Commentary: Syntax is: NP1 TAKE NP2[activity] NP1 TAKE NP2 PP[activity]
NOTE: Includes only light verb usages. In a sentence with a light verb, NP2 can often be paraphrased as a verb: "She took a bath" as "She bathed." However, in some cases, there is no lexical verb that is related to the LVC: "...take a trip to Bermuda." Light verbs: TAKE A BOW, TAKE A BREATH, TAKE A CRAP, TAKE A DARE, TAKE A DIVE, TAKE A HOP, TAKE A LOOK, TAKE A SHIT, TAKE AIM, TAKE ARMS, TAKE FIRE, TAKE FLIGHT, TAKE FORM, TAKE HEED, TAKE HOLD, TAKE HOLD OF, TAKE LEAVE, TAKE NOTE, TAKE NOTICE, TAKE ORDERS, TAKE ROOT, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT/CONSIDERATION, TAKE SEAT
Examples:
They have taken steps to avoid any confusion.
Spiderman was extremely angry now, and took vengeance.
Take a picture of that bridge.
She decided not to take German next year.(i.e. "She participated in a
German course")
He'll take his driving test tomorrow. (can be paraphrased as "He'll
be tested tomorrow.")
Take a picture/photograph of that bridge. (can be paraphrased as,
"Photograph that bridge.")
The seamstress took my measurements. ("The seamstress measured me.")
The company has taken aim at their rival through a new ad campaign.
Can we take shelter from the rain in this cave?
It was worth it, so they took the risk.
They took the evidence into consideration. ("They considered the
evidence")
Let's take our seats. ("Let's sit down")
A 5.6 reading/measurement was taken of the earth's tremors.
The new product rollout took place yesterday ("They rolled out the product")
Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: Becoming_attached,Coming_to_be,Create_physical_artwork,Excreting
PropBank: take.01,take.14,take.LV
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 15, 16, 20, 24, 25, 28, 34
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
take_hold 1, 2
take_a_breath 1
take_fire 1
take_flight 1
take_heed 1
take_a_shit 1
take_account 1
take_hold_of 1
take_a_bow 1, 2
take_a_look 1
take_a_dare 1, 2
take_root 1
take_notice 1
take_a_hop 1
take_aim 1
take_note 1
take_a_crap 1
take_leave 1
take_arms 1
take_a_dive 1
take_into_account 1
take_form 1
Commentary: Syntax is: IT TAKE NP1[theme](usually a quantity) (PP)[goal] NP1[goal] TAKE NP2[theme](usually a quantity) NP1[goal] TAKE NP2[source] NP3[theme](usually a quantity) NP1[source] TAKE NP2[theme](usually a quantity) (PP)[goal] IT TAKE NP1[source] NP2[theme](usually a quantity) (PP)[goal]
Examples:
It took three hours to drive to the mall.
It takes time to build a corporate image.
This game doesn't take much skill.
The homework doesn't take her very long.
Graduate students are taking longer to get their degrees.
It took me a half-hour to move ten feet in traffic.
She takes the time to make sure it's perfect.
That couch takes up all the room.
It takes a lot of money to start a business.
It took $400 million to build the highway.
The recipe takes 3 cups of flour for the batter.
Mappings:
VerbNet: cost-54.2,require-103
FrameNet: Taking_time
PropBank: take.10
WordNet 3.1 Sense Numbers: 2, 14
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
take_up 4
Commentary: Syntax is: NP1 TAKE (NP2[object][concrete])(PP[destination]) NP1 TAKE (NP2[object][abstract])(PP[destination])
NOTE: 'They took to the hills' and 'take off' are understood as a reflexive, where the agent transports the agent.
Examples:
The child was taken to the principal's office.
Please take these letters to the post office.
Are the children taking their umbrellas?
The bandits took (themselves) to the hills.
All he took with him were a few good memories.
His talent took him straight to the top.
Her charitable work took her into some dangerous neighborhoods.
Please take these books back to the library.
That song really takes me back!
Mappings:
VerbNet: bring-11.3
FrameNet: Bringing
PropBank: take.01
WordNet 3.1 Sense Numbers: 3, 7, 30
Commentary: Syntax is: NP1[agent] TAKE NP2[object]
Examples:
I told the salesperson I would take the red leather shoes.
He took up the sugar with a spoon.
Do you take lemon with your tea?
Mary took a small apartment in London.
He has stopped taking the New York Times.
Morgan took back her necklace.
They took out a loan.
The princess took a husband from the three suitors.
Teenagers take up new ideas seemingly on a whim.
We took in 1,000 dollars the first weekend.
He has taken the position of managing director of flight operations.
Mappings:
VerbNet: get-13.5.1
FrameNet: Taking
PropBank: take.01,take.06
WordNet 3.1 Sense Numbers: 4, 8, 10, 12, 18, 23, 31, 32, 33
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
take_up 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9
take_back 2, 3
take_in 1, 5, 7, 10, 16
Commentary: Syntax is: NP1[agent] TAKE NP2[patient] NP3/ADVP/ADJP[attribute/state] NP1[agent] TAKE NP2/ADVP/ADJP[attribute/state] NP2[patient] Includes: TAKE DOWN, TAKE IN, TAKE ON, TAKE UP Typically involves resultative constructions.
Examples:
He took down the Christmas lights.
They took down the building to make way for a parking lot.
We should take in the sails.
Please take in this skirt.
Please take up the hem.
He took apart the radio.
John has taken his company public.
He took apart the company finances.
Mappings:
VerbNet: render-29.90
FrameNet: Cause_to_fragment
PropBank: take.03
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
take_up 4
take_down 3
take_apart 1, 2, 3
take_in 8, 17
Commentary: Syntax is: NP1[animate] TAKE NP2[abstract](PP[attribute/state]) Includes: TAKE FOR, TAKE TO BE
Examples:
He took her remarks as an insult.
Take the following case of possible patent infringement.
I took her to be the maid.
He took her for a fool.
Take for example the following case...
Mappings:
VerbNet: characterize-29.2
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: take.04
WordNet 3.1 Sense Numbers: 6, 13
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
take_for 1
take_to_be 1
Commentary: Syntax is: NP1[benefactor?] TAKE NP2[instrument/path]
Examples:
The film takes an interesting twist in the final scene.
She takes the bus to work.
Take the alternate route through Chelsea during rush hour.
Instead of standing up for his beliefs, he took the coward's way out.
Mappings:
VerbNet: vehicle_path-51.4.3
FrameNet: Ride_vehicle
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.1 Sense Numbers: 9, 40
Commentary: Syntax is: NP1[agent] TAKE NP2[patient] Includes: TAKE CHARGE, TAKE CONTROL, TAKE IN, TAKE ON, TAKE OVER
Examples:
The enemy still could not take the city after a three-month siege.
Terrorists took control of the embassy.
The army took over the government in a matter of hours.
Bell South took over ATT, although they called it a merger.
Kristen took over Sean's job while he was out of town.
She took on the children while their mother was sick.
The city took in the refugees.
Bill Gates took credit for windows.
The pirates took (raped) the women while their men died.
He has taken on the mannerisms of his boss.
Mappings:
VerbNet: adopt-93
FrameNet: Change_of_leadership,Conquering
PropBank: take.01,take.06,take.09,take.12
WordNet 3.1 Sense Numbers: 21, 35, 36, 41
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
take_on 1, 4
take_over 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
take_charge 1
take_in 1
take_control 1
Commentary: Syntax is: NP1[recipient][concrete][inanimate] TAKE NP2[attributive][concrete]
Examples:
His car only takes ten gallons of gas.
Mappings:
VerbNet: fit-54.3
FrameNet: Capacity
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.1 Sense Numbers: 38
Commentary: NP1[agent] TAKE NP2[concrete]
NOTE: abstract agents, such as 'event' have concrete objects metaphorically. The focus is on removal, not someone taking possession or transporting the object (sense 4) Includes: TAKE AWAY; TAKE OFF; TAKE OUT
Examples:
John took a cookie from the plate.
He took the gun from his pocket.
Please don't take my coffee cup yet.
This event has certainly taken the blindfold from the committee's eyes.
He took away the broken washer.
Child Protective Services took away her children.
Take off your shoes before entering.
Take out the chicken after adding the vegetables.
He took all his money out of his account.
Mappings:
VerbNet: remove-10.1
FrameNet: Removing,Taking,Undressing
PropBank: take.01,take.05,take.07,take.11
WordNet 3.1 Sense Numbers: 17
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
take_out 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
take_away 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
take_off 2, 6
Commentary: Includes: TAKE A HINT; TAKE IN; TAKE IN WATER; TAKE UP
Examples:
That wall won't take the paint without an undercoat of primer.
How much water can that sponge take in?
He took in all the knowledge his teacher could offer.
I took in every word they said.
They took in the sights of Paris.
The cloth takes up the liquid.
The patient took insulin.
The boat took in water.
The sinking boat took in water.
He just can't take a hint.
Mappings:
VerbNet: absorb-39.8,devour-39.4
FrameNet: Ingest_substance
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.1 Sense Numbers: 37
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
take_up 8, 10, 11, 12
take_in_water 1
take_in 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14
Commentary: Syntax is: NP1[experiencer] TAKE NP2[stimulus] Typically LVC's but with an additional component to the semantics. The standard LVC interpretation of "He can't take criticism" would be "he can't be criticized," which isn't what is meant. Includes: TAKE A JOKE
Examples:
He never could take criticism.
I can't take spicy food.
We had to take a pay cut last quarter.
Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: Capacity
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.1 Sense Numbers: 19
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
take_a_joke 1
Commentary: Syntax is: NP1[experiencer] TAKE NP2[stimulus]
Examples:
She took ill.
She took (ill with) the flu/pneumonia/a chill
Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.1 Sense Numbers: 29, 42
Commentary: Syntax is: NP1[employer] Take NP2[employee]
Examples:
The factory took on 5 new assembly line workers.
The boss is taking on new help.
The city took on a new fire department.
The Giants took their first three draft picks.
Microsoft took up six new contractors.
Mappings:
VerbNet: hire-13.5.3
FrameNet: Taking
PropBank: take.01,take.06
WordNet 3.1 Sense Numbers: 10, 31
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
take_on 2
take_up 12
Commentary: Syntax is: NP1[agent] TAKE NP2[object]
Examples:
They're taking my stuff.
He took my wallet from me.
The Grinch surreptitiously took Christmas.
Bob took Jim's house from him, illegally.
Jane took Jill's boyfriend.
Mappings:
VerbNet: steal-10.5
FrameNet: Taking
PropBank: take.01,take.06
WordNet 3.1 Sense Numbers: 4, 8, 12
Commentary:
NOTE: ONLY choose this sense for the phrases listed below. Please check carefully. Extra modifiers may be added, but be sure the basic sense is the same. For example, "take a big chance" would count as an instance of "take a chance." However, "take a leave (from her job)" is not the same as "take leave (of his grandmother)" and should not be tagged with this sense.
Examples:
TAKE A BREATHER/FIVE/TEN/TIME OFF
TAKE A CHILL
The child has taken a chill.
TAKE A FIRM STAND
TAKE A HIT
TAKE A LEAK
TAKE A LIFE
The storm took the sailors lives.
TAKE A POWDER
TAKE ABACK
TAKE ADVANTAGE
TAKE AFTER
She takes after her father.
TAKE BACK
He took his words back and apologized.
TAKE DOWN
She pointed out all his mistakes and took him down a peg or two.
TAKE FOR GRANTED
TAKE HEART
TAKE HOME
TAKE IN (deceive)
TAKE IN VAIN
TAKE IN CHARGE (mind)
TAKE ISSUE
TAKE IT EASY
TAKE IT ON THE CHIN
TAKE KINDLY TO
TAKE LYING DOWN
TAKE OFFICE
TAKE OFF
He took off for Boston as soon as he graduated.
"The plane took off two hours late" DEPART
Her business is really taking off. SUCCEEDING
He took off from work. LEAVE OF ABSENCE
TAKE ON (opponent/problem)
TAKE ONE'S LUMPS
TAKE OUT
He took out a patent on his invention.
The company took out an ad.
TAKE PAINS
TAKE PART
TAKE PLACE
TAKE STAGE
TAKE STOCK
TAKE THE AIR
TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS
TAKE THE CAKE
TAKE THE COUNT
TAKE THE FIELD
TAKE THE FIFTH
TAKE THE FIFTH AMENDMENT
TAKE THE FLOOR
TAKE THE ROAD
TAKE THE STAGE
TAKE THE STAND
TAKE THE VEIL
TAKE TIME BY THE FORELOCK
TAKE TIME OFF
TAKE TO (activity/state)
He took to drink to forget the divorce.
TAKE TO HEART
TAKE TO TASK
TAKE TO
They took to the hills/the air/the airwaves/the courts.
TAKE (ITS/HIS/HER, etc) TOLL
TAKE TURNS
TAKE UP ARMS
TAKE UP
We'll take up this matter at the next meeting.
I'd like to take up golf.
TAKE WATER
Mappings:
VerbNet: appear-48.1.1,occurrence-48.3.1,rely-70
FrameNet: Excreting,Event,Judgment_direct_address,Participation
PropBank: take.01,take.04,take.11,take.14,take.17,take.19take.20
WordNet 3.1 Sense Numbers: 26, 27, 39
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
take_out 4
take_one's_lumps 1
take_the_air 1
take_the_cake 1
take_up_arms 1
take_advantage 1, 2
take_chances 1
take_part 1
take_time_by_the_forelock 1
take_ten 1
take_five 1
take_kindly_to 1
take_it_on_the_chin 1
take_stock 1, 2
take_issue 1
take_exception 1
take_to_heart 1
take_in_vain 1
take_the_bull_by_the_horns 1
take_the_field 1, 2
take_effect 1
take_office 1
take_place 1
take_heart 1
take_the_count 1
take_pains 1
take_the_stand 1
take_home 1
take_down 3
take_back 5
take_a_powder 1
take_the_road 1
take_pride 1
take_aback 1
take_the_floor 1, 2
take_water 1
take_a_breather 1
take_the_fifth_amendment 1
take_a_firm_stand 1
take_a_hit 1
take_time_off 1
take_to_task 1
take_care 1, 2, 3
take_it_easy 1
take_a_chance 1
take_the_stage 1
take_the_fifth 1
take_for_granted 1
take_turns 1
take_a_leak 1
take_shape 1
take_off 1, 3, 7, 8
take_stage 1
take_the_veil 1