TextRanch

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

I had a look vs I took a look

Each of these phrases is correct; "I took a look" sounds a little more proactive than "I had a look."

Explained by Kay
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: December 10, 2017 • 103000 views

I had a look

This phrase is correct.

This phrase, which is in the past tense, might be used when discussing something that you were investigating.

Some examples from our editors:

I had a look at the system; I think something is malfunctioning.
I had a look at your sink; it is very clogged up.

Show examples from the web [+]

Feb 7, 2013 ... I had a look to the website... Does the difference really matters? Because each time I have to use one or the other form, a lot of questions come ...
Apr 27, 2011 ... I'd say both are the same, even in past tense they both mean the same I had a look at your document v I took a look at your document. Let's see ...
Definition of looknoun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and ...
6 days ago ... look meaning, definition, what is look: to direct your eyes in order to see: . Learn more.

Some alternatives from our editors:

I took a look
I examined
I investigated
I looked

I took a look

This phrase is correct.

Use this phrase when talking about something you were checking out or investigating.

Some examples from our editors:

I took a look at your electrical wiring; someone definitely did some work without a permit.
I took a look at the architect's rendering.

Show examples from the web [+]

Apr 27, 2011 ... I'd say both are the same, even in past tense they both mean the same I had a look at your document v I took a look at your document. Let's see ...
Jun 25, 2014 ... Instead of "check the files again", can I use "I have taken a look at the files" or "I took a look at the files"? Do those have some differences?
May 30, 2015 ... [–]AhrmiintheUnseenTristam 96 points97 points98 points 3 days ago (1 child). I took a look at ... comments on Youtube. Well that was your first ...
I took a look inside your bedroom door. You looked so good lying on your bed. Well, I asked you if wanted any rhythm and love. You said you wanna rock'n'roll ...

Some alternatives from our editors:

I had a look
I looked
I examined
I investigated

Related Comparisons

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices
Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times
Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors
Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service
We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!