Bring vs. Take – Which is Correct?

The distinction between bring and take hinges on direction relative to the speaker or a specified reference point. Use bring when movement is towards the speaker or a destination, implying arrival. Use take when movement is away from the speaker or a starting point, implying departure.

Bring or Take – Which is Correct?

Both bring and take are correct and commonly used verbs in American English, but they are not interchangeable. The core difference lies in the direction of the action relative to the person speaking or the main point of reference.

You use bring when something is moved towards the speaker or a specified destination. Think of it as conveying something to “here.” For example, if you are at home, you would ask someone to “bring the mail in.”

Conversely, you use take when something is moved away from the speaker or a starting point. Think of it as conveying something “there.” If you are leaving home, you would say you will “take the trash out.”

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

The easiest way to remember whether to use bring or take is to focus on the speaker’s perspective.

• If the action is moving something towards you (the speaker) or the location you are currently discussing, use bring. Think: “Come bring this to me.”
• If the action is moving something away from you (the speaker) or the location you are currently discussing, use take. Think: “Go take this away from me.”

A simple mnemonic is: You bring things here, and you take things there.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Bring	Verb	To carry or convey to the place where the speaker is or will be; movement towards.	“Please bring your notes to the meeting.” (The meeting is the destination)
Take	Verb	To carry or convey from the place where the speaker is to another place; movement away.	“I need to take my car to the mechanic.” (Away from current location)

How to Use Bring

The verb bring is used when an object or person is moved towards the speaker or a specified destination. It implies an action of conveying something to a particular place, often where the speaker is or where the activity is centered. This verb can be used in both formal and casual contexts.

Example 1: “Could you please bring the report to my office by noon?” (Movement towards the speaker’s office.)

Example 2: “Every time she visits, my aunt likes to bring us fresh baked goods.” (Movement towards the speaker’s location.)

Example 3: “Remember to bring your swimsuits if you plan on using the hotel pool.” (Movement towards the designated place, the pool.)

What are the different forms of Bring?

Bring is an irregular verb. Its principal forms are:

• Base form: bring
• Past simple: brought
• Past participle: brought
• Present participle/Gerund: bringing

For example: “I bring flowers,” “Yesterday, I brought flowers,” “I have brought flowers many times,” “I am bringing flowers now.”

Etymology of the word Bring

The word bring comes from Old English bringan, meaning “to carry, lead, fetch, produce.” Its Germanic roots are evident across various languages (e.g., German bringen). It has always maintained the core meaning of conveying something towards a specific point.

How to Use Take

The verb take is used when an object or person is moved away from the speaker or a starting point to another location. It signifies an action of removing something from “here” to “there.” Like bring, take is appropriate in both formal and informal settings.

Example 1: “I need to take these old clothes to the donation center.” (Movement away from the speaker’s current location.)

Example 2: “The teacher will take the students on a field trip next week.” (Movement away from the classroom.)

Example 3: “Don’t forget to take your medication before you leave for work.” (Movement away from the current location, with you.)

What are the different forms of Take?

Take is also an irregular verb. Its principal forms are:

• Base form: take
• Past simple: took
• Past participle: taken
• Present participle/Gerund: taking

For example: “I take a bus,” “Yesterday, I took a bus,” “I have taken a bus many times,” “I am taking a bus now.”

Etymology of the word Take

The word take has a somewhat more complex history, coming into English from Old Norse taka, meaning “to grasp, lay hold of.” It largely replaced the native Old English word niman (from which we get “nimble”). Over time, its meaning evolved to include carrying or conveying away.

Related Concepts

Understanding a few broader grammatical concepts can further clarify the distinction between “bring” and “take.”

• Deictic Verbs: These are verbs whose meaning is determined by the context of the speaker. “Bring” and “take” are classic examples, as their direction is always relative to the speaker’s position or the implied center of action.
• Directional Prepositions: Verbs like “bring” and “take” often work in conjunction with prepositions that indicate direction, such as “to,” “from,” “toward,” and “away.” These prepositions reinforce the directional nuance inherent in the verbs themselves.

Examples from Media and Literature

Observing “bring” and “take” in various contexts can solidify your understanding:

• “Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.” — Genesis 2:22 (NIV)
• “I’ll take you to the candy shop.” — 50 Cent, “Candy Shop”
• “Just bring your pretty body to the city, baby.” — Taylor Swift, “Welcome to New York”
• “It is not what you take with you, but what you leave behind that counts.” — Disney’s The Lion King (Mufasa)
• “Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing gonna be alright. Rise up this mornin’, smiled with the risin’ sun. Three little birds pitch by my doorstep, singin’ sweet songs of melodies pure and true, sayin’, ‘This is my message to you, ooh-ooh.’ ” — Bob Marley, “Three Little Birds” (Implied: the birds “bring” their message)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. Could you please ______ your laptop to the meeting room?
2. I need to ______ these old newspapers to the recycling center.
3. Don’t forget to ______ an umbrella with you when you leave the house.
4. My grandmother always ______ me homemade cookies when she visits.
5. The delivery driver will ______ the package to your door tomorrow.

Answer Key

1. bring
2. take
3. take
4. brings
5. bring

Bring Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Carry	Support and move (someone or something) from one place to another.
Convey	Transport or carry to a place.
Fetch	Go for and then bring back (someone or something).
Deliver	Bring and hand over (a letter, parcel, or ordered goods) to the proper recipient or address.
Transport	Take or carry (people or goods) from one place to another by means of a vehicle, aircraft, or ship.

Take Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Remove	Take (something) away or off from the position occupied.
Carry	Support and move (someone or something) from one place to another.
Convey	Transport or carry to a place.
Escort	Accompany (someone or something) to a place.
Transport	Take or carry (people or goods) from one place to another by means of a vehicle, aircraft, or ship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can I say “bring it over there”?
No, typically you would say “take it over there.” “Bring” implies movement towards the speaker or a designated “here,” while “over there” indicates a destination away from the speaker.

Question 2: Does “bring” always mean towards me, the speaker?
Not always “towards me” specifically, but always towards a defined destination or reference point. For instance, “Bring the groceries into the kitchen.” If you are in the kitchen, it’s towards you. If you’re not, it’s towards the kitchen.

Question 3: Is there a situation where “bring” and “take” are interchangeable?
Rarely, if ever, are they truly interchangeable without altering the nuance of direction. The choice between them is always determined by the perspective of the speaker and the direction of movement relative to a reference point.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of bring and take is fundamental to clear and precise communication in English. Remember that bring signifies movement towards the speaker or a specified destination, while take indicates movement away from the speaker or a starting point. By focusing on the direction of the action relative to the perspective, you can confidently choose the correct verb every time.

Pro Tip: Using these verbs correctly demonstrates a strong command of English, enhancing your professional reputation in both written and spoken contexts.