Taken vs taking can look similar, but these two words perform very different grammatical jobs. Both come from the verb take, yet they belong to different verb forms and are used in different sentence structures.
Understanding taken vs taking becomes much easier when you focus on one simple question: Are you describing an action in progress, or an action that has been completed or experienced?
The word taking is usually the present participle of take. It commonly appears with forms of be to describe an action happening now or around a particular time.
The word taken is the past participle of take. It is commonly used with forms of have or in the passive voice with forms of be.
Let’s make this concrete.
Consider these two sentences:
- She is taking a photograph.
- She has taken a photograph.
In the first sentence, the action is happening. In the second, the action has already happened.
The distinction matters because choosing taken when you need taking, or vice versa, can make a sentence grammatically incorrect or change its meaning.
The Core Rule Explained Simply
The easiest way to understand taken vs taking is to connect each word with its grammatical role.
Taking generally describes an action that is happening, continuing, or being performed.
Taken generally describes an action that has already happened, especially when used with have, or an action received by a subject in a passive construction.
The basic forms of the verb take are:
| Verb Form | Word |
| Base form | take |
| Past tense | took |
| Present participle | taking |
| Past participle | taken |
Notice something important: taken is not the simple past tense. The simple past is took.
For example:
- I take the bus every morning.
- I took the bus yesterday.
- I am taking the bus now.
- I have taken the bus many times.
This four-form pattern provides a reliable foundation for understanding the difference.
Taking: The Action in Progress
Taking is the present participle form of take. It is frequently used with am, is, are, was, or were.
Examples include:
- I am taking notes.
- He is taking a shower.
- They are taking a test.
- We were taking pictures.
- She was taking a break.
In these sentences, taking helps express an action that is happening or was happening at a particular time.
It can also function as a gerund, meaning it behaves like a noun:
- Taking notes helps me remember information.
- Taking responsibility requires maturity.
- Taking the train is convenient.
Taken: The Completed or Received Action
Taken is the past participle of take. It commonly appears after have, has, or had.
Examples:
- I have taken the test.
- She has taken several photographs.
- They had taken the wrong road.
- We have taken action.
- He had taken the documents.
Taken also appears in passive constructions:
- The photograph was taken yesterday.
- The money was taken from the drawer.
- Several seats were taken before we arrived.
- The decision was taken after a long discussion.
A useful shortcut is this:
Taking = doing the action.
Taken = having completed or received the action.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Situation | Example | Meaning | Correct Usage |
| Action happening now | She is taking notes. | She is currently writing notes. | Taking |
| Action happening in the past | They were taking pictures. | The picture-taking was in progress. | Taking |
| Completed action | He has taken the test. | The test has already been completed. | Taken |
| Earlier completed action | She had taken the keys. | The action happened before another past event. | Taken |
| Passive action | The photo was taken yesterday. | Someone took the photo. | Taken |
| General activity as a noun | Taking notes is useful. | The activity is being discussed. | Taking |
| Perfect passive | The documents have been taken. | The documents were removed or carried away. | Taken |
| Continuous activity | I am taking a course. | I am currently enrolled in or attending it. | Taking |
| Perfect construction | I have taken this course before. | The experience happened previously. | Taken |
| Passive continuous | The building is being taken down. | The building is currently being demolished. | Taken |
Deep Dive into Taking
When Should You Use Taking?
Use taking when the action is in progress or when take is being used as a gerund.
The most recognizable pattern is:
am/is/are + taking
Examples:
- I am taking a class.
- She is taking a photograph.
- He is taking medicine.
- We are taking the train.
- They are taking a break.
The past continuous pattern works similarly:
was/were + taking
Examples:
- I was taking notes when the teacher entered.
- She was taking a walk when it started raining.
- They were taking pictures during the ceremony.
- We were taking the wrong road when we noticed the sign.
The key idea is that the action is presented as ongoing.
Taking as a Gerund
Sometimes taking does not describe an action happening at a particular moment. Instead, it names an activity.
For example:
- Taking photographs is my favorite hobby.
- Taking risks can produce unexpected results.
- Taking responsibility shows maturity.
- Taking regular breaks can improve concentration.
Here, taking acts like a noun.
You can often test this by asking whether the entire -ing phrase functions as the subject or object of the sentence.
Compare:
Taking notes is helpful.
The phrase taking notes is the subject.
Now compare:
I am taking notes.
Here, taking forms part of the verb phrase and describes an ongoing action.
Taking After Certain Verbs and Expressions
Taking also appears naturally after prepositions and in various fixed expressions.
Examples include:
- She is interested in taking a course.
- He talked about taking a vacation.
- They succeeded by taking a different approach.
- We discussed taking the earlier train.
- I am looking forward to taking the exam.
After a preposition such as in, about, by, or to in these structures, the -ing form is often required.
Quick Test for Taking
Ask yourself these questions:
- Is the action happening or continuing?
- Does the sentence contain am, is, are, was, or were before the verb?
- Is taking being used as the name of an activity?
- Does taking follow a preposition in a structure that requires an -ing form?
If the answer is yes, taking is probably the correct choice.
Try this:
“She is ___ photographs.”
The answer is taking, because the structure is:
is + taking
Now try:
“___ photographs requires patience.”
The answer is again taking, because the activity itself is functioning as the subject.
Deep Dive into Taken
When Should You Use Taken?
Use taken when the sentence requires the past participle of take.
One of the most common patterns is:
have/has + taken
Examples:
- I have taken the exam.
- She has taken my advice.
- He has taken the opportunity.
- They have taken several trips.
- We have taken action.
Another common pattern is:
had + taken
Examples:
- She had taken the keys before leaving.
- They had taken the wrong exit.
- He had taken all the necessary precautions.
In these examples, taken connects with a perfect auxiliary verb.
Taken in the Passive Voice
Taken can also appear in passive constructions.
For example:
- The picture was taken by Sarah.
- The documents were taken to the office.
- The seats have been taken.
- The items had been taken from the room.
The passive voice changes the focus of the sentence.
Active:
“Sarah took the photograph.”
Passive:
“The photograph was taken by Sarah.”
Notice that the passive construction uses was + taken, not was + taking.
Taken Does Not Mean Simple Past
This is one of the most important rules.
Do not write:
“I taken the bus yesterday.”
That sentence is incorrect because taken cannot normally function as the simple past tense by itself.
The correct sentence is:
“I took the bus yesterday.”
But with a perfect construction, taken is correct:
“I have taken the bus many times.”
Therefore:
Yesterday → took
Have/has/had → taken
This distinction prevents many common errors.
Taken in Common Expressions
The word taken appears in numerous everyday expressions.
Examples include:
- taken seriously
- taken care of
- taken away
- taken back
- taken apart
- taken over
- taken into account
- taken by surprise
- taken for granted
- taken place
For example:
“The issue should be taken seriously.”
“She has taken care of the problem.”
“We must take into account the available evidence.”
“The event has taken place already.”
These expressions make taken especially important in formal and everyday English.
The Meaning Shift
The difference between taken and taking is not merely a spelling difference. The choice can change how the reader understands the time, completion, and focus of an action.
Compare:
“She is taking the medicine.”
This suggests that she is currently performing the action of taking the medicine, or that the action is part of an ongoing situation.
Now consider:
“She has taken the medicine.”
This indicates that the action has been completed.
The difference is subtle but meaningful.
Another example:
“They are taking photographs.”
The activity is currently happening.
“They have taken photographs.”
The photographs have already been captured.
Consider one more pair:
“I am taking a course.”
This commonly describes something currently in progress.
“I have taken the course.”
This normally means the course was completed or experienced previously.
The tense structure creates the meaning shift.
Why the Confusion Persists
The confusion around taken vs. taking often comes from the fact that both words originate from the same verb.
English verbs can have several forms, and irregular verbs make the system harder to memorize.
The verb take is particularly challenging because its forms do not follow a regular pattern:
take → took → taken
Learners must also distinguish these from:
taking
The -ing ending often signals an ongoing action, while -en in taken signals the past participle form.
Another source of confusion is that taken and taking can both appear with forms of be, but in different grammatical structures.
Compare:
“She is taking a picture.”
“She is taken seriously.”
In the first sentence, is taking is a continuous active construction.
In the second, is taken is a passive construction.
This is why simply memorizing “is + verb” is not enough. You need to understand the structure that follows the auxiliary verb.
Education can also contribute to the problem. Students sometimes learn verb forms as isolated vocabulary rather than as parts of complete sentence patterns.
Learning take, took, taken, and taking together makes the distinction much easier.
Formal vs Casual Contexts
The grammatical distinction between taken and taking remains the same in both formal and casual English.
However, certain expressions containing these forms are more common in particular settings.
In casual conversation, you may hear:
“I’m taking the bus.”
“She’s taking a break.”
“I’ve taken care of it.”
These expressions are natural and conversational.
In formal writing, you may encounter:
“The committee has taken several factors into consideration.”
“The photographs were taken during the research period.”
“The organization is taking steps to improve its procedures.”
The formal examples often involve longer noun phrases and more precise descriptions.
Academic Context
Academic writing frequently uses taken in passive constructions and perfect forms.
Examples:
“Several measurements were taken during the experiment.”
“Previous studies have taken a different approach.”
“Multiple variables were taken into account.”
Researchers may also use taking to describe ongoing processes:
“The study is taking place across several locations.”
“The researchers are taking additional measurements.”
Workplace Context
Professional communication uses both forms regularly.
Examples:
“The manager has taken responsibility for the decision.”
“We are taking steps to resolve the issue.”
“The required action has been taken.”
“The team is taking a closer look at the data.”
The correct form depends on the grammatical structure, not simply on how formal the sentence sounds.
Case Studies and Pop Culture Examples
Everyday media provides many situations where the distinction becomes obvious.
Imagine a photographer at an event.
During the event, someone might say:
“The photographer is taking pictures.”
The action is currently happening.
After the event, someone could say:
“The photographer has taken hundreds of pictures.”
The action is now viewed as completed.
Consider a movie scene involving a character on a train.
During the journey:
“She is taking the train to London.”
After discussing the completed journey:
“She has taken the train several times.”
The same general activity is being described, but the grammatical viewpoint changes.
Academic examples work in the same way.
A teacher might say:
“The students are taking a test.”
Afterward:
“The students have taken the test.”
The first sentence focuses on the ongoing activity. The second focuses on the completed experience.
The same principle applies to common phrases in news, entertainment, business, and social media.
Advanced Scenarios and Flowchart
Sometimes choosing between taken and taking requires more than recognizing an obvious helping verb.
Use this decision flowchart:
Start with the sentence.
↓
Do you need the verb take?
↓
Is the action presented as ongoing or currently happening?
↓ Yes
Use taking.
Example:
“She is taking notes.”
↓ No
Does the sentence use have, has, or had before the verb?
↓ Yes
Use taken.
Example:
“She has taken notes.”
↓ No
Is the sentence passive, using a form of be + past participle?
↓ Yes
Use taken.
Example:
“The photograph was taken yesterday.”
↓ No
Are you naming an activity with an -ing form?
↓ Yes
Use taking.
Example:
“Taking notes improves memory.”
↓ No
Check whether you actually need the simple past.
If you are describing a completed event at a specific past time, you may need took, not taken.
Example:
“She took the train yesterday.”
This last step is crucial because many learners see a completed action and automatically choose taken. Completion alone does not determine the form. The surrounding grammar does.
Quick Reference Table
| Taking | Taken |
| Present participle | Past participle |
| Often follows am/is/are | Often follows have/has/had |
| Used for ongoing actions | Used for perfect constructions |
| Can function as a gerund | Used in passive constructions |
| “She is taking notes.” | “She has taken notes.” |
| “Taking notes helps.” | “The photo was taken yesterday.” |
Remember the simplest pattern:
am/is/are + taking
was/were + taking
have/has/had + taken
be + taken in passive constructions
Common Mistakes That Lower Quality
Mistake 1: Using Taken as the Simple Past
Incorrect:
“I taken the bus yesterday.”
Correct:
“I took the bus yesterday.”
Taken is the past participle, not the ordinary simple past form.
Mistake 2: Using Taking After Have
Incorrect:
“She has taking the exam.”
Correct:
“She has taken the exam.”
After has, the perfect construction requires the past participle.
Mistake 3: Using Taken for an Ongoing Action
Incorrect:
“He is taken a shower.”
Correct:
“He is taking a shower.”
The structure is + -ing expresses the continuous action.
Mistake 4: Forgetting Passive Voice
Incorrect:
“The picture was taking yesterday.”
Correct:
“The picture was taken yesterday.”
Here, the picture receives the action, so the sentence uses passive voice.
Mistake 5: Assuming Every Completed Action Uses Taken
A completed action does not automatically require taken.
For example:
“She took the exam yesterday.”
The word yesterday establishes a completed past event, so the simple past took is appropriate.
Compare:
“She has taken the exam.”
This uses the present perfect and focuses on the completed experience without specifying a finished past time such as yesterday.
Mistake 6: Ignoring the Auxiliary Verb
The word immediately before the verb often provides an important clue.
Look at:
“They are taking notes.”
“They have taken notes.”
The auxiliary changes from are to have, and the verb form changes with it.
Mistake 7: Confusing Active and Passive Structures
“She is taking the photograph.”
“The photograph is taken by her.”
The first sentence is active and continuous. The second is passive.
Understanding who performs the action and who receives it can make the choice much easier.
Memory Hacks That Actually Work
A few simple memory tricks can make taken vs taking much easier to remember.
Use the “ING = In Progress” Trick
The -ing in taking can remind you of in progress.
When the action is happening or continuing:
taking
Example:
“She is taking notes.”
Think:
ING = In progress.
Use the “Have = Taken” Pattern
Memorize this as a fixed combination:
have + taken
has + taken
had + taken
Examples:
“I have taken it.”
“She has taken it.”
“They had taken it.”
This simple association covers a huge number of everyday sentences.
Remember the Three Main Forms
Say the core sequence aloud:
take → took → taken
Then add:
taking
You now have the essential forms of the verb.
Ask “Is It Happening?”
If the answer is yes, check taking.
“She is taking a photograph.”
The action is happening.
Ask “Has It Happened?”
If the sentence uses have, has, or had, check taken.
“She has taken a photograph.”
The action has happened.
Check for “Yesterday”
Words such as yesterday, last week, last year, two hours ago, and in 2025 often point toward the simple past.
For take, that means took.
Example:
“They took the train yesterday.”
This is a useful reminder that the choice is not simply between taken and taking. Sometimes the correct answer is took.
Why Precision Matters for SEO and Authority
Correct grammar matters when you are creating content intended to appear professional, trustworthy, and authoritative.
Search engines increasingly evaluate content in terms of usefulness, clarity, relevance, and overall quality. Grammar alone does not determine rankings, but poor grammar can weaken the reader’s perception of expertise.
A reader who encounters repeated errors such as “has taking” or “was taking” when the passive form requires “was taken” may question the reliability of the entire page.
Precision also improves readability.
Compare:
“The documents are taking to the office.”
“The documents are being taken to the office.”
The second sentence clearly communicates the intended passive meaning.
Correct verb forms reduce ambiguity and help readers process information quickly.
For educational websites, grammar accuracy is even more important. A page explaining taken vs taking must model the very grammar it teaches.
Using the correct form consistently helps establish linguistic authority.
It also makes content easier for students, teachers, editors, and language learners to trust.
For SEO-focused content, natural keyword placement matters as well. The phrase taken vs taking should appear where it genuinely helps the reader, rather than being repeated unnaturally.
The goal is simple:
Clear grammar + useful explanations + natural keyword usage = stronger educational content.
A Quick Quiz
Fill in each blank with taken, taking, or, where appropriate, took.
1. She is ______ photographs at the wedding.
2. They have ______ several important steps to solve the problem.
3. I ______ the bus to work yesterday.
4. ______ notes during a lecture can improve your memory.
5. The photograph was ______ during the ceremony.
6. We are ______ a different approach to the project.
7. He had ______ the documents before the meeting began.
8. She has been ______ an online course for several months.
Answer Key
1. taking
“She is taking photographs at the wedding.” The structure is + taking describes an ongoing action.
2. taken
“They have taken several important steps.” The structure have + taken is the present perfect.
3. took
“I took the bus to work yesterday.” The specific finished past time calls for the simple past form took.
4. Taking
“Taking notes during a lecture can improve your memory.” Here, taking notes functions as the subject of the sentence.
5. taken
“The photograph was taken during the ceremony.” This is a passive construction using was + taken.
6. taking
“We are taking a different approach.” The structure is + taking describes an ongoing action.
7. taken
“He had taken the documents before the meeting began.” The structure had + taken is past perfect.
8. taking
“She has been taking an online course for several months.” The structure has been + taking expresses an action continuing over a period of time.
Conclusion
Understanding taken vs taking becomes much easier once you focus on the grammatical structure surrounding each word. Taking is the present participle and commonly describes an action that is happening, continuing, or functioning as a gerund. Taken, on the other hand, is the past participle and usually appears with have, has, or had, or in passive constructions such as was taken. The important point is that these forms cannot be exchanged simply because they both come from the verb take. The auxiliary verb, sentence structure, and intended meaning determine which form belongs in the sentence.
The best way to remember the distinction is to connect each form with a clear pattern. Think am/is/are + taking for an ongoing action, have/has/had + taken for perfect constructions, and be + taken for passive structures. Also remember that took is the simple past form, so a sentence such as “I took the train yesterday” is correct, not “I taken the train yesterday.” Once these patterns become familiar, choosing between taken and taking becomes much more automatic. Accurate verb forms make your writing clearer, more natural, and more credible in both casual and formal contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between taken and taking?
Taking is the present participle form of take and commonly describes an ongoing action, as in “She is taking notes.” Taken is the past participle and is commonly used with have, has, or had, as in “She has taken notes.” It is also used in passive constructions, such as “The photograph was taken yesterday.”
Is taken the past tense of take?
No. Taken is the past participle, while took is the simple past tense of take. For example, “She took the train yesterday” uses the simple past. However, “She has taken the train before” uses the past participle because it follows has. Remember the basic sequence: take, took, taken.
When should I use taking?
Use taking when you are describing an action that is happening or continuing, especially after am, is, are, was, or were. For example, “They are taking pictures” describes an activity currently in progress. Taking can also function as a gerund, as in “Taking notes helps students remember important information.”
When should I use taken?
Use taken when the sentence requires the past participle of take. It commonly follows have, has, or had, as in “I have taken the exam.” It is also used in passive constructions, such as “The photograph was taken yesterday.” The surrounding grammatical structure usually provides the clearest clue.
Is “I am taken” correct English?
Yes, but it does not normally mean the same thing as “I am taking.” I am taking describes an action you are performing, while I am taken is generally passive and means something is being done to you or that you are regarded in a particular way. For example, “I am taken seriously” means other people regard me seriously.
Is “I have taking” grammatically correct?
No. After have or has in a perfect construction, you need the past participle taken, not taking. The correct sentence is “I have taken the test.” Taking would be correct in a continuous structure, such as “I am taking the test.” The auxiliary verb determines the required verb form.
Is “was taking” different from “was taken”?
Yes. Was taking is an active continuous construction and describes someone performing an ongoing action, as in “She was taking photographs.” Was taken is generally passive and means the subject received the action, as in “The photograph was taken by Sarah.” The difference changes both the grammar and the focus of the sentence.
Can taking be used as a noun?
Yes. Taking can function as a gerund, which means an -ing verb form is performing a noun-like role. For example, “Taking notes is useful” uses taking notes as the subject of the sentence. Similarly, “I enjoy taking photographs” uses the phrase as the object of the verb enjoy.
What is the easiest way to remember taken vs taking?
Use two simple associations: taking = action in progress and taken = past participle. Look for patterns such as is taking, are taking, or was taking for ongoing actions. Look for has taken, have taken, had taken, or passive structures such as was taken. Also remember that took is the simple past.
Is “I took” or “I taken” correct?
I took is correct when you are using the simple past tense. For example, “I took the bus yesterday.” Taken requires another grammatical structure, such as “I have taken the bus before.” Therefore, do not choose taken merely because an action happened in the past. The tense and auxiliary verb determine the correct form.
