Keyword: take
Grammatical Overview
Take is a primary delexicalized verb in English. Beyond its physical meaning of grabbing or moving something, it functions as a critical pattern driver for impersonal time/cost frames (it takes 20 minutes to...), fixed prepositional phrases (take for granted, take into account), and event collocations (take place).
🗺️ Pattern Map (Colligation & Grammar)
Pattern 1: it + take + (Person) + Duration/Cost + to-Infinitive
- Structure:
It + take + (Object) + [Time / Effort / Money] + to + Base Verb - Meaning: Expresses the amount of time, energy, or resources required to complete an action.
- Examples:
- It took me two hours to finish writing the proposal.
- Learning a second language takes patience to master.
Pattern 2: take + Direct Object + Prepositional Frame
- Structure:
Subject + take + [Object] + [Preposition + Noun Phrase] - Meaning: Moves, guides, or subjects an idea/person into a specific state or condition.
- Examples:
- We must take all possibilities into account before deciding.
- Please don't take her support for granted.
🧩 Key Lexical Chunks (Collocations & Idioms)
Spoken & Written Formulaic Units
- take place: To happen or occur (The meeting will take place tomorrow).
- take care of: To look after or manage something/someone.
- take for granted: To fail to appreciate something because you are used to it.
- take part in: To participate in an activity or event.
- take one's time: To perform an action without rushing.
🎴 Interactive Web Practice (10 Questions)
Practice 1: It took me nearly three hours ______ the report.
Answer:
to finish
Practice 2: The international conference will take ______ in Toronto this year.
Answer:
place
Practice 3: Please take care ______ yourself while traveling alone.
Answer:
of
Practice 4: Don't take good health ______ granted.
Answer:
for
Practice 5: Over fifty students took part ______ the debate competition.
Answer:
in
Practice 6: You can take ______ time; there is no need to hurry.
Answer:
your
Practice 7: We should take these extra costs ______ account before making a budget.
Answer:
into
Practice 8: The new safety rules will take ______ starting next Monday.
Answer:
effect
Practice 9: How long does it take ______ (drive) from here to downtown?
Answer:
to drive
Practice 10: She took full advantage ______ the free workshop offered by the school.
Answer:
of
🔗 Related Patterns & Chunks
- 🗺️ Pattern: it-takes-time — Dummy subject time & resource complement structures
- 🧩 Chunk: take-for-granted — Idiomatic formulaic unit for appreciation
- 🧩 Chunk: take-place — Formulaic event occurrence phrase