Phrasal verbs "be after" vs "take after"

Differences between be after and take after

Be after means to be pursuing or looking for something, while take after means to resemble or have similar traits to someone, usually a family member.

Meanings and Definitions: be after vs take after

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Be after

• 1. Try to find or get.

  The police ARE AFTER him because of the theft.

Take after

• 1. Look like, resemble.

  He TAKES AFTER his mother.

Usage Examples: be after, take after in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

be after

Example

I am after a new job in the city.

Example

She is after the perfect dress for the party.

take after

Example

She takes after her father in her love for sports.

Example

He takes after his mother in appearance.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Be after

chase after

To pursue or try to obtain something, often with great effort.

Example

He's been chasing after his dream of becoming a professional athlete since he was a child.

go after

To pursue or try to obtain something, often with determination or ambition.

Example

She's not afraid to go after what she wants, even if it means taking risks.

hunt for

To search or look for something, often with persistence or urgency.

Example

He spent the whole day hunting for his lost keys, but couldn't find them anywhere.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Take after

resemble

To have a similar appearance or character to someone else.

Example

She resembles her mother so much that people often mistake them for sisters.

inherit traits from

To have certain qualities or characteristics that are passed down from one's family members.

Example

He inherited his artistic talent from his grandmother, who was a famous painter.

have a likeness to

To share similarities or commonalities with someone else.

Example

The two brothers have a likeness to each other, not only in appearance but also in their sense of humor.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “be”

• be on
• be up to
• be down
• be onto
• be out to

Phrasal Verbs with “take”

• take apart
• take it
• take up with
• take up
• take through

Phrasal Verbs with “after”

• hanker after
• get after
• run after
• ask after
• go after

Differences in be after vs take after: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: be after or take after?

In daily conversation, people use take after more often than be after. This is because take after is used to describe physical or personality similarities between family members, which is a common topic in everyday conversations. Be after is less common and is mainly used when talking about pursuing something specific.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of be after and take after

Be after and take after are both informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, take after can also be used in more formal settings like interviews or presentations to describe similarities between individuals.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of be after and take after

The tone of be after and take after can differ based on context. Be after often carries a determined or ambitious tone when related to pursuing something, while take after typically has a curious or admiring tone, especially when referring to physical or personality similarities.

be after & take after: Synonyms and Antonyms

Be after

Synonyms

• pursue
• seek
• chase
• hunt
• desire
• want
• search for
• look for

Antonyms

• ignore
• avoid
• neglect
• abandon
• disregard
• overlook

Take after

Synonyms

• resemble
• mirror
• look like
• inherit traits from
• be similar to
• follow in the footsteps of

Antonyms

• differ from
• contrast with
• deviate from
• be unlike
• be dissimilar to