Has taken vs Had taken

The phrases 'has taken' and 'had taken' are both correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Has taken' is used for actions that started in the past and are still relevant in the present, while 'had taken' is used for actions that were completed before a certain point in the past.

Last updated: April 07, 2024 • 2417 views

Has taken

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Use 'has taken' when referring to actions that started in the past and are still relevant in the present. It is used in present perfect tense.

Examples:

She has taken the exam already.
He has taken up a new hobby.

Show examples from the web [+]

The one who's been waiting Has taken the lead
Has taken note of the efforts made by the Ombudsman to stabilise the growth of its budget and in particular of the establishment plan in 2007; expects this stability to be maintained in 2008;
SeaHelp expects, that this Bill, to the Ministry of Finance for the first time binding in writing (official statement 050-01/13-01/176) Has taken a position, so also adopted a law in June.
The problem of obesity and diet-related diseases has taken dramatic proportions worldwide.
Has taken a restrictive approach on increases asked on other lines and asks the Supervisor to manage those needs internally, within existing budgets;
Jack Bauer has taken Russian Consul Markov hostage.
Katherine has taken over my body.
The cartel has taken over ewing global.
The Presidency has taken note to act accordingly.
Obesity has taken on epidemic proportions.
Canada has taken action following the nuclear accident in Japan.
Discover an eerie universe where technology has taken over.
Avijjā (ignorance) has taken control.
A hostile force has taken control of our vessel.
At least no one else has taken this drug.
The Ori ship has taken flight.
Easy Dillon has taken control of this game.
He has taken our money but used it against us.
The President is said to be furious that Great Britain has taken unilateral action...
Why, only now, this gentleman has taken our last room.

Alternatives:

has been taking
took
has completed
has accomplished
has acquired

Had taken

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Use 'had taken' when referring to actions that were completed before a certain point in the past. It is used in past perfect tense.

Examples:

She had taken the medicine before the doctor arrived.
He had taken the course before he got the job.

Show examples from the web [+]

Evil had taken control and innocent soldiers suffered.
I'm happy that Foster had taken all the photographs.
She was so sure Bella had taken her lad.
They believed that Satan had taken control of the papacy.
I felt that my predecessor had taken too many liberties with regulations.
Something evil had taken possession of the town.
He had taken every precaution to protect his wife.
She had taken an overdose of sleeping pills.
Someone knew that she had taken these.
He told us his employer had taken note.
He had taken him from his dorm room.
You told me Mia had taken a couple of pills.
Say we knew he had taken something, hypothetically.
He had taken the last one.
The killer had taken another victim, a cheerleader my age.
Had taken the country, and killed Antiochus, and Lysias his protector.
If Leonard or Lucien had taken charge...
By late 2006, Goldman had taken things a step further.
Kanjar Ro had taken it somewhere.
I thought we had taken that out.

Alternatives:

had been taking
had completed
had accomplished
had acquired
had seized

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