He took a stance vs He took on a stance

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'He took a stance' is the more common and concise way to express that someone adopted a particular position or attitude. On the other hand, 'he took on a stance' implies that the person assumed or accepted a stance, possibly in response to a situation or challenge.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 947 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"He took a stance"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone has adopted a particular position, attitude, or opinion on a certain issue or topic.

Examples:

In the debate, he took a stance against the proposed policy.
She took a stance on environmental conservation.
It's important to take a stance on social justice.
He took a clear stance on the matter.
She took a neutral stance in the argument.

Show examples from the web [+]

Wherever he took a stance against the new manifestations of western European isolationism, which mainly lurk behind financial issues, he deserved and he had our support.
His voice got deeper, his shoulders straightened, he took a masculine stance.
He too took a clear stance and said there is no legal basis for this so-called Committee of Wise Men.
You always immediately took a stance in situations in which people's lives were under threat.
Naturally, we would all have liked to see a peaceful outcome to the impasse but the fact that the government took a stance against radical extremism is important.
It is high time we took a stance on an issue that is an economic priority and continues to give rise to some doubt and disquiet among the general public.
The Presidency immediately took a stance on the events in Belarus, and issued a statement on the subject as early as Monday, 20 March, at the General Affairs Council.
Last year, the European Parliament took a negative stance on this.
We took a firm stance at Copenhagen.
Two Member States, Luxembourg and Austria took a courageous stance.
Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, first of all, I would like to congratulate Mr Bösch on the report and express my appreciation of the firm stance he took towards those directly and politically responsible for the fraud who have been charged.
It was a good thing that our Parliament took a clear stance on these abuses and thus, even if against the wishes of some of its Members, opted for life.
It is a fact that banks throughout the euro area took a reserved stance before the implementation of the Directive on cross-border retail payments.
Let me also remind you that the European Parliament took a strong stance a few months ago on this dossier, allocating the first EUR 75 million in the 2010 budget.
The European Union took a very reasonable stance in these negotiations and behaved generously towards less-developed countries.
In its judgment the German court took a very critical stance towards the EU's federalising tendency and the resulting democratic deficit in the Union.
We already started this discussion last autumn, when the Commission took a very positive stance on decentralisation, which it said it wanted and was prepared to implement.
Mr Kouchner took a firm stance, condemning the Russian unilateral action and explaining the decision to suspend EU talks with Russia on a new partnership agreement until Moscow withdraws its troops from Georgia.
With respect to the latter, the Presidency and the High Representative in their respective statements of 8 November 2006 took a clear stance in no uncertain terms.
Mr President, in the spring, the Council took a clear stance in favour of the Stability and Growth Pact.

Alternatives:

He adopted a stance
He assumed a stance
He embraced a stance
He maintained a stance
He stood by a stance

This phrase is correct but less common than 'he took a stance.'

"He took on a stance"

This phrase implies that someone has assumed or accepted a stance, possibly in response to a situation or challenge.

Examples:

He took on a defensive stance during the argument.
She took on a more aggressive stance in negotiations.
The team took on a united stance against the rival.
He took on a leadership stance in the project.
She took on a different stance after hearing the new information.

Show examples from the web [+]

Wherever he took a stance against the new manifestations of western European isolationism, which mainly lurk behind financial issues, he deserved and he had our support.
His voice got deeper, his shoulders straightened, he took a masculine stance.
You always immediately took a stance in situations in which people's lives were under threat.
Naturally, we would all have liked to see a peaceful outcome to the impasse but the fact that the government took a stance against radical extremism is important.
It is high time we took a stance on an issue that is an economic priority and continues to give rise to some doubt and disquiet among the general public.
Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, first of all, I would like to congratulate Mr Bösch on the report and express my appreciation of the firm stance he took towards those directly and politically responsible for the fraud who have been charged.
He too took a clear stance and said there is no legal basis for this so-called Committee of Wise Men.
The Presidency immediately took a stance on the events in Belarus, and issued a statement on the subject as early as Monday, 20 March, at the General Affairs Council.
Last year, the European Parliament took a negative stance on this.
We took a firm stance at Copenhagen.
Two Member States, Luxembourg and Austria took a courageous stance.
He took on a world that was bleak and morally corrupt.
I heard he took on three.
And there, he took on the name Richter.
Donovan turned hero after he took on management then mysteriously disappeared.
He took on eight of them.
It was a good thing that our Parliament took a clear stance on these abuses and thus, even if against the wishes of some of its Members, opted for life.
It is a fact that banks throughout the euro area took a reserved stance before the implementation of the Directive on cross-border retail payments.
Let me also remind you that the European Parliament took a strong stance a few months ago on this dossier, allocating the first EUR 75 million in the 2010 budget.
There was some controversy over whether the stance you took was necessarily correct.

Alternatives:

He adopted a stance
He assumed a stance
He embraced a stance
He maintained a stance
He stood by a stance

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He took a stance vs He took on a stance

"He took a stance"

"He took on a stance"

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