Some English mistakes aren’t about difficult vocabulary—they’re about small differences that quietly change the whole sentence. Taken and taking are a perfect example. They come from the same verb, take, but they don’t work the same way at all. One talks about something that’s already finished, while the other describes an action that is still happening. Mixing them up can make your sentence sound unnatural, even if the rest of your grammar is correct.
This confusion is very common because both forms appear in everyday English—whether you’re chatting, writing, or studying. The good news is that once you understand the pattern behind them, the difference becomes simple and easy to remember. In this guide, you’ll learn how to use taken and taking correctly through clear explanations, real-life examples, and practical tips so you can speak and write with confidence.
The Root of It All: Understanding the Verb “Take”
Before comparing taken and taking, we must understand their parent verb: take.
What Does “Take” Mean?
The verb take is extremely flexible. Depending on context, it can mean:
- To grab or hold something
- To receive something
- To choose or accept
- To capture (photos, notes)
- To experience (take a break, take a risk)
Examples:
- “Please take this book.”
- “I’ll take the red one.”
- “She took a deep breath.”
- “He takes responsibility seriously.”
Because take is so common, its different forms appear everywhere in English.
Forms of the Verb “Take” (Quick Overview)
| Verb Form | Example | Function |
| Base form | take | Present / infinitive |
| Past simple | took | Completed past action |
| Past participle | taken | Perfect tenses / passive |
| Present participle | taking | Continuous tenses / gerund |
The real confusion begins with the participles—taken and taking.
What Are Participles (and Why They Matter)?
A participle is a verb form that helps build tenses or describe actions.
Two Types of Participles:
- Present participle → ends in -ing (taking)
- Past participle → often ends in -ed, or is irregular (taken)
Participles are powerful because they can:
- Form verb tenses
- Act as adjectives
- Become nouns (gerunds)
Understanding this makes taken vs taking much easier.
When to Use “Taking” (Present Participle)
Taking shows an action that is:
- Happening now
- Still in progress
- Repeated or ongoing
4.1 “Taking” in Continuous (Progressive) Tenses
Use taking with helper verbs like am / is / are / was / were / will be.
| Tense | Sentence | Meaning |
| Present continuous | “I am taking notes.” | Happening now |
| Past continuous | “She was taking a shower.” | Happening in the past |
| Future continuous | “They will be taking classes.” | Ongoing in the future |
Rule: If the action feels unfinished or moving, use taking.
4.2 Timeline Visualization
- Yesterday: “I was taking pictures.”
- Now: “I am taking pictures.”
- Tomorrow: “I will be taking pictures.”
Same action. Different times. Still ongoing.
“Taking” as a Gerund (Verb Acting Like a Noun)
Here’s where many learners get confused.
Sometimes taking is not part of a verb tense—it’s a noun.
Examples:
- “Taking responsibility is important.”
- “She enjoys taking photos.”
- “Taking breaks improves focus.”
In these sentences, taking is the thing itself, not the action happening now.
Common Verbs Followed by Gerunds:
| Verb | Example |
| enjoy | “He enjoys taking walks.” |
| avoid | “She avoids taking risks.” |
| consider | “They’re considering taking the job.” |
| love | “I love taking pictures.” |
Test: If you can replace the phrase with “this activity”, it’s a gerund.
Everyday Expressions with “Taking”
Native speakers use taking in many fixed phrases.
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
| taking care of | responsibility | “She’s taking care of her parents.” |
| taking place | happening | “The event is taking place tonight.” |
| taking part in | participating | “He’s taking part in the race.” |
| taking advantage of | using opportunity | “She’s taking advantage of the offer.” |
These expressions almost always use taking when the action is ongoing.
When to Use “Taken” (Past Participle)
Taken shows an action that is:
- Completed
- Finished
- Already experienced
7.1 “Taken” in Perfect Tenses
Use taken with have / has / had / will have.
| Tense | Sentence | Meaning |
| Present perfect | “I have taken the test.” | Done recently |
| Past perfect | “She had taken the train.” | Done before another past action |
| Future perfect | “They will have taken the exam.” | Done before a future time |
If you see have, taken is your answer.
Taken” in Passive Voice
Passive voice focuses on what happened, not who did it.
Examples:
- “The photo was taken yesterday.”
- “All the seats were taken.”
- “My phone was taken by mistake.”
Here, the subject receives the action.
Tip: If something happened to the subject, use taken.
Idiomatic Expressions with “Taken”
Some meanings of taken are completely figurative.
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
| taken aback | surprised | “I was taken aback by the news.” |
| taken for granted | not appreciated | “She feels taken for granted.” |
| taken into account | considered | “Your opinion was taken into account.” |
| taken seriously | considered important | “His warning wasn’t taken seriously.” |
| taken by surprise | shocked | “They were taken by surprise.” |
These phrases almost never change form.
Taken vs Taking: Side‑by‑Side Comparison
| Feature | Taken | Taking |
| Verb form | Past participle | Present participle |
| Time focus | Completed | Ongoing |
| Used with | have / has / had / passive | am / is / are / was / were |
| Example | “I have taken notes.” | “I am taking notes.” |
Simple rule:
- Taking = happening
- Taken = finished
Common Confusions Explained Clearly
Taking care of vs Taken care of
- “I am taking care of the problem.” (in progress)
- “The problem has been taken care of.” (finished)
Taking place vs Taken place
- “The ceremony is taking place now.”
- “The ceremony has taken place already.”
Being taken vs Taking
- “My picture is being taken.” (passive)
- “I am taking a picture.” (active)
Real‑Life English Usage
In Movies & TV:
- “Everything has been taken from me.”
- “She’s taking a call right now.”
In Daily Conversation:
- “I’ve taken my medicine.”
- “He’s taking a short break.”
- “All tickets were taken.”
Spoken English prefers taking. Written English often uses taken.
Memory Hacks That Actually Work
🧠 Hack 1: Now vs Done
- Happening now → taking
- Already done → taken
🧠 Hack 2: Helper Verb Test
- am / is / are → taking
- have / has / had → taken
🧠 Hack 3: Visual Cue
- Taking → 🚶 motion
- Taken → ✅ finished
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ “I am taken notes.”
✅ “I am taking notes.”
❌ “He has taking my phone.”
✅ “He has taken my phone.”
❌ “The event is taken place.”
✅ “The event is taking place.”
Always check the helper verb—it reveals the correct form.
Practice Section (Try Before You Check)
Fill in the blanks:
- She is _______ a language course.
- He has _______ my advice seriously.
- The seats were _______ quickly.
- I am _______ notes during the lecture.
- The meeting has _______ place.
Answers:
- taking
- taken
- taken
- taking
- taken
ESL Case Study: Real Learning Example
Ahmed, an ESL student, often said:
❌ “I am taken online classes.”
After learning helper verbs, he corrected himself:
✅ “I am taking online classes.”
Later, he said:
❌ “I have taking three courses.”
Corrected to:
✅ “I have taken three courses.”
Within days, his confidence improved simply by identifying time + helper verb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “taken” always past tense?
No. It’s a past participle, used in perfect tenses and passive voice.
Can “taking” be a noun?
Yes. As a gerund, it acts like a noun.
Which is more common in spoken English?
Taking—because people talk about ongoing actions.
ng steps—and soon you’ll realize you’ve already taken your grammar to the next level.
FAQs
Is “taken” always past tense?
No. Taken is a past participle, not a simple past tense. It’s used with have / has / had in perfect tenses or in the passive voice.
Can “taking” act as a noun?
Yes. When used as a gerund, taking functions like a noun. Example: “Taking breaks improves focus.”
How do I know when to use “taking” vs “taken”?
Simple rule:
- Happening now or ongoing → taking
- Completed or finished → taken
Helper verbs help: am/is/are → taking, have/has/had → taken
Are there idiomatic expressions with “taken”?
Yes, common phrases include:
- “taken aback” → surprised
- “taken for granted” → not appreciated
- “taken into account” → considered
Are there idioms with “taking”?
Yes, common expressions include:
- “taking care of” → handling responsibility
- “taking part in” → participating
- “taking advantage of” → using an opportunity
Which is more common in spoken English, taken or taking?
Taking is more common in spoken English because people often talk about ongoing actions. Taken is used more in formal writing or when emphasizing completed actions.
Can “taken” be used in active voice?
Rarely. Taken usually appears in passive constructions. For example, “All the seats were taken” focuses on the action received by the subject.
Are there common mistakes learners make with these words?
Yes, frequent errors include:
❌ “I am taken notes.” → Correct: “I am taking notes.”
❌ “He has taking my phone.” → Correct: “He has taken my phone.”
Always check the helper verb to choose the right form.
Are you stuck on grammar? You can see our more free guides:
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- Swap vs Swop? The One Spelling Rule You Must Never Get Wrong
- Sale vs Sail? The One Spelling Rule You Must Never Get Wrong
- Persue or Pursue? The One Spelling Rule You Must Never Get Wrong
Conclusion
The difference between taken and taking may seem small, but it plays a big role in making your English clear and accurate. Taking is used when an action is ongoing or in progress, while taken is used for actions that are already completed or when forming perfect tenses and passive voice. Understanding this core idea helps you avoid some of the most common grammar mistakes learners make.
The key is to pay attention to helper verbs and the timing of the action. With consistent practice, real-life examples, and a little awareness, choosing between taken and taking will become automatic. Over time, you’ll not only improve your grammar but also sound more natural, confident, and fluent in everyday English.
