we have taken vs we took

Both "we have taken" and "we took" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "We have taken" is in the present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present. On the other hand, "we took" is in the simple past tense, referring to a completed action in the past.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1595 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in the present perfect tense.

"we have taken "

Use "we have taken" when you want to express an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present. It is formed with the present tense of "have" (have/has) and the past participle of the main verb (taken).

Examples:

We have taken the necessary steps to address the issue.
They have taken the lead in organizing the event.
I have taken my medication as prescribed.

Show examples from the web [+]

Now he says that we have taken his land.
What is important, is that we have taken over the plane.
This week we have taken a great step closer to a reunited Europe.
In that sense, then, we have taken a step backwards.
In the disputes surrounding the financial arrangements, we have taken sound initiatives.
I therefore think we have taken a balanced approach on this issue.
Nonetheless, we have taken note of Parliament's requests.
Otherwise, we have taken all measures to support agriculture as always.
I believe that the measures that we have taken are sufficient.
Mr President, we have taken another step towards European integration.
In this respect we have taken a giant step forward.
I believe we have taken a great step forward with this Treaty.
The main thing is that we have taken note of your presence.
I believe that we have taken a significant step forward in the process of democratising the European Union.
Second, we have taken a very major step in staff policy.
As the honourable Member knows, we have taken a number of tough measures in relation to the regime covering issues like visas and assets.
With the conciliation we have achieved, we have taken a welcome step in that direction.
But in any case I want to say that we have taken careful note of all the amendments that were tabled.
However, I can assure you that we have taken good note of your proposals and shall take proper account of them.
On the establishment of a common European asylum system, we have taken very important steps at these last two formal Councils of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers.

Alternatives:

We have completed
We have chosen
We have decided
We have achieved
We have received

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in the simple past tense.

"we took"

Use "we took" when you want to refer to a specific action that was completed in the past. It is formed with the simple past form of the verb "take" (took).

Examples:

We took a break after working for hours.
They took the opportunity to visit the museum.
I took the last piece of cake.

Show examples from the web [+]

In both cases we took the decisions needed.
Walter, nothing can make up for the lives we took.
Last night, we took the first steps along this path.
I can't even remember the last time we took a family vacation.
It's about the blood sample we took at the clinic.
There's a reason that we took the float into the Sector today.
No, we took a cab.
Was among the things we took from the Professor's study.
That's why we took their limo.
So we took 30% off the top.
And we took the children to see The Music Man with Robert Preston.
The file we took from Clarenbach needs to be processed first.
That's more than twice what we took.
You know, we took a pretty hard fall.
No one was here when we took the door.
Now, look... we took a class picture this morning.
Yes, and we took him to a neurologist.
Yesterday we took a decisive step in bringing those responsible to justice.
Look, we took one of them prisoner.
Only the ones we took, have prevented the disaster.

Alternatives:

We grabbed
We seized
We acquired
We obtained
We secured

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we have taken vs we took

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