Phrasal verbs "hem in" vs "take in"

Differences between hem in and take in

Hem in means to surround or enclose someone or something, while take in means to understand or comprehend something.

Meanings and Definitions: hem in vs take in

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Hem in

  • 1To surround or confine someone or something.

    A white van hemmed me in.

  • 2To restrict or confine someone or something.

    Don’t hem in your child with endless restrictions.

Take in

  • 1Absorb information.

    The lecture was rather boring and I didn't TAKE IN much of what the lecturer said.

  • 2Deceive.

    She TOOK me IN with her story until someone told me the truth.

  • 3Make clothes smaller.

    The jacket was far too big around the shoulders, so I had it TAKEN IN so that I could wear it.

  • 4Assume care or support.

    The family TOOK IN the three homeless kittens.

Usage Examples: hem in, take in in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

hem in

Example

The tall bushes hem in the small garden.

Example

The fence hems in the animals to keep them safe.

take in

Example

I always take in new information when I read a good book.

Example

She takes in the information from the lecture quickly.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Hem in

To surround or form a circle around someone or something.

Example

The police encircled the building to prevent the suspect from escaping.

To confine or restrict someone or something's movement or freedom.

Example

The animal was trapped in a cage and couldn't escape.

To enclose or encompass someone or something on all sides.

Example

The garden was surrounded by a tall fence to keep animals out.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Take in

To understand or comprehend a specific idea or concept.

Example

After reading the article a few times, she finally grasped the concept of quantum physics.

To mentally understand or accept something challenging or complex.

Example

It took him a while to wrap his mind around the complexity of the new software program.

get the hang of

To learn or become accustomed to doing something skillful or complex.

Example

With practice, she started to get the hang of playing the guitar and even wrote her first song.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “in”

Differences in hem in vs take in: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: hem in or take in?

In daily conversation, people use take in more often than hem in. This is because take in is a more common phrasal verb that can be used in various contexts. Hem in is not used as much and is more specific to situations where someone or something is being surrounded or enclosed.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of hem in and take in

Take in and hem in are both informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of hem in and take in

The tone of hem in and take in can differ based on context. Hem in often carries a negative or restrictive tone when referring to someone or something being surrounded or confined, while take in typically has a neutral or positive tone, especially when related to understanding or comprehending something.

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