"have taken" vs "have been taken"

Question

"have taken" vs "have been taken"

Both "have been taken" and "have taken" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Have been taken" is passive voice, indicating that something has been done to the subject, while "have taken" is active voice, indicating that the subject performed the action.

Last Updated: March 24, 2024

This phrase is used when you want to emphasize that the subject performed the action. For example, 'I have taken my medicine.'

Examples:

I have taken the necessary steps.
She has taken the lead in the project.
He has taken the opportunity to learn a new skill.
They have taken the initiative to solve the problem.
We have taken the decision to move forward.

Alternatives:

have completed
have chosen
have seized
have grabbed
have acquired

This phrase is used when you want to emphasize that something has been done to the subject. For example, 'The documents have been taken by the authorities.'

Examples:

The medicine has been taken.
The decision has been taken by the committee.
The opportunity has been taken by someone else.
The car keys have been taken by my brother.
The necessary precautions have been taken.

Alternatives:

have been received
have been confiscated
have been removed
have been stolen
have been borrowed

Answer 1

have taken

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is in the active voice, indicating that the subject performed the action.

Answer 2

have been taken

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is in the passive voice, indicating that something has been done to the subject.

"have taken" vs "have been taken"

have taken

have been taken

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