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 took a nap vs I was taking a nap

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I took a nap' is used to describe a completed action in the past. 'I was taking a nap' is used to describe an ongoing action in the past. The choice between the two depends on whether you want to emphasize the completion of the nap or the ongoing nature of the nap.

Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: June 11, 2024 • 2679 views

I took a nap

This phrase is correct and commonly used to describe a completed action of taking a nap in the past.

This phrase is used to indicate that you took a nap at a specific point in the past and the action is completed.

Examples:

I took a nap after lunch yesterday.
She took a nap before the party.
He took a nap to recharge his energy.

Show examples from the web [+]

Or when I took a nap on that couch near the Dumpster.
Shepherd didn't need me, So I took a nap in the research library.
I took a nap after helping Zoe with her homework because I had a headache.
You know, I took a nap.
You know, I took a nap.
I took a nap in the church at the rotary.
After lunch I took a nap."
I took a nap.
I took a nap.
I took a nap.
So I took a nap on the tree.
I took a nap by the stream.
First, I took a nap.
I took a nap, and I heard somebody calling my name.
I took a nap in the afternoon, and when I woke up, Barry was gone.
It's funny, but today when I took a nap - I was dreaming of you in a...
I went home and I took a nap, and...
Found nothing, so I took a nap.
Dre, I took a nap in a wheelchair at work, and they tagged me as a psych patient.
It is a sea turtle for the first time in the small that was in Palau. I seem to be somewhat sleepy whether I took a nap.

Alternatives:

I napped
I slept for a while
I dozed off

I was taking a nap

This phrase is correct and commonly used to describe an ongoing action of taking a nap in the past.

This phrase is used to indicate that you were in the process of taking a nap at a specific point in the past.

Examples:

I was taking a nap when you called.
She was taking a nap while it was raining outside.
He was taking a nap because he felt tired.

Show examples from the web [+]

I was taking a nap, actually.
I was... I was taking a nap.
I was taking a nap in the back seat.
Sorry about that, I was taking a nap.
I was tired. I was taking a nap.
I was taking a nap
I was taking a nap.
I was taking a nap.
I was taking a nap...
I was taking a nap.
I was taking a nap.
I was taking a nap, and I guess it was 1:30, 2:00 in the afternoon.
Didn't somebody drop by while I was taking a nap?
I WAS TAKING A NAP. SINCE WHEN DO YOU TAKE NAPS IN THAT POSITION?

Alternatives:

I was napping
I was asleep
I was dozing off

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!