Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/taken/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [T](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/t/) / taken

# taken

verb (take, takes, took, taken, taking — taken is the past participle); adjective (taken — already used)

«taken» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. Taken is a form of «take»: picked up, removed or carried away. «5 were taken» means 5 were removed.
2. A seat that is taken is being used by someone.
3. «Taken» with time means used up: «the trip has taken 3 hours».
4. Taken with medicine means swallowed.
5. «Taken aback» means surprised.

### In the lessons

In school maths: an action that takes away — things taken out of a box or away from a group; what is left = start − taken; time taken. In everyday life: «Is this seat taken?», «a photo was taken», «a test was taken». Phrases: «taken away», «taken from», «time taken», «taken by surprise», «taken care of».

### Examples

- 4 apples were taken from the basket.
- After 6 books were taken, 12 were left.
- How many have been taken?
- 3 seats are taken.
- Excuse me, is this seat taken?
- The journey has taken two hours.
- The photo was taken on our holiday.
- She was taken by surprise when everyone shouted «Happy birthday!».

### Note

Forms: take, took, taken. Use «taken» after «have» or «was»: «I have taken», «it was taken» — not «I have took». Maths: usually subtraction: what is left = start − taken. Trap: «taken» can also be about time («the trip has taken 3 hours»), which is not a subtraction.