The verb to take · Conjugation
Past Simple of take
The answer: took
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to take is took.
Example: I took the bus to school yesterday.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | took |
| You | took |
| He / She / It | took |
| We | took |
| You (pl.) | took |
| They | took |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Taked ❌
Take is an irregular verb. Its Past Simple is took, never taked.
2. I have took ❌
Took = Past Simple (used alone). Taken = past participle (after have / has, or in the passive: The photo was taken in 2020). So say I have taken, never I have took.
3. I didn't took it ❌
After didn't, always use the base form: I didn't take it, not I didn't took it.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of take?+
The Past Simple of take is took. It is the same for every person: I took, you took, he took, we took, they took.
What is the difference between took and taken?+
Took is the Past Simple: I took the train yesterday. Taken is the past participle, used after have / has in the Present Perfect: I have taken the train.
Is it I took a photo or I have taken a photo?+
With a definite time: I took a photo yesterday (Past Simple). With no time, for a recent action with a result now: I have taken a photo (Present Perfect: the photo is here).
Is it didn't take or didn't took?+
Say didn't take: I didn't take the bus. After didn't, the verb goes back to its base form (take, not took). The past is already in did.
What is the difference between took and brought?+
Take = carry something away from the speaker: I took my jacket because it was cold. Bring = carry something to the speaker: She brought her jacket to the party. Think of it this way: take goes, bring comes.
Related pages: take Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/take/past-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
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More forms of the verb to take are coming soon.