Differences between take after and take for

Take after means to resemble or have similar qualities to someone in your family, while take for means to mistake someone or something for someone or something else.

Meanings and Definitions: take after vs take for

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Take after

1Look like, resemble.
He TAKES AFTER his mother.

Take for

1To consider or believe someone or something to be a certain way, often mistakenly or unfairly.
Do you take me for a complete idiot?
2Mistake someone or something for someone or something else.
She looks so young I took her for your sister.

Usage Examples: take after, take for in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

take after

Example

She takes after her father in her love for sports.

Example

He takes after his mother in appearance.

take for

Example

Do you take me for a complete idiot?

Example

He takes her for granted.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Take after

resemble

To look or behave like someone else, especially a family member.

Example

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

inherit traits

To receive physical or personality traits from one's family members.

Example

He inherited his father's sense of humor and often makes his friends laugh with witty jokes.

have a family resemblance

To share physical features or characteristics with other members of one's family.

Example

All the siblings have a family resemblance, with their bright blue eyes and curly hair.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Take for

mistake for

To wrongly identify someone or something as someone or something else.

Example

I mistook her for my sister and hugged her before realizing my mistake.

confuse with

To mix up two or more people or things that are similar.

Example

I always confuse the twins with each other because they look so alike.

mix up

To confuse or interchange two or more people or things.

Example

I mixed up the dates and missed the important meeting with my boss.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “take”

Phrasal Verbs with “after”

Phrasal Verbs with “for”

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

Frequency in Daily Use: take after or take for?

In daily conversation, people use take after more often than take for. This is because take after is used to describe physical or personality traits that are inherited from family members, which is a common topic in conversations. On the other hand, take for is not used as much in everyday conversation, but it can be useful in situations where someone is mistaken for someone else.

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

Take after and take for 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 take after and take for

The tone of take after and take for can differ based on context. Take after often carries a positive or neutral tone when describing similarities between family members, while take for typically has a negative or embarrassed tone, especially when referring to mistaking someone for someone else.

take after & take for: Synonyms and Antonyms

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

Take for

Synonyms

Antonyms