i took up vs i took up a

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I took up' is used when referring to starting a new activity or hobby without specifying what it is. 'I took up a' is used when specifying the activity or hobby that was started.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 735 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to starting a new activity or hobby without specifying what it is.

"i took up"

This phrase is used when someone wants to express that they have started a new activity or hobby. It is often followed by the name of the activity or hobby.

Examples:

I took up painting last year.
She took up yoga to improve her flexibility.
He took up running as a way to stay fit.

Show examples from the web [+]

Simultaneously I took up the responsibility of the performance audit on the effectiveness of EU development aid for food security in sub-Saharan Africa.
Madam President, since I took up this post I have also participated with the Presidency of the Council and Commissioner Patten in various meetings of the troika.
I took up the case when these cigars were impounded.
I did not realize until I took up this brief just how complex motor vehicles can be.
Ladies and gentlemen, since I took up my post, I have always tried to speak frankly, clearly and respectfully to the Members of this Parliament.
I took up my duties as Ombudsman on 1 April 2003, following the retirement of the first Ombudsman, Mr Jacob Söderman.
Probably there were things that could have been done better in the past, but since I took up office, I have really tried to deal with this in a very transparent and thorough way.
I have said since the time that I took up this position that it was my intention to make decisions on a science basis, examining the best scientific evidence available to me and making my decision on that basis.
Mr President, I have been a Romania-watcher for five years now, ever since I took up the case of a London constituent of mine, Prince Carol Mircea.
I have said since I took up office that I want to see the emergence of a modern, effective and streamlined service, working as an integral part of the external relations structures of the Commission, and at the service of all the institutions of the Union.
There was no warning when I took up smoking.
That's why I took up the motorcycle.
That's why I took up medicine.
I took up the shift for Ellen.
I took up with your mother for a reason.
It all started when I took up badminton.
At this time I took up walking again.
So I took up the respectable life of a sleazy barkeep.
That's exactly why I took up photography.
I took up over 50 dead bodies.

Alternatives:

I started
I began
I picked up

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when specifying the activity or hobby that was started.

"i took up a"

This phrase is used when someone wants to express that they have started a specific new activity or hobby. It is followed by the name of the activity or hobby.

Examples:

I took up a new language.
She took up a musical instrument.
He took up a new sport.

Show examples from the web [+]

Then one day, I took up a broken switch, and I rammed it in my teacher's eyeball.
I took up a lot of your time.
I finally took up a hobby.
After starving a while, I took up with a swindler, name of Allardyce T Meriweather.
So I took up with a young dandy named Rodginald.
I took her up a cup of tea before I left.
I took him up a hard copy of the polling numbers.
I took it back up a few years ago.
I know that took up a lot of your time.
I took too long stitching up a hernia.
I took up my work without a moment's rest... but my mind was focused only on one object.
So to get him off my back, I took up this job as a telephone solicitor... for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Well, I just took up writing a short while ago.
I took a bus up from Kingston.
Mr President, I have been a Romania-watcher for five years now, ever since I took up the case of a London constituent of mine, Prince Carol Mircea.
not long after I arrived in India, I took up with a girl... an Indian girl.
Last May I took a trip up to Alaska to go grizzly hunting.
Last May I took a trip up to Alaska to go grizzly hunting. and I was 130 miles north of the Arctic Circle on horseback for two weeks.
I woke up, took a shower.
There was no warning when I took up smoking.

Alternatives:

I started doing
I began practicing
I picked up a

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i took up vs i took up a

"i took up"

"i took up a"

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