Take in Charge vs. Take Charge – Which is Correct?
Use take charge, not take in charge, when you mean to assume control or responsibility. “Take in charge” is a common nonstandard expression caused by combining “take charge” with “be in charge.” Say “She took charge of the project” or “He is in charge of the team” in normal usage.
Take in Charge or Take Charge – Which is Correct?
Take charge is the correct standard expression. It means to assume control, leadership, or responsibility for a person, task, or situation. Take in charge is generally considered a nonstandard expression in modern American English.
The confusion probably comes from blending two correct phrases: take charge and be in charge. You can say, “Maria took charge of the meeting,” or “Maria is in charge of the meeting,” but not normally, “Maria took in charge of the meeting.”
Because take charge often appears in the past tense, Took vs. Taken clarifies which form fits.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the action-versus-state test. If someone is actively assuming control, use take charge. If someone already has responsibility or authority, use be in charge. Remember: you take charge, but you are in charge.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| take charge | Verb phrase | To assume control or responsibility | The captain took charge after the emergency began. |
| take in charge | Nonstandard expression | Usually an incorrect combination of two expressions | Use “take charge” instead. |
How to Use Take Charge
Take charge is a verb phrase meaning to begin directing or managing something. It can refer to leadership in an organization, responsibility for a task, control of an event, or authority during a difficult situation.
The phrase is natural in both casual and formal English. It often suggests decisive action and initiative. The usual construction is take charge of + noun.
Example 1: The new manager took charge of the department last Monday.
Example 2: When the discussion became disorganized, Elena took charge and created an agenda.
Example 3: The paramedic took charge of the response until additional help arrived.
You can also use take charge without an object when the context makes the responsibility clear: “Someone needs to take charge.” In the passive voice, you might say, “The investigation was taken charge of by a senior officer,” although the more direct active form is usually better: “A senior officer took charge of the investigation.”
Etymology of the Phrase Take Charge
Charge comes through Old French from a Latin root associated with a burden, load, or responsibility. In English, charge developed meanings connected with care, supervision, command, and financial cost. The phrase take charge emerged from the idea of accepting responsibility or assuming authority over something.
Related Concepts
Understanding the difference between action phrases and state phrases makes it easier to choose between take charge and be in charge.
- Take charge: This action phrase describes the moment someone assumes control or responsibility. Example: “Jordan took charge of the presentation.”
- Be in charge: This phrase describes an existing position of authority or responsibility. Example: “Jordan is in charge of the presentation.”
- Take responsibility: This phrase means to accept accountability for an action, duty, or outcome. It does not always imply authority over other people.
- Take control: This phrase emphasizes gaining control, especially when a situation is disorderly, dangerous, or difficult to manage.
Examples from Media and Literature
The expression take charge frequently appears in stories and reporting about leadership, emergencies, and personal initiative.
- News reporting: Coverage of natural disasters often describes emergency coordinators or local officials as taking charge of rescue and recovery operations.
- Business journalism: Articles about leadership changes commonly state that a new executive took charge of a company, division, or restructuring effort.
- Science-fiction films: In command-centered films such as Apollo 13, characters must take charge when technical failures place a crew in danger.
- Historical fiction: Narratives about military campaigns frequently use the phrase when a commander assumes control after a leader is injured or unavailable.
- Children’s literature: Stories about teamwork often show a character taking charge of a difficult task while encouraging other characters to contribute.
Take Charge Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Assume control | To begin directing or managing a person, activity, or situation |
| Take command | To assume authority, especially in an organized or official setting |
| Take the lead | To become the person guiding an activity or group |
| Take responsibility | To accept accountability for a duty, decision, or result |
| Manage | To organize, direct, or control work, people, or resources |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “take in charge” grammatically correct?
No. In standard modern English, use take charge when someone assumes control. Use in charge after a form of be, as in “She is in charge.”
Question 2: Should I say “take charge of” or “take charge on”?
Use take charge of before the person, task, or organization being managed: “He took charge of the project.” The preposition on is not normally used in this construction.
Question 3: What is the difference between “take charge” and “be in charge”?
Take charge describes the action of assuming control, while be in charge describes an existing position of authority. For example, “Nina took charge during the crisis” means she assumed control, whereas “Nina is in charge” means she currently has authority.
Conclusion
Take charge is the correct expression when you mean to assume control, leadership, or responsibility. Do not combine it with in; use be in charge when describing an existing role. Pro Tip: Using precise expressions such as these strengthens your professional reputation and makes your communication sound confident and polished.
