To take means to grab, accept, or move something so that you have it or control it. When you take a book off the shelf, you're picking it up and bringing it to yourself. When you take someone's advice, you're accepting what they suggest and acting on it. When a chess player takes your knight, they're capturing and removing your piece from the board.

The word appears everywhere in English because it covers so many actions. You can take a shower, take your time, take a test, or take responsibility for something you did. A doctor might take your temperature. A photographer takes pictures. A recipe might tell you to take three eggs and beat them thoroughly.

Sometimes take means to require: “This puzzle will take patience.” Sometimes it means to endure: “I can't take this noise anymore!” Sometimes it means to understand: “I take your point” means you understand what someone is saying.

The word also combines with other words to create specific meanings. To take after someone means to resemble them, like when people say you take after your grandmother. To take back something you said means to admit you were wrong. To take off means to leave quickly or, for an airplane, to begin flying.

Because take is so common and useful, paying attention to the words around it helps you understand exactly what action is happening.