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Phrasal verbs "take in" vs "take on"

Differences between take in and take on

Take in usually means to understand or comprehend something, while take on generally means to undertake a task or responsibility.

Meanings and Definitions: take in vs take on

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

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.

Take on

  • 1Allow passengers on a ship or plane.

    The plane stopped at Zurich to TAKE ON some passengers.

  • 2Assume a responsibility.

    She TOOK ON the task of indexing the book.

  • 3Employ.

    The council has had to TAKE ON twenty extra employees to handle their increased workload.

Usage Examples: take in, take on in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

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.

take on

Example

I am ready to take on this new project.

Example

She takes on extra work to help her team.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Take in

grasp the concept

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.

catch on

To understand or learn something quickly.

Example

He caught on to the new software program after just a few minutes of training.

make sense of

To understand or interpret something logically or coherently.

Example

It took her a while to make sense of the complex instructions, but she eventually figured it out.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Take on

shoulder the responsibility

To accept or take on a responsibility or burden.

Example

She decided to shoulder the responsibility of organizing the charity event.

undertake a task

To begin or commit to a task or project.

Example

He decided to undertake the task of renovating the old house himself.

assume a role

To take on a specific position or responsibility.

Example

She was asked to assume the role of team leader for the upcoming project.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “in”

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

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

Frequency in Daily Use: take in or take on?

In daily conversation, people use take on more often than take in. This is because take on is used for more daily tasks and routines such as accepting a job or responsibility. Take in is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about understanding something. So, while both phrases are used, take on is more common in everyday conversation.

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

Take in and take on are 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 in and take on

The tone of take in and take on can differ based on context. Take in often carries a thoughtful or surprised tone when related to understanding, while take on typically has a confident and determined tone, especially when referring to taking on a challenge or responsibility.

take in & take on: Synonyms and Antonyms

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