Taking vs Taken is one of the most common grammar topics that confuses English learners. At first glance, these two words look almost identical because they come from the same verb, take. However, they have completely different grammatical functions and cannot be used interchangeably.

Imagine these two sentences:

• She is taking notes during the lecture. ✅
• She has taken notes during the lecture. ✅

Both sentences are correct, but they express different ideas. In the first sentence, taking shows that the action is happening right now. In the second sentence, taken tells us the action has already been completed.

Now compare these incorrect examples:

• She is taken notes. ❌
• She has taking notes. ❌

These sentences are grammatically incorrect because taking and taken follow different grammar rules. Understanding when to use each word will make your English sound more natural and accurate.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn the difference between taking vs taken, understand the grammar behind each word, see dozens of practical examples, discover common mistakes, compare them in easy-to-read tables, and practice using them correctly in everyday conversations and writing.

What Does “Take” Mean?

The verb take generally means:

• To carry something
• To receive something
• To remove something
• To choose something
• To travel using transportation
• To perform an action

Examples:

• Please take your umbrella.
• I take the bus every morning.
• She takes beautiful photographs.
• Can you take this box upstairs?

Since taking and taken both come from the verb take, understanding the verb itself makes learning these forms much easier.

Forms of the Verb “Take”

Verb Form	Word	Example
Base Form	Take	Please take your seat.
Past Simple	Took	I took the train yesterday.
Present Participle	Taking	She is taking a shower.
Past Participle	Taken	They have taken my advice.

This table is important because taking and taken belong to different verb forms.

What Does “Taking” Mean?

Taking is the present participle of the verb take.

It is mainly used in:

• Continuous tenses
• Gerunds (verb acting as a noun)
• Adjectives in some situations

It usually describes an action that is happening now or around the present time.

Examples:

• She is taking a test.
• We are taking pictures.
• They were taking a walk.
• I enjoy taking photographs.
• He is taking medicine every day.

In all these sentences, taking describes an ongoing activity.

When to Use “Taking”

Use taking when an action is:

• Happening now
• Continuing
• Used after forms of be (is, am, are, was, were)
• Used as a noun (gerund)

Examples:

Present Continuous

• I am taking English classes.
• She is taking notes.
• They are taking a break.

Past Continuous

• We were taking pictures at the beach.
• He was taking a shower.
• The students were taking an exam.

Gerund Examples

• Taking exercise improves health.
• Taking responsibility is important.
• Taking risks sometimes leads to success.

What Does “Taken” Mean?

Taken is the past participle of take.

Unlike taking, it cannot normally stand alone as the main verb.

It usually appears with helping verbs such as:

• has
• have
• had
• is
• was
• were
• been

Examples:

• I have taken your advice.
• She has taken the test.
• They had taken the wrong road.
• The documents were taken yesterday.
• The picture has been taken.

Here, taken shows that the action has already been completed.

When to Use “Taken”

Use taken in:

• Present Perfect
• Past Perfect
• Passive Voice
• Perfect Continuous structures

Examples:

Present Perfect

• She has taken my pen.
• I have taken the medicine.
• They have taken several photos.

Past Perfect

• We had taken the train before it started raining.
• He had taken the wrong turn.

Passive Voice

• My wallet was taken.
• The books were taken from the shelf.
• The decision has been taken.

Taking vs Taken: Key Differences

Feature	Taking	Taken
Verb Form	Present Participle	Past Participle
Time	Ongoing action	Completed action
Used With	Am, Is, Are, Was, Were	Has, Have, Had, Been
Continuous Tenses	✔ Yes	✘ No
Perfect Tenses	✘ No	✔ Yes
Passive Voice	✘ Rare	✔ Yes
Example	She is taking notes.	She has taken notes.

Taking in Everyday English

Native English speakers use taking in many common expressions.

Examples:

• taking notes
• taking medicine
• taking a shower
• taking photos
• taking a break
• taking a walk
• taking care
• taking lessons
• taking responsibility
• taking action

Example sentences:

• She is taking piano lessons.
• They are taking a short break.
• I’m taking care of my grandmother.
• We are taking the children to school.
• He is taking extra classes this semester.

FAQs

What is the difference between taking and taken?

The main difference is that taking is the present participle of take and is used in continuous tenses, while taken is the past participle and is used in perfect tenses and passive voice.

Example:

• She is taking a photo. ✅
• She has taken a photo. ✅

Is it “has taken” or “has taking”?

The correct phrase is has taken because taken is the past participle used after has, have, and had.

Correct: He has taken the exam. ✅

Incorrect: He has taking the exam. ❌

Is it “is taking” or “is taken”?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings.

• Is taking describes an action that is happening now.
• Is taken is passive voice and means something is being received, removed, or occupied.

Examples:

• She is taking notes. ✅
• This seat is taken. ✅

Can I use taking and taken interchangeably?

No. Taking and taken have different grammatical functions and cannot be used interchangeably.

Correct: They are taking the bus. ✅

Correct: They have taken the bus. ✅

When should I use taking?

Use taking when talking about an action that is happening now or is ongoing. It is commonly used in continuous tenses and as a gerund.

Examples:

• I am taking English classes.
• She enjoys taking pictures.

When should I use taken?

Use taken after helping verbs such as has, have, had, or in passive voice to describe a completed action.

Examples:

• We have taken your advice.
• The documents were taken yesterday.

Is taken a past tense?

No. Taken is not the past tense. It is the past participle of the verb take. The simple past tense is took.

Examples:

• I took the train yesterday. ✅
• I have taken the train many times. ✅

What are common expressions with taking?

Some common expressions include:

• taking notes
• taking medicine
• taking a break
• taking a shower
• taking a walk
• taking care
• taking responsibility
• taking action

What are common expressions with taken?

Common expressions with taken include:

• have taken
• had taken
• has taken
• was taken
• were taken
• has been taken
• taken seriously
• taken into account

How can I remember the difference between taking and taken?

A simple trick is to remember:

• Taking = Action in progress
• Taken = Action completed

If the action is happening now, use taking. If the action has already been completed or is used in passive voice, use taken.

Conclusion

Taking vs Taken is a grammar difference that becomes much easier once you understand how each verb form is used. While both words come from the verb take, they are not interchangeable. Taking is the present participle, so it describes an action that is happening now or is still in progress, such as “She is taking a driving lesson.” On the other hand, taken is the past participle, which is used with helping verbs like has, have, and had, or in passive voice to show that an action has already been completed. For example, “She has taken her driving test,” tells us the action is finished. Recognizing this simple distinction will help you write and speak English more naturally and accurately.

The best way to master taking vs taken is through regular practice and exposure to real-life examples. Whenever you read a book, watch a movie, or have a conversation in English, pay attention to how native speakers use these two forms. Try creating your own sentences, such as “I am taking an online course” and “I have taken three online courses this year,” to reinforce the difference. With consistent practice, you’ll quickly develop confidence in choosing the correct form, improve your grammar skills, and communicate more clearly in both everyday conversations and professional writing.