Taken Vs Taking: What is the Difference & Which is Correct?

Taken vs taking can be confusing because both forms come from the verb take, but they work differently in sentences. Taken is the past participle, while taking is the present participle, or -ing form.

Understanding when to use each form helps you describe completed actions, ongoing activities, passive situations, and experiences accurately in both speaking and writing.

Comparison Overview

Taken and taking are two grammatical forms of the irregular verb take. They share the same basic meaning but express different grammatical functions and time relationships.

• Taken is the past participle of take.
• Taking is the present participle and gerund form of take.
• Taken commonly appears with auxiliary verbs such as have, has, had, be, and been.
• Taking commonly appears with forms of be to describe an action in progress.
• Taking can also function as a noun-like gerund.
• Neither form should be chosen simply because an action happened in the past; the sentence structure determines the correct form.

Compare these examples:

• She has taken my book. → The action has been completed.
• She is taking my book. → The action is happening now or around now.
• The book was taken from the shelf. → The sentence uses the passive voice.
• Taking notes helps students remember information. → Taking functions as a gerund.

The key is to look at the grammar pattern, not just the time of the action.

Definition of Taken

Taken is the past participle form of the irregular verb take.

The basic forms of take are:

take → took → taken

• Present: take
• Past: took
• Past participle: taken

The word taken usually cannot act as the main verb by itself in a standard sentence. It normally needs an auxiliary or helping verb.

For example:

• I have taken the test.
• She had taken the wrong train.
• The documents were taken from the office.
• He has taken several photographs.

In these examples, taken shows that the action has already occurred or that something has been affected by the action.

Common Uses of Taken

Taken is commonly used in:

1. Perfect tenses
   • I have taken the medicine.
   • They had taken the wrong road.
2. Passive constructions
   • The photograph was taken yesterday.
   • The equipment was taken to the laboratory.
3. Participial expressions
   • Taken by surprise, she remained silent.
   • Taken together, these results are significant.
4. Expressions describing experiences or actions
   • He has taken several courses.
   • She has taken responsibility for the project.

Definition of Taking

Taking is the present participle and gerund form of the verb take.

The basic pattern is:

take → taking

When taking is used as a present participle, it commonly forms continuous tenses:

• I am taking a class.
• She is taking notes.
• They were taking photographs.
• We will be taking a different route.

When taking is used as a gerund, it acts like a noun:

• Taking notes improves concentration.
• Taking regular breaks can increase productivity.
• I enjoy taking photographs.
• Taking the train is convenient.

Thus, taking can describe an action in progress or function as a noun-like activity.

Main Differences Between Taken and Taking

The biggest difference is their grammatical form and function.

Feature	Taken	Taking
Base verb	Take	Take
Verb form	Past participle	Present participle/gerund
Main pattern	Have/has/had + taken	Am/is/are/was/were + taking
Common meaning	Completed action or passive action	Ongoing action or activity
Example	She has taken the test.	She is taking the test.
Voice	Often used in passive constructions	Commonly used in active continuous constructions
Noun function	Generally no	Yes, as a gerund

Taken Often Shows Completion

When taken appears after have, has, or had, it commonly indicates a completed action connected to a particular time or situation.

• I have taken the course.
• She had taken the bus before I arrived.

Taking Often Shows an Action in Progress

When taking follows a form of be, it commonly describes something happening at a particular moment.

• I am taking the course this semester.
• She is taking the bus now.

Taken Is Also Common in Passive Voice

• The picture was taken by a professional photographer.
• The samples were taken to the laboratory.

Here, the subject receives the action.

Taking Can Function as a Noun

• Taking notes is useful during lectures.
• Taking photographs is her favorite hobby.

In these examples, taking names an activity rather than simply describing an ongoing action.

Taken Vs Taking in Different Tenses

Understanding tense patterns makes the distinction much easier.

Present Perfect

Use:

have/has + taken

Examples:

• I have taken the exam.
• She has taken three classes this year.
• They have taken the necessary steps.

Past Perfect

Use:

had + taken

Examples:

• He had taken the wrong train.
• We had taken several measurements before the experiment ended.

Present Continuous

Use:

am/is/are + taking

Examples:

• I am taking a course.
• She is taking notes.
• They are taking photographs.

Past Continuous

Use:

was/were + taking

Examples:

• He was taking notes during the lecture.
• We were taking pictures when it started raining.

Future Continuous

Use:

will be + taking

Examples:

• I will be taking the exam tomorrow.
• They will be taking measurements next week.

Grammar Guide

Taken and taking are both verb forms, but they serve different grammatical purposes.

Taken is the past participle of take. It is especially important in perfect tenses and passive constructions.

Taking is the present participle of take and can also work as a gerund.

How Each Term Is Used in Sentences

Patterns With Taken

Have/has + taken

• She has taken the book.
• He has taken the test.

Had + taken

• They had taken the wrong road.
• I had taken my passport with me.

Be + taken

• The photograph was taken yesterday.
• The samples were taken carefully.

Patterns With Taking

Am/is/are + taking

• She is taking a shower.
• We are taking a break.

Was/were + taking

• He was taking notes.
• They were taking measurements.

Taking + noun-like activity

• Taking notes helps me study.
• Taking breaks can improve focus.

Common Mistakes Learners Make

Mistake 1: Using Taken Without a Helping Verb

Incorrect:

• She taken the book.

Correct:

• She has taken the book.
• She took the book.

Taken is a past participle, so it normally requires an appropriate auxiliary in this type of sentence.

Mistake 2: Using Taking After Have

Incorrect:

• I have taking the test.

Correct:

• I have taken the test.

The perfect construction requires the past participle.

Mistake 3: Using Taken for an Ongoing Action

Incorrect:

• She is taken notes.

Correct:

• She is taking notes.

After is in the present continuous, use the -ing form.

Mistake 4: Confusing Took and Taken

Incorrect:

• I have took the bus.

Correct:

• I have taken the bus.
• I took the bus.

Use took as the simple past form and taken as the past participle.

Mistake 5: Assuming “Taken” Always Means Past Time

Although taken is a past participle, it does not independently determine the tense.

For example:

• She has taken the test.
• The package is taken to the office every morning.

The surrounding grammar determines the tense and meaning.

Simple Rules to Remember

Remember these four rules:

1. Take → took → taken.
2. Use taken after have, has, or had in perfect constructions.
3. Use taking after am, is, are, was, or were for continuous actions.
4. Use taking as a gerund when the activity functions like a noun.

A useful shortcut is:

Have + taken
Be + taking

Examples:

• I have taken it.
• I am taking it.

Quick Tips for Writing and Speaking

• Look for the helping verb before choosing the form.
• If you see have, has, or had, check whether taken is needed.
• If you see am, is, are, was, or were and the action is continuous, taking is usually appropriate.
• Remember that the simple past is took, not taken.
• Read the entire sentence rather than choosing based on the word immediately before the blank.
• When speaking naturally, focus on the sentence pattern instead of memorizing isolated forms.

When to Use Each One

When to Use Taken

Use taken when:

• You are forming a perfect tense.
• You are using the passive voice.
• You are describing an action as already completed within a perfect construction.
• You are discussing something that has been removed, carried, accepted, or captured.
• You need the past participle of take.

Examples:

• I have taken the exam.
• She had taken my advice.
• The picture was taken in London.
• The patient was taken to the hospital.
• They have taken responsibility.

When to Use Taking

Use taking when:

• An action is happening now.
• An action was happening at a particular time.
• You are describing an ongoing or temporary activity.
• Taking functions as a gerund.
• You are describing a repeated activity in a suitable context.

Examples:

• I am taking a class.
• She is taking notes.
• They were taking measurements.
• Taking notes helps me learn.
• He enjoys taking photographs.

When NOT to Use Each One

When Not to Use Taken

Do not use taken as a simple past verb.

Incorrect:

• Yesterday, I taken the train.

Correct:

• Yesterday, I took the train.

Also avoid using taken after a continuous form of be.

Incorrect:

• She is taken notes.

Correct:

• She is taking notes.

When Not to Use Taking

Do not normally use taking after have, has, or had when forming the perfect tense.

Incorrect:

• She has taking the exam.

Correct:

• She has taken the exam.

Also avoid using taking when you need the simple past.

Incorrect:

• I taking the bus yesterday.

Correct:

• I took the bus yesterday.

When to Use Taken vs Taking in Questions

Questions With Taken

• Have you taken the test?
• Has she taken the medication?
• Had they taken the correct route?
• Was the photograph taken yesterday?

Questions With Taking

• Are you taking the test now?
• Is she taking notes?
• Were they taking photographs?
• Are you taking the train tomorrow?

The helping verb provides an important clue about which form belongs in the sentence.

Which One to Use: Decision Guide

Use this quick process when you are unsure.

Step 1: Look for Have, Has, or Had

If the sentence uses have, has, or had and you need the past participle, choose taken.

• She has taken the book.
• They had taken the wrong road.

Step 2: Look for Am, Is, Are, Was, or Were

If the sentence describes an action currently or previously in progress, use taking.

• She is taking notes.
• They were taking photographs.

Step 3: Ask Whether You Need the Simple Past

If the action simply happened in the past, use took, not taken or taking.

• I took the train yesterday.

Step 4: Ask Whether the Word Acts Like a Noun

If taking names an activity, it can function as a gerund.

• Taking notes is helpful.
• I enjoy taking photographs.

Quick Decision Table

If you mean…	Use
Completed action with have/has/had	taken
Passive construction	taken
Action happening now	taking
Action happening at a particular past time	taking
Activity used as a noun	taking
Simple past action	took

Real-World Practical Examples

Taken Examples

• Education: She has taken several advanced mathematics courses.
• Daily life: I have taken the laundry upstairs.
• Science: The researcher has taken several samples from the river.
• Business: The company has taken steps to improve customer service.
• Writing: The editor has considered several suggestions.
• Technology: The system has taken a backup of the database.
• Travel: We have taken the train several times this year.
• Conversation: Have you taken your keys with you?
• Photography: The picture was taken during sunset.
• Work: The manager has taken responsibility for the mistake.

Taking Examples

• Education: She is taking an English course this semester.
• Daily life: I am taking a short break.
• Science: The scientist is taking measurements every hour.
• Business: The company is taking a new approach to customer service.
• Writing: I am taking notes while reading the article.
• Technology: The application is taking too long to load.
• Conversation: Are you taking the bus today?
• Travel: We are taking the train to the city.
• Photography: He is taking pictures of the landscape.
• Work: The team is taking part in an important meeting.

Self-Assessment: Fill in the Blanks

Complete each sentence with taken or taking. In some cases, another form of take would be grammatically correct, but the exercise focuses specifically on distinguishing taken and taking.

1. I have ______ several online courses this year.
2. She is ______ notes during the lecture.
3. The photograph was ______ by a professional.
4. They are ______ measurements for the experiment.
5. He has ______ responsibility for the project.
6. We were ______ the train when the announcement was made.
7. The doctor has ______ several samples for testing.
8. ______ notes can help students remember important information.
9. She has ______ the wrong bus several times.
10. Are you ______ photographs at the event?
11. The equipment was ______ to the laboratory.
12. I am ______ an English class this semester.
13. They had ______ the necessary precautions before the storm.
14. He was ______ a break when I called him.
15. The company has ______ several steps to improve efficiency.
16. ______ regular breaks can improve concentration.
17. Have you ______ your passport with you?
18. The students are ______ part in a science project.
19. Several pictures were ______ during the ceremony.
20. She has ______ the opportunity to improve her skills.

Answers

1. taken — “Have” requires the past participle in the perfect construction.
2. taking — “Is” + an ongoing action requires the present participle.
3. taken — The passive construction uses the past participle.
4. taking — “Are” + an ongoing action requires the present participle.
5. taken — “Has” requires the past participle.
6. taking — “Were” describes an action in progress.
7. taken — “Has” is followed by the past participle.
8. Taking — The -ing form functions as a gerund and acts as the subject.
9. taken — “Has” requires the past participle.
10. taking — “Are” introduces a present continuous construction.
11. taken — The passive structure requires the past participle.
12. taking — “Am” + ongoing activity requires taking.
13. taken — “Had” requires the past participle.
14. taking — “Was” + an action in progress requires taking.
15. taken — “Has” requires the past participle.
16. Taking — The -ing form functions as a noun-like subject.
17. taken — “Have” requires the past participle.
18. taking — “Are” + ongoing activity requires taking.
19. taken — “Were” is understood in the passive structure, so the past participle is needed.
20. taken — “Has” requires the past participle.

Conclusion About Taken Vs Taking

Understanding taken vs taking becomes much easier when you focus on their grammatical roles and the structure around them. Taken is the past participle of take, commonly used with have, has, or had, and in passive constructions. For example, “She has taken the test” describes a completed action. Taking, on the other hand, is the present participle or gerund form. It often appears with forms of be to describe an action in progress, as in “She is taking the test.”

It can also function like a noun, as in “Taking notes improves learning.” Remembering these simple patterns can help you avoid common mistakes in everyday conversations, academic writing, professional communication, and formal English. Once you recognize whether you are describing a completed action, an ongoing activity, or an activity used as a noun, choosing between taken vs taking becomes much more natural and confident.

FAQs About Taken Vs Taking

What is the difference between taken and taking?

Taken is the past participle form of take, while taking is the present participle and gerund form. Taken commonly appears with have, has, or had, or in passive sentences. Taking commonly describes an action in progress or functions as a noun. For example, “She has taken the test” differs from “She is taking the test.”

Is taken the past tense of take?

No. Taken is the past participle, not the simple past tense. The simple past form of take is took. For example, “I took the bus yesterday” is correct, while “I have taken the bus” uses the past participle. Remembering take, took, taken makes it easier to use these forms correctly in different grammatical structures.

When should I use taken in a sentence?

Use taken when you need the past participle of take. It commonly follows have, has, or had, as in “She has taken the course.” It also appears in passive constructions, such as “The photograph was taken yesterday.” If you are describing a simple past action without an auxiliary verb, use took instead of taken.

When should I use taking in a sentence?

Use taking when you want to describe an action in progress or use the activity as a noun. Examples include “He is taking notes” and “Taking notes helps students learn.” It commonly follows forms of be in continuous tenses. It can also appear after certain verbs and expressions that are followed naturally by an -ing form.

Is it correct to say “I am taken”?

Yes, “I am taken” can be grammatically correct, but its meaning depends on context. It may describe a passive situation, such as being transported or being emotionally affected. However, if you mean that you are performing the action of taking something, you would normally say “I am taking.” The surrounding words determine the intended meaning.

Is “I have taking” grammatically correct?

No, “I have taking” is incorrect in standard English. After have, the past participle is required, so the correct form is “I have taken.” For example, say “I have taken the exam,” not “I have taking the exam.” The form taking is normally used with a suitable continuous structure, such as “I am taking the exam.”

What is the difference between “I took” and “I have taken”?

I took uses the simple past and normally describes a completed action at a definite or understood past time. I have taken uses the present perfect and connects a past action to the present situation. For example, “I took the test yesterday” identifies a past time, while “I have taken the test” emphasizes the present relevance or experience.

Can taking be used as a noun?

Yes. Taking can function as a gerund, which is a verb form ending in -ing that works grammatically like a noun. For example, “Taking notes is useful” uses taking as the subject of the sentence. Similarly, “I enjoy taking photographs” uses taking to identify an activity that the speaker enjoys.

How can I remember the difference between taken and taking?

A simple memory rule is have + taken and be + taking. For example, “She has taken the book” uses taken, while “She is taking the book” uses taking. Also remember the complete irregular verb pattern: take → took → taken. If you see an ongoing action with a form of be, the -ing form is often the correct choice.

Which is correct: “taken” or “taking”?

Neither word is always correct because the choice depends on the sentence. Use taken for the past participle, especially after have, has, or had, and in passive constructions. Use taking for ongoing actions and gerund uses. Compare “They have taken the train” with “They are taking the train.” Both are correct in different contexts.