If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence wondering whether to write “I have taken” or “I am taking,” you’re not alone. Taken vs Taking is one of the most common mix-ups for English learners because both words come from the same base verb, take, yet they belong to completely different grammar structures. This guide breaks down the Taken vs Taking difference in plain language, with clear rules, tables, and real examples so you can use both forms correctly every time.
Taken vs Taking: The Core Difference
The short answer to Taken vs Taking is this: taking is the present participle, used for actions in progress or as a noun (gerund). Taken is the past participle, used for completed actions in perfect tenses and passive voice.
• Taking = happening now, ongoing, or a gerund
• Taken = completed, finished, or passive
• Both come from the irregular verb take, not took
Taken vs Taking Explained Clearly With Grammar Rules
Once you know whether a sentence describes a process or a result, choosing between Taken vs Taking becomes automatic. Look at the helper verb: is/am/are/was/were signal taking, while has/have/had/been signal taken.
Quick Summary of Grammatical Functions
| Word | Type | Used With | Example |
| Taking | Present participle / gerund | is, am, are, was, were | She is taking notes. |
| Taken | Past participle | has, have, had, was, were (passive) | She has taken notes. |
Understanding the Verb “Take”
Meaning of “Take”
Take is an irregular action verb meaning to grab, receive, accept, need, or experience something. It’s one of the most flexible verbs in English, appearing in literal actions and idiomatic phrases alike.
Forms of “Take”
• Base form: take
• Third person singular: takes
• Simple past: took
• Past participle: taken
• Present participle: taking
Take took taken meaning
Take, took, and taken represent three stages of the same action: take is the base form, took is the simple past, and taken is the past participle used with have/has/had or in passive voice.
Take took, taken examples
• I take the bus every morning. (present)
• I took the bus yesterday. (past)
• I have taken the bus before. (past participle)
Taken vs Taking
Understanding Participles and Gerunds
A participle is a verb form used to build tenses or act as an adjective, while a gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun. Taking can be either a present participle or a gerund, while taken only works as a past participle or adjective.
Taken vs taking grammar
Grammatically, the Taken vs Taking choice depends on sentence structure, not meaning. The verb itself doesn’t change meaning — only its role and timing shift.
Taken vs taking past participle
Only taken is a true past participle. Taking never appears after have, has, or had; if you see taking in that position, it’s a grammar mistake.
When to Use “Taking”
“Taking” in Continuous (Progressive) Tenses
Use taking with a form of be to describe an action in progress: They are taking the exam right now.
“Taking” as a Gerund (Noun Form)
As a gerund, taking acts like a noun: Taking risks builds confidence.
Common Expressions with “Taking”
• Taking place (happening now)
• Taking care of (in progress)
• Taking charge / taking the lead
Taken vs taking examples
• She is taking a photo. / The photo was taken yesterday.
Taken vs taking sentences
• We are taking the early flight. / We have taken the early flight before.
Quick Reference Table for “Taking”
| Structure | Example |
| am/is/are + taking | He is taking a break. |
| was/were + taking | They were taking notes. |
| taking (gerund) | Taking breaks improves focus. |
When to Use “Taken”
“Taken” in Perfect Tenses
Use taken after have/has/had to show a completed action: She has taken the test.
“Taken” in the Passive Voice
In passive sentences, taken follows be and shifts focus to the receiver of the action: The package was taken this morning.
Common Expressions with “Taken”
• Taken for granted
• Taken aback
• Taken care of (already done)
• Has taken place (event is over)
Quick Reference Table for “Taken”
| Structure | Example |
| have/has/had + taken | I have taken the exam. |
| was/were/been + taken | The photo was taken at sunset. |
| taken (adjective) | He looked taken aback. |
Common Prepositions Used with Taken and Taking
• Taken by, taken from, taken care of, taken aback by
• Taking care of, taking part in, taking charge of
Active vs. Passive Voice with Taken and Taking
Active: She is taking the lead. Passive: The lead has been taken by her. Notice how Taken vs Taking shifts the sentence’s focus from doer to result.
Comparing “Taken” vs “Taking”
Common Confusions
Many learners mix up Taken vs Taking for the same reason they confuse other close verb pairs — see our guide on putting vs puting for a similar spelling-versus-grammar mix-up.
Tricky Pairs Explained
| Phrase A | Meaning | Phrase B | Meaning |
| Taking place | Happening now/future | Taken place | Already happened |
| Taking care of | In progress | Taken care of | Already handled |
Real English in Action
Take past tense sentences
• She took the last train home.
• They took a wrong turn on the highway.
• He took full responsibility for the error.
Quick Grammar Hacks to Remember
• If you see have/has/had, choose taken.
• If you see am/is/are/was/were describing an action, choose taking.
• If the word acts as a noun, it’s taking (gerund).
• If the subject receives the action, it’s taken (passive).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even confident writers slip up on Taken vs Taking, often alongside other confusable pairs like even though vs eventhough. Watch for these errors:
• ❌ I have taking the exam. → ✅ I have taken the exam.
• ❌ She is taken notes. → ✅ She is taking notes.
• ❌ The photo is taken right now. → ✅ The photo is being taken right now.
Examples Section: Taken vs Taking in Sentences
| Taking (in progress) | Taken (completed/passive) |
| He is taking driving lessons. | He has taken driving lessons before. |
| They are taking the survey now. | The survey has been taken by 500 people. |
| I’m taking a short break. | A short break was taken at noon. |
Self Assessment: Test Yourself
Taken vs taking exercises
1. She has already ______ the medicine. (take/taking/taken)
2. They are ______ pictures of the sunset. (take/taking/taken)
3. The award was ______ by a young scientist. (take/taking/taken)
Self Assessment Answers
4. taken
5. taking
6. taken
FAQs About Taken vs Taking
Is taken past or present tense?
Taken is a past participle, not a standalone tense — it’s used with have/has/had or in passive voice.
Can taking be used as a noun?
Yes, as a gerund: “Taking notes helps memory.”
What is the past tense of take?
The simple past tense of take is took, not taken.
Is it “has took” or “has taken”?
Always “has taken” — took never follows have/has/had.
Which is more formal, taken or taking?
Taken appears more often in formal and written English, while taking is common in speech and continuous tenses.
Final Conclusion
Mastering Taken vs Taking comes down to one question: is the action ongoing or completed? Once that’s clear, the right form follows naturally. For more irregular verb comparisons, check out our guide on shown vs showed to keep strengthening your grammar foundation.
