If you are unsure whether to write “taken” or “taking,” the problem is usually not vocabulary. Both words come from the verb take, but they perform different grammatical jobs.
Compare these sentences:
- She has taken my book.
- She is taking my book.
Both are grammatically correct, but they describe different situations. In the first sentence, taken is the past participle of take and works with has.
In the second, taking is the present participle and works with is to describe an action in progress.
This difference matters because choosing the wrong form can change the tense, meaning, or structure of a sentence.
The good news is that the rule is straightforward once you understand how the forms of take work.
Quick Answer
Taken is the past participle of take, while taking is the present participle/gerund of take.
Use taken mainly with have, has, had or in passive constructions such as was taken.
Use taking mainly with am, is, are, was, were for an action in progress, or as a gerund: Taking notes is useful.
They are not interchangeable. The correct choice depends on the grammar and meaning of the sentence.
taken vs taking: At a Glance
| Feature | Taken | Taking |
|---|---|---|
| Base verb | take | take |
| Verb form | Past participle | Present participle / -ing form |
| Pronunciation | /ˈteɪkən/ | /ˈteɪkɪŋ/ |
| Main use | Perfect tenses and passive voice | Continuous tenses and gerunds |
| Example | She has taken the keys. | She is taking the keys. |
| Common auxiliary | have, has, had | am, is, are, was, were |
| Passive use | The photo was taken yesterday. | Not normally used as the passive participle |
| Continuous use | Not by itself | They are taking a break. |
| Gerund use | No | Taking notes helps. |
| Meaning focus | Completed, received, or affected action | Action in progress or activity |
| Formality | Neutral | Neutral |
| US vs UK | Same basic grammar | Same basic grammar |
| Common mistake | Using taken without an auxiliary | Using taking after have/has/had |
| Example question | Have you taken it? | Are you taking it? |
Quick rule: If you see have, has, or had, taken is usually the form you need. If you see am, is, are, was, or were describing an action in progress, taking is usually the right form.
What Does “Taken” Mean?
Taken is the past participle of the irregular verb take.
The principal forms of the verb are:
take → took → taken → taking
Unlike a regular verb such as walk (walked, walked), take changes its form:
- Present: take
- Past: took
- Past participle: taken
- Present participle: taking
The form taken normally needs another verb when it is used as part of a verb phrase.
For example:
- I have taken the test.
- She has taken the wrong bus.
- They had taken all the seats.
- The picture was taken yesterday.
- The package has been taken inside.
You normally cannot use taken as the simple past form:
- ❌ I taken the book yesterday.
- ✅ I took the book yesterday.
That is one of the most important distinctions to remember.
Grammar of “Taken”
Taken is a past participle, so it commonly appears in two major grammatical structures.
1. Perfect tenses
Use taken after forms of have:
- I have taken the medicine.
- She has taken the exam.
- We had taken the wrong road.
The structure is:
have/has/had + taken
2. Passive voice
Use taken after a form of be when take is used in the passive voice:
- The photograph was taken in Paris.
- The children were taken home.
- The documents have been taken from the office.
The structure may be:
be + taken
or:
have/has/had + been + taken
“Taken” Does Not Always Mean “Removed”
The verb take has many meanings, so taken can have different meanings depending on context.
For example:
- She has taken my pen.
→ She has removed or carried it away. - He has taken the exam.
→ He has completed the exam. - The bus has taken us downtown.
→ The bus has transported us. - She was taken by surprise.
→ She was surprised unexpectedly. - He has taken an interest in photography.
→ He has developed an interest.
Therefore, the grammatical form stays the same even when the meaning of take changes.
What Does “Taking” Mean?
Taking is the present participle of take. It is also commonly called the -ing form.
The word is formed by adding -ing to the base verb:
take → taking
The final e is dropped before -ing:
- take → taking
- make → making
- write → writing
The form taking has several important uses.
1. Continuous Tenses
The most common use is with forms of be to describe an action in progress.
Examples:
- I am taking a shower.
- She is taking notes.
- They are taking a break.
- We were taking photographs.
- He was taking the train home.
The basic structure is:
be + taking
The tense is determined by the form of be, not by taking itself.
Compare:
- I am taking a class. — present continuous
- I was taking a class. — past continuous
- They are taking notes. — present continuous
- They were taking notes. — past continuous
2. Gerund
Taking can also function as a noun-like gerund.
For example:
- Taking notes helps me remember information.
- Taking regular breaks can improve concentration.
- Taking the bus is cheaper than driving.
- Taking responsibility is important.
Here, taking does not describe an action currently happening. Instead, the activity itself is being discussed.
Compare:
She is taking notes.
Here, taking is part of a continuous verb phrase.
Taking notes is useful.
Here, taking notes functions as the subject of the sentence.
3. Participial Phrases
Taking can also begin a participial phrase:
- Taking a shortcut, we arrived early.
- Taking the train, she avoided the traffic.
- Taking his advice, I changed my plan.
These structures provide additional information about an action or circumstance.
The Main Difference Between Taken and Taking
The simplest way to understand taken vs taking is to look at what each form tells you about the action.
Taken is the past participle.
Taking is the present participle or gerund.
Consider this sequence:
- I take the bus.
- I took the bus.
- I have taken the bus.
- I am taking the bus.
Each sentence uses a different form of the same verb.
| Form | Example | Function |
|---|---|---|
| take | I take the bus. | Base/present form |
| took | I took the bus. | Simple past |
| taken | I have taken the bus. | Past participle |
| taking | I am taking the bus. | Present participle |
This is why taken and taking cannot simply replace each other.
When Should You Use “Taken”?
Use taken when the grammar calls for a past participle.
After Have, Has, or Had
- I have taken the course.
- She has taken my advice.
- They had taken the wrong train.
In Passive Constructions
- The photograph was taken at sunset.
- The students were taken to the museum.
- The money was taken from the drawer.
In Perfect Passive Constructions
- The photographs have been taken.
- The documents had been taken away.
- The decision has been taken by the committee.
In Common Expressions
Some expressions naturally use taken:
- taken seriously
- taken by surprise
- taken for granted
- taken aback
- taken care of
- taken into account
- taken place
For example:
- Her concerns should be taken seriously.
- I was taken by surprise.
- Good health is often taken for granted.
- The meeting took place on Monday.
Notice that taken place is normally used with a form of have:
- The event has taken place.
- The meeting had taken place before we arrived.
When Should You Use “Taking”?
Use taking when the sentence needs an -ing form.
After Forms of “Be”
- She is taking a course.
- I am taking notes.
- They are taking a taxi.
- He was taking photographs.
To Describe an Activity
- Taking notes helps students study.
- Taking regular walks can be beneficial.
- Taking the train saves time.
After Certain Verbs and Expressions
Some structures naturally allow an -ing form:
- avoid taking
- consider taking
- keep taking
- enjoy taking
- stop taking
- finish taking
Examples:
- You should consider taking another route.
- She enjoys taking photographs.
- He avoided taking unnecessary risks.
- They finished taking the measurements.
taken vs taking in Different Tenses
Understanding tense makes the difference much easier.
Simple Present
Use the base form:
- I take the bus every day.
- She takes the bus every day.
Not:
- ❌ I taking the bus every day.
- ❌ I taken the bus every day.
Simple Past
Use took:
- I took the bus yesterday.
- She took the wrong train.
Not:
- ❌ I taken the bus yesterday.
- ❌ I taking the bus yesterday.
Present Perfect
Use taken:
- I have taken the bus.
- She has taken the exam.
Past Perfect
Use taken:
- I had taken the wrong road.
- They had taken all the seats.
Present Continuous
Use taking:
- I am taking the bus.
- She is taking an exam.
- They are taking photographs.
Past Continuous
Use taking:
- I was taking notes.
- They were taking pictures.
Why “I Have Taking” Is Wrong
One of the most common errors is using taking after have when the sentence requires a past participle.
Incorrect:
❌ I have taking the exam.
Correct:
✅ I have taken the exam.
Why?
Because the present perfect follows this pattern:
have/has + past participle
The past participle of take is taken, not taking.
Therefore:
- have taken
- has taken
- had taken
not:
- ❌ have taking
- ❌ has taking
- ❌ had taking
Why “I Am Taken” Is Different From “I Am Taking”
These two sentences look similar, but their grammar and meaning are very different.
I am taking the book.
This is active.
It means I am performing the action.
I am taken to the hospital.
This is passive.
It means someone else takes me to the hospital.
The difference is:
am + taking → active continuous action
am + taken → passive construction
Compare:
- The nurse is taking the patient inside.
- The patient is taken inside by the nurse.
In the first sentence, the nurse performs the action.
In the second sentence, the patient receives the action.
taken vs taking in Everyday English
Both forms are extremely common in everyday conversation, but they appear in different structures.
Everyday examples with “taken”
- Have you taken your keys?
- She has taken my seat.
- I have taken enough notes.
- The photo was taken last summer.
- He had taken the wrong turn.
Everyday examples with “taking”
- What are you taking?
- I’m taking the train.
- She’s taking a break.
- Are you taking any classes?
- We’re taking pictures.
The surrounding words often make the correct choice obvious.
Professional and Business Writing
Both forms are common in professional English.
“Taken” in professional writing
- The committee has taken the matter seriously.
- The company has taken several steps to improve safety.
- The decision was taken after careful consideration.
- The report has taken recent developments into account.
“Taking” in professional writing
- The company is taking steps to improve service.
- We are taking your concerns seriously.
- The team is taking a different approach.
- The department is taking applications until Friday.
A useful distinction is:
has taken often emphasizes an action that has already occurred or has consequences now.
is taking emphasizes an action or process that is currently happening.
Academic Writing
Academic English also uses both forms frequently.
Examples with taken:
- The researchers have taken several variables into account.
- The samples were taken from three locations.
- The study has taken a different approach.
Examples with taking:
- Taking these factors into account, the researchers reached a different conclusion.
- The study is taking a broader approach.
- Taking the available evidence into consideration, the authors propose a new explanation.
In academic writing, pay particular attention to passive constructions:
The samples were taken from participants.
Here, taken is required because the sentence is passive.
20+ Real-Life Examples of Taken and Taking
Here are original examples across everyday, academic, professional, and informal situations.
Everyday Conversation
- Have you taken your phone with you?
- I’m taking the bus home tonight.
- She has taken my umbrella by mistake.
- What are you taking to the party?
- The picture was taken during our vacation.
School and Education
- I have taken three English courses this year.
- The students are taking a mathematics test.
- Taking notes helps me remember new vocabulary.
- The teacher has taken attendance already.
- The students were taking notes during the lecture.
Workplace and Business
- The company has taken several measures to reduce costs.
- Our team is taking a closer look at the data.
- The manager has taken your suggestion seriously.
- We are taking applications until Friday.
- The decision was taken after a lengthy discussion.
Email Writing
- I have taken your comments into consideration.
- We are taking the necessary steps to resolve the issue.
- The photographs were taken by our communications team.
Social Media and Text Messages
- Have you taken any pictures yet?
- I’m taking a break from social media today.
- She has taken down the post.
- We’re taking the scenic route!
Academic and Professional Writing
- The researchers have taken several limitations into account.
- Taking these findings together, the authors suggest further research.
- The samples were taken from different locations.
- The study is taking a multidisciplinary approach.
Common Mistakes With Taken and Taking
Mistake 1: Using “taken” as the simple past
❌ I taken the train yesterday.
Why is it wrong?
The simple past of take is took, not taken.
Correct:
✅ I took the train yesterday.
Better:
✅ I took the train to work yesterday.
Mistake 2: Using “taking” after “has”
❌ She has taking the exam.
Why is it wrong?
After has, the present perfect requires a past participle.
Correct:
✅ She has taken the exam.
Mistake 3: Using “taken” after “is” for an active action
❌ She is taken the test.
If she is actively doing the test, use taking.
Correct:
✅ She is taking the test.
However:
✅ She is taken to the hospital.
is grammatical because this sentence is passive.
Mistake 4: Confusing “was taking” and “was taken”
Compare:
He was taking photographs.
He was performing the action.
He was taken to the hospital.
Someone else transported him.
The first is active continuous.
The second is passive.
Mistake 5: Writing “I am taken a break”
❌ I am taken a break.
Correct:
✅ I am taking a break.
But:
✅ I have taken a break.
Both are possible, but the tense changes.
Mistake 6: Using “taken” when “took” is required
❌ She taken my book yesterday.
Correct:
✅ She took my book yesterday.
Remember that taken normally needs a helping verb when it functions as the past participle.
A Simple Formula for Choosing the Correct Form
When you are unsure about taken vs taking, look at the word before it.
Use “taken” after:
have + taken
- I have taken it.
has + taken
- She has taken it.
had + taken
- They had taken it.
be + taken in passive structures
- It was taken away.
Use “taking” after:
am + taking
- I am taking it.
is + taking
- She is taking it.
are + taking
- They are taking it.
was + taking
- He was taking it.
were + taking
- We were taking it.
You can often solve the problem simply by identifying the auxiliary verb.
What About “Took”?
A complete explanation of taken vs taking should also include took, because learners often confuse all three forms.
The verb forms are:
take → took → taken → taking
Here is the basic difference:
| Form | Grammar | Example |
|---|---|---|
| take | Base/present | I take the train. |
| took | Simple past | I took the train. |
| taken | Past participle | I have taken the train. |
| taking | Present participle/gerund | I am taking the train. |
This gives you a useful four-part pattern:
I take.
I took.
I have taken.
I am taking.
Once you understand this pattern, many questions about take become much easier.
Are Taken and Taking Interchangeable?
No.
They are different verb forms and normally cannot be substituted for one another.
Compare:
- She has taken the book.
- She is taking the book.
The first uses the present perfect and indicates a completed action or an action with present relevance.
The second uses the present continuous and presents the action as ongoing or developing.
Likewise:
- The photograph was taken yesterday.
- The photographer was taking pictures yesterday.
The first is passive.
The second is active and continuous.
Does “Taken” Always Refer to the Past?
Not necessarily.
This is an important point.
Although taken is called a past participle, the word itself does not automatically mean that something happened in the past.
For example:
The photograph has been taken.
This uses the present perfect passive and connects the completed action to the present.
Another example:
The photograph is taken by a professional photographer.
Here, taken appears in a present-tense passive construction describing a general process.
So past participle is a grammatical name. It does not mean that the word independently expresses past time.
Does “Taking” Always Mean “Happening Now”?
No.
Although taking commonly appears in continuous tenses, it does not always mean an action happening at this exact moment.
For example:
I am taking an English course this semester.
The course may not be happening at the exact second the sentence is spoken. The present continuous describes a temporary situation around the current period.
And:
Taking notes can improve your memory.
Here, taking is a gerund. It does not mean that someone is taking notes right now.
Pronunciation: Taken vs Taking
The two words also have different pronunciations.
Taken
taken → /ˈteɪkən/
It has two syllables:
TAY-kuhn
The second vowel is generally weak.
Taking
taking → /ˈteɪkɪŋ/
It also has two syllables:
TAY-king
The final -ing sound is pronounced /ɪŋ/ in standard English.
The pronunciation difference is easy to hear because taken ends with an unstressed -ən sound, while taking ends with the -ing sound.
US vs UK English
There is no major US-versus-UK difference in the basic grammatical distinction between taken and taking.
American and British English both use:
- have taken
- has taken
- had taken
- am taking
- is taking
- are taking
- was taking
- were taking
The same basic rules apply.
Regional differences may occur elsewhere in expressions involving take, but the fundamental distinction between the past participle taken and the -ing form taking remains the same.
Formal vs Informal English
Neither taken nor taking is inherently formal or informal.
Both are normal in:
- casual conversation
- text messages
- emails
- business writing
- academic writing
- journalism
- formal documents
The surrounding expression determines the tone.
For example:
Casual:
I’m taking the bus.
Professional:
We are taking the necessary steps to address the issue.
The verb form itself is not what makes the second sentence more formal.
Memory Tricks for Taken vs Taking
Memory Trick 1: Have → Taken
Remember:
Have TAKEN
- have taken
- has taken
- had taken
If you see have, has, or had, think taken.
Memory Trick 2: Be + Action in Progress → Taking
If am/is/are/was/were is showing an action in progress, think:
be + taking
- am taking
- is taking
- are taking
- was taking
- were taking
Memory Trick 3: Three Main Forms
Memorize this sequence:
I take → I took → I have taken → I am taking.
This single pattern shows the relationship among the major forms.
Memory Trick 4: “-ing” Means Activity
When taking describes the activity itself, think of the -ing form as naming the action:
Taking notes is helpful.
The activity is taking notes.
A Fast Decision Test
When writing a sentence, ask these questions:
Question 1: Do I have “have,” “has,” or “had”?
If yes, you probably need taken.
She has taken the test.
Question 2: Is the action happening as an ongoing process?
If yes, you probably need taking.
She is taking the test.
Question 3: Is the sentence passive?
If the subject receives the action, you may need taken.
The test was taken yesterday.
Question 4: Am I talking about the activity itself?
If yes, taking may function as a gerund.
Taking the test was stressful.
Question 5: Am I describing a completed action in the simple past?
If so, neither may be correct. You probably need took.
She took the test yesterday.
This final question prevents a very common mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “taken” or “taking” correct?
Both are correct, but they are different grammatical forms. Taken is the past participle of take, while taking is the present participle or gerund. The correct choice depends on the sentence structure.
Is “I have taken” correct?
Yes. I have taken is the present perfect form of take.
Example:
I have taken the exam.
The structure is have + past participle.
Is “I am taking” correct?
Yes. I am taking is the present continuous form of take.
Example:
I am taking an English class.
The structure is am + present participle.
Is “I have taking” grammatically correct?
No.
The correct form is:
I have taken.
After have, has, or had, use the past participle taken, not taking.
Is “I am taken” correct English?
It can be correct, but the meaning is usually passive.
For example:
I am taken to school by bus.
If you mean that you are performing the action, use:
I am taking the bus.
What is the past tense of “take”?
The simple past is took.
The forms are:
take → took → taken → taking
For example:
I took the train yesterday.
Do not use taken as the simple past.
What is the past participle of “take”?
The past participle is taken.
Examples:
- have taken
- has taken
- had taken
- was taken
- were taken
Is “taking” a verb or a noun?
It can function in different ways. In She is taking notes, it is a present participle forming part of a verb phrase. In Taking notes is useful, it functions as a gerund, which behaves like a noun.
Are “taken” and “taking” interchangeable?
No. They have different grammatical functions.
She has taken the book.
is different from:
She is taking the book.
The first uses the past participle; the second uses the present participle.
Final Verdict: taken vs taking
The difference between taken vs taking is primarily grammatical, not a matter of one word being correct and the other being incorrect.
Taken is the past participle of take. Use it especially with have, has, or had, and in passive constructions.
- I have taken the test.
- She has taken my seat.
- The photograph was taken yesterday.
Taking is the present participle/-ing form of take. Use it mainly with forms of be for continuous tenses or as a gerund.
- I am taking the test.
- She is taking my seat.
- Taking notes is helpful.
And remember the third form that often causes confusion:
take → took → taken → taking
So the best practice is simple:
Use “taken” when the sentence needs a past participle. Use “taking” when it needs an -ing form. Use “took” for the simple past.
Once you identify the tense and grammatical structure, choosing between taken and taking becomes much easier.
