taken

In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: Elamur Cosmic License. Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

Meaning

1. Taken is a form of «take»: picked up, removed or carried away. «5 were taken» means 5 were removed.
2. A seat that is taken is being used by someone.
3. «Taken» with time means used up: «the trip has taken 3 hours».
4. Taken with medicine means swallowed.
5. «Taken aback» means surprised.

In the lessons

In school maths: an action that takes away — things taken out of a box or away from a group; what is left = start − taken; time taken. In everyday life: «Is this seat taken?», «a photo was taken», «a test was taken». Phrases: «taken away», «taken from», «time taken», «taken by surprise», «taken care of».

Examples

• 4 apples were taken from the basket.
• After 6 books were taken, 12 were left.
• How many have been taken?
• 3 seats are taken.
• Excuse me, is this seat taken?
• The journey has taken two hours.
• The photo was taken on our holiday.
• She was taken by surprise when everyone shouted «Happy birthday!».

Note

Forms: take, took, taken. Use «taken» after «have» or «was»: «I have taken», «it was taken» — not «I have took». Maths: usually subtraction: what is left = start − taken. Trap: «taken» can also be about time («the trip has taken 3 hours»), which is not a subtraction.