Taken – Definition and Part of Speech
The word taken serves primarily as a verb in its past participle form, derived from “take.” It indicates that an action has been completed by the subject concerning acquiring, capturing, or obtaining something. This word can be used in various contexts such as physical possession (“the book was taken”), metaphorical capture (e.g., “her attention was taken”), and figurative senses like adoption of ideas (“the policy had been taken on board”). When functioning as an adjective, it describes something that has been acquired or captured (“a taken seat”).
Core Synonyms
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acquired | Obtained possession of, often after effort | “The company had acquired new clients.” | Formal/Business |
| Captured | Taken control or possession, often by force | “The fortress was captured by the enemy overnight.” | Formal/Informal (Military Context) |
| Secured | Ensured possession with a sense of safety | “He secured his future with this job contract.” | Business/Formal |
| Appropriated | Taken for one’s own use, sometimes unjustly | “The funds were appropriated without consent.” | Formal/Academic/Legal |
| Possessed | Owned or had physical control over | “She was possessed of a rare collection of books.” | Formal/Informal |
| Adopted | Taken on willingly or formally agreed upon | “They adopted new strategies for the project.” | Business/Academic |
Usage Notes
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Acquired: Preferred in formal and business settings where the focus is on procurement, especially after some effort. Example: “The museum acquired several rare artifacts over the years.”
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Captured: Commonly used in both military and informal contexts to denote taking control, often implying some struggle or conflict. Example: In casual conversation, one might say, “He captured my heart with his smile.”
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Secured: Often applied where safety, guarantee, or protection is a key concern. This term is suitable for business contexts related to ensuring assets or positions. For instance, “The security team secured the building perimeter.”
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Appropriated: Used in legal and academic settings, this synonym suggests taking something, typically without right or permission. It carries an implication of misuse or unauthorized use. Example: “The government appropriated funds from various departments.”
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Possessed: This term is versatile across formal and informal contexts, referring to ownership or physical control over objects. For instance, “He possessed a keen intellect that was admired by his peers.”
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Adopted: Suitable for describing the voluntary acceptance of ideas, policies, or even children into families. Common in business when discussing new initiatives or academic discussions around policy changes.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake with synonyms like taken is using them interchangeably without considering context-specific nuances. For example:
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Appropriated vs. Acquired: Appropriated implies a lack of consent, whereas acquired does not have this connotation.
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Possessed vs. Owned: Possessed can suggest temporary control or influence, while owned typically indicates permanent ownership.
Understanding these differences is crucial in selecting the most appropriate synonym for your context, especially in formal writing where precision matters.
Final Recap
The word taken has numerous synonyms like acquired, captured, secured, appropriated, possessed, and adopted. Each carries distinct nuances that make them suitable for different contexts—ranging from business and legal settings to informal conversation and academic discourse. To master these terms:
- Practice using them in sentences appropriate to their context.
- Experiment with synonyms in written assignments or discussions.
Understanding the subtle differences between synonyms not only enhances vocabulary but also sharpens communication skills across various registers.