cycling to work.
- He didn’t enjoy the new sport at first but soon _________ it.
- My cat has _________ sleeping on the window sill.
FAQ
- What does “take to sth” mean? It means to start liking or doing something regularly.
- Is “take to sth” separable? No, it is inseparable. The object always comes after “to.”
- Can “take to” be used with people? Yes, it can mean starting to like a person.
- What is the difference between “take to” and “take up”? “Take to” means to like or adapt to something, while “take up” means to start a new activity.
- Can I use “take to” with gerunds? Yes, for example, “She took to jogging.”
