“Taken” and “taking” both come from the verb take, but they do different jobs. Mixing them up is one of the most common grammar slips among English learners. This guide shows the difference, the rules behind it, and quick tricks to pick the right word every time.
Taken vs Taking: The Core Difference
- Taking is the present participle. It shows an action in progress.
- Taken is the past participle. It shows a completed action, and it is used with “have/has/had” or “be” verbs.
Quick examples:
- She is taking a photo. (happening now)
- She has taken a photo. (finished)
If the action is ongoing, use taking. If it is finished or the sentence is passive, use taken.
Taken vs Taking Explained Clearly With Grammar Rules
Follow these three rules:
- Use “taking” after a form of “be” (am, is, are, was, were, will be) for continuous tenses.
- Use “taken” after a form of “have” (have, has, had) for perfect tenses.
- Use “taken” after a form of “be” when the subject receives the action. This is the passive voice.
| Rule | Pattern | Example |
| Continuous | be + taking | They are taking the train. |
| Perfect | have + taken | They have taken the train. |
| Passive | be + taken | The seat was taken. |
Taking Synonym Formal
In formal writing, “taking” can feel plain. These alternatives often work better:
- Accepting or receiving (taking a gift, taking feedback)
- Obtaining or acquiring (taking possession)
- Undertaking or assuming (taking responsibility)
- Adopting (taking a new approach)
- Seizing or capturing (taking control by force)
- Requiring (taking two hours to finish)
Informal: “He is taking the lead on this project.”
Formal: “He is assuming leadership of this project.”
Understanding the Verb “Take”
Before comparing the two forms, it helps to know the verb they come from.
Meaning of “Take”
Take is one of the most flexible verbs in English. Its main meanings are:
- To grab or hold something: Take my hand.
- To carry or move something: Take this to the office.
- To accept: I’ll take the job.
- To need time: The trip takes an hour.
- To use transport: We take the bus.
- To study or sit for something: She takes French classes.
Forms of “Take”
Take is an irregular verb. It does not add “-ed” for the past tense.
| Form | Word | Example |
| Base | take | I take tea every morning. |
| Third person | takes | He takes notes. |
| Present participle | taking | We are taking a break. |
| Simple past | took | She took the keys. |
| Past participle | taken | The keys were taken. |
A common mistake is mixing up took and taken. “I have took” is wrong. Use “I have taken.”
Quick Summary of Grammatical Functions
| Word | Type | Used In | Example |
| Taking | Present participle | Continuous tenses | I am taking a walk. |
| Taking | Gerund (noun) | Subject or object | Taking risks is part of growth. |
| Taken | Past participle | Perfect tenses | He has taken a break. |
| Taken | Past participle | Passive voice | The decision was taken yesterday. |
Taken vs Taking
Think of the two words as snapshots of time. Taking captures the action while it happens. Taken captures the result after it is done. Both can also describe things. A “taken seat” is occupied, and “taking care of someone” describes an ongoing duty.
Understanding Participles and Gerunds
- A participle is a verb form that helps build tenses or acts like an adjective.
- A gerund is an “-ing” word that works as a noun.
Taking can be either. Taken is only a participle.
- Participle: She is taking notes.
- Gerund: Taking notes helps me focus.
When to Use “Taking”
Use taking when:
- the action is happening now or was happening at a certain time
- you need a noun form of the action
- it follows a preposition (by taking, without taking)
“Taking” in Continuous (Progressive) Tenses
| Tense | Example |
| Present continuous | I am taking the exam today. |
| Past continuous | He was taking a nap. |
| Future continuous | We will be taking off at noon. |
| Present perfect continuous | She has been taking lessons for a year. |
Notice that the last row contains “has been taking.” The helper “been” stays, and the main verb stays taking.
READ THIS: Respond vs. Response: Usage Rules & Clear Examples
“Taking” as a Gerund (Noun Form)
As a noun, taking names the action itself:
- Taking responsibility builds trust.
- I’m tired of taking orders.
- His hobby is taking photographs.
Common Expressions with “Taking”
- taking care of
- taking part in
- taking advantage of
- taking place
- taking off
- taking for granted
- taking into account
- taking a chance
Quick Reference Table for “Taking”
| Use | Pattern | Example |
| Ongoing action | be + taking | I am taking medicine. |
| Gerund | Taking + noun | Taking breaks improves focus. |
| After preposition | prep + taking | He passed by taking extra classes. |
| Adjective (rare) | a taking smile | A taking smile (charming). |
Common Prepositions Used with Taken and Taking
| Word | Common Prepositions | Example |
| Taking | part in, care of, advantage of, charge of | She is taking part in the contest. |
| Taking | to (a place), from, off, over | He is taking over the team. |
| Taken | by, from, to, for, aback, over | The pen was taken by a student. |
Active vs. Passive Voice with Taken and Taking
In the active voice, the subject performs the action. In the passive voice, the subject receives it.
| Voice | Sentence | Form |
| Active | The manager is taking the call. | taking |
| Active | The manager has taken the call. | taken |
| Passive | The call is being taken by the manager. | taken |
| Passive | The call was taken by the manager. | taken |
In “is being taken,” both forms of take show up. Being carries the progressive meaning, and taken carries the passive meaning.
Common Expressions with “Taken”
- taken aback (surprised)
- taken for granted
- taken care of
- taken over
- taken ill
- taken into account
- taken apart
- taken by surprise
Quick Reference Table for “Taken”
| Use | Pattern | Example |
| Present perfect | have/has + taken | I have taken the medicine. |
| Past perfect | had + taken | She had taken the earlier flight. |
| Passive | be + taken | The photo was taken in Paris. |
| Adjective | taken seat | Sorry, this seat is taken. |
How to Pronounce Taking
- Taking: /ˈteɪ.kɪŋ/ — “TAY-king”
- Taken: /ˈteɪ.kən/ — “TAY-kun”
The first syllable sounds like “take” in both words. Only the ending changes. Say -king for taking and -kun for taken.
When to Use “Taken”
Use taken when the sentence needs a past participle.
“Taken” in Perfect Tenses
| Tense | Example |
| Present perfect | They have taken the lead. |
| Past perfect | He had taken the test before. |
| Future perfect | By June, I will have taken three courses. |
“Taken” in the Passive Voice
- The package was taken to the wrong address.
- All the tickets have been taken.
- Action will be taken soon.
Comparing “Taken” vs “Taking”
| Feature | Taking | Taken |
| Verb form | Present participle | Past participle |
| Time focus | Ongoing | Completed |
| Helping verb | am/is/are/was/were | have/has/had or be |
| Works as noun? | Yes (gerund) | No |
| Example | I am taking a break. | I have taken a break. |
Common Confusions
- Taken vs took.Took is the simple past and stands alone. Taken needs a helper.
- ✅ She took the bus. ✅ She has taken the bus.
- ❌ She has took the bus. ❌ She taken the bus.
- Taking vs take. After “to,” use the base form: I want to take a break. But I look forward to taking a break uses “taking” because “to” is a preposition there.
Tricky Pairs Explained
- “Is taken” vs “is taking.” The seat is taken means someone sits there. He is taking the seat means he is sitting down now.
- “Has taken” vs “has been taking.” She has taken medicine is a completed action. She has been taking medicine is a continuing habit.
- “Being taken” vs “taking.” The photo is being taken is passive. She is taking a photo is active.
Real English in Action
You’ll see these forms daily:
- News: “The government is taking steps to reduce prices.” / “Action has been taken.”
- Work email: “I am taking leave next week.” / “Your request has been taken into account.”
- Casual talk: “I’m taking the kids to school.” / “Is this seat taken?”
How to Choose the Right Word in Passive Voice vs. Active Voice
Ask two questions:
- Who does the action? If the subject does it, the sentence is active. Use taking for ongoing or taken after “have.”
- Does the subject receive the action? If yes, it’s passive. Use a form of “be” plus taken.
Example: “The teacher is taking attendance” is active. “Attendance is being taken” is passive.
Quick Grammar Hacks to Remember
- Have/has/had → taken.
- Am/is/are/was/were + doing → taking.
- Preposition + action → taking (by taking, without taking).
- “-ing” can be a noun, “-en” cannot.
- Say the sentence aloud. “I have taking” sounds wrong, and so it is.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Correct |
| I have took my lunch. | I have taken my lunch. |
| She is taken a bath. | She is taking a bath. |
| He has taking the test. | He has taken the test. |
| The seat is taking. | The seat is taken. |
| They taken the bus. | They took the bus. |
Examples Section: Taken vs Taking in Sentences
Taking
- I am taking a shower.
- They were taking pictures at the beach.
- She is thinking about taking a new job.
- Taking daily walks keeps me healthy.
Taken
- He has taken his medicine.
- The decision was taken by the board.
- All the rooms are taken.
- She had taken the train before.
Self Assessment: Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with taking or taken.
- She has ______ her notes to class.
- We are ______ a vacation next month.
- This chair is already ______.
- ______ regular breaks improves productivity.
- The photos were ______ at sunrise.
- He is ______ the exam right now.
- I have never ______ a cruise.
- They were ______ their time.
Self Assessment Answers
- taken
- taking
- taken
- Taking
- taken
- taking
- taken
- taking
Frequently Asked Questions
Can “taken” be used without a helping verb?
Only as an adjective, as in “a taken seat” or “the taken items.” As a verb, it always needs a helper such as have or be.
What is the main difference between “taken” and “taking”?
Taking shows an action in progress. Taken shows a completed action or a passive meaning.
What is the significance of taking?
Taking describes ongoing action and also works as a noun, such as “taking responsibility.” It is key to continuous tenses and gerund phrases.
Is it “taking time” or “taken time”?
Both can be correct. “I am taking time off” is ongoing. “I have taken time off” is completed.
How do we take mean?
Take means to grab, carry, accept, need or use something, depending on context. Its forms are take, takes, taking, took and taken.
Final Conclusion
The difference between taken and taking comes down to timing and structure. Use taking for ongoing actions and noun-like phrases. Use taken for completed actions and passive sentences. Check the helper verb first: be + action points to taking, and have points to taken.
Practice with the quiz above and review the common mistakes table. With a little repetition, the choice becomes automatic.
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