Bring vs. Take: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sawaira Riaz || By Sumera Saeed || Published on November 21, 2023
"Bring" implies carrying something towards the speaker's location, while "take" means moving something away from the speaker or to another location.
Key Differences
Bring is used when the movement of an object or person is towards the speaker or the speaker's current location. For example, you ask someone to bring you a book when you are at home. Take, in contrast, is used when the movement is away from the speaker or to a different location. You take a book to school, meaning you move it away from your current location.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
When using bring, the focus is on the arrival of someone or something to the speaker's place. It implies a movement towards the speaker. For instance, "Bring your report to my office" suggests bringing the report to where the speaker is. Take emphasizes the action of carrying or moving something from one place to another, away from the speaker. "Take your umbrella with you" means to carry the umbrella away from the current place, possibly where the speaker is.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Bring often involves a change in location towards a target place, usually where the speaker is or will be. It can also imply bringing something to a mutual or agreed location. On the other hand, take usually suggests transportation of something from the speaker's location to another, particularly emphasizing the act of removal or departure.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 21, 2023
The use of bring and take also depends on the speaker's perspective. Bring is used from the perspective of the destination: "Can you bring some snacks to the party?" Here, the party is the destination. Conversely, take is used from the perspective of the starting point: "I'll take these snacks to the party," where the speaker's current location is the starting point.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
In some contexts, bring and take can be interchangeable, especially in casual speech. However, the general rule remains: bring implies movement towards the speaker or a specific location, while take implies moving something away or to another place. Understanding this distinction helps in using these verbs accurately in different contexts.
Harlon Moss
Nov 21, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Direction of Movement
Towards speaker or destination
Away from speaker or starting point
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 21, 2023
Speaker's Perspective
Used when the object/person is coming to speaker’s location
Used when the object/person is going away from the speaker
Sumera Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Typical Usage
Requesting someone to carry something to where the speaker is
Directing or describing the action of taking something away
Sumera Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
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Bring and Take Definitions
Bring
To carry or come with something to a place.
Please bring your camera to the party.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Take
To choose or select something.
He will take the blue shirt over the red one.
Janet White
Nov 14, 2023
Bring
To cause or persuade someone to come.
She will bring her friend to the meeting.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 14, 2023
Bring
To initiate legal action against someone.
The company decided to bring a lawsuit against the competitor.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
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Take
To move or carry someone or something from one place to another.
Please take these books to the library.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 14, 2023
Bring
To cause something to be in a particular condition or state.
This news will bring joy to everyone.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 14, 2023
Take
To remove something from a place.
Don't forget to take your umbrella when you leave.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 14, 2023
Bring
To result in something happening or being caused.
Carelessness can bring accidents.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Take
To consume something, like food or medicine.
She needs to take her medicine twice a day.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Bring
To carry, convey, lead, or cause to go along to another place
Brought enough money with me.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Bring
To carry as an attribute or contribution
You bring many years of experience to your new post.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Bring
To lead or force into a specified state, situation, or location
Bring the water to a boil.
Brought the meeting to a close.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Take
To seize with authority or legal right
The town took the land by eminent domain.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
FAQs
Can bring and take be used interchangeably?
In casual speech, they are sometimes used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings based on direction of movement.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Is take used in the context of departing?
Yes, take is used when something is being moved away from the speaker’s current location.
Harlon Moss
Nov 21, 2023
What does take mean?
Take means to carry or move something or someone from one place to another, away from the speaker or current location.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 21, 2023
Is bring used in the context of arriving?
Yes, bring is used when something is being moved towards the speaker or a specific destination.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 21, 2023
Can bring be used to mean cause something to happen?
Yes, bring can also mean to cause a particular condition or state, e.g., "bring happiness."
Harlon Moss
Nov 21, 2023
What is an example of using bring correctly?
"Can you bring your laptop to my house?" implies bringing the laptop to where the speaker is.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 21, 2023
What is an example of using take correctly?
"I’ll take these documents to the office" implies moving the documents away from the current location.
Harlon Moss
Nov 21, 2023
Is bring used in legal context?
Yes, bring can mean to initiate legal action, e.g., "bring a lawsuit."
Sumera Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Does bring imply an action towards the speaker?
Yes, bring generally implies movement towards the speaker or their location.
Janet White
Nov 21, 2023
What does bring mean?
Bring means to carry or lead something or someone towards a destination or the speaker.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
How does perspective affect the use of bring and take?
Bring is used from the destination’s perspective, while take is used from the starting point’s perspective.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Does take imply an action away from the speaker?
Yes, take typically implies movement away from the speaker’s current location.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
How does bring relate to arrival?
Bring is associated with someone or something arriving at the speaker’s location or a destination.
Janet White
Nov 21, 2023
Is take used in the context of accepting something?
Yes, take can mean to accept or receive something, e.g., "take an offer."
Harlon Moss
Nov 21, 2023
Can take be used in the context of consumption?
Yes, take is often used to describe consuming something, e.g., "take medicine."
Sumera Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
What is an example where bring and take are used in the same context?
"Bring me the book from the table, then take it to the library" uses both in context.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 21, 2023
Can take be used to mean choosing something?
Yes, take can mean to choose or select, e.g., "take the best option."
Aimie Carlson
Nov 21, 2023
How does take relate to departure?
Take is associated with moving something away from where the speaker is, emphasizing departure.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
In what scenarios are bring and take most accurately used?
Bring is accurate when referring to movement towards, and take when referring to movement away.
Sumera Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Can bring be used to request someone’s presence?
Yes, bring can be used to request someone to come along, e.g., "bring your friend."
Sumera Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
Edited by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
