Collocations with "Take" and "Have" in Everyday Conversations

In everyday English, native speakers rarely use single words alone.

Instead, they use collocations—natural word combinations that sound correct and fluent.

Two of the most common verbs in daily conversations are “take” and “have.”

You hear them everywhere: take a break, have a chat, take responsibility, have an idea.

Learning collocations with “take” and “have” helps you speak English more naturally and confidently.

Instead of translating word by word, you start using English the way native speakers do.

In this lesson, you will learn useful collocations with “take” and “have”, along with clear meanings and simple example sentences for everyday situations.

This topic is part of our English Collocations for English learners.

Why Are Collocations Important?

Collocations make your English sound natural.

For example, native speakers say “take a shower,” not “do a shower.” Knowing the right word combinations will help you avoid mistakes and express yourself clearly.

Let’s dive into common collocations with “take” and “have” and see how they are used in daily life.

Collocations with “Take”

The verb “take” is versatile and used in many contexts.

Here are some common collocations:

1. Take a Break

Meaning: To rest or relax for a short time.
Example: After working for hours, I decided to take a break and grab a coffee.

2. Take a Shower

Meaning: To wash your body under a shower.
Example: I always take a shower in the morning to feel refreshed.

3. Take a Seat

Meaning: To sit down.
Example: Please take a seat; the meeting will start soon.

4. Take Responsibility

Meaning: To accept that you are responsible for something.
Example: She decided to take responsibility for her actions.

5. Take Care

Meaning: To be careful or look after someone/something.
Example: Take care while crossing the busy street.

6. Take an Exam

Meaning: To sit for an exam or test.
Example: He’s nervous because he has to take an exam tomorrow.

7. Take Advice

Meaning: To follow or accept someone’s advice.
Example: It’s wise to take advice from experienced people.

8. Take a Chance

Meaning: To try something risky.
Example: Sometimes, you need to take a chance to succeed.

9. Take Notes

Meaning: To write down important information.
Example: During the lecture, I always take notes to review later.

10. Take a Picture

Meaning: To photograph something.
Example: Let’s take a picture to remember this moment.

Collocations with “Have”

The verb “have” is equally flexible and widely used.

Here are some common collocations:

1. Have a Good Time

Meaning: To enjoy yourself.
Example: We had a good time at the party last night.

2. Have a Meal

Meaning: To eat.
Example: Let’s have a meal together after work.

3. Have a Shower

Meaning: To take a shower (interchangeable with “take a shower”).
Example: I prefer to have a shower in the evening.

4. Have a Conversation

Meaning: To talk with someone.
Example: We had a long conversation about our future plans.

5. Have Fun

Meaning: To enjoy yourself.
Example: The kids had fun playing in the park.

6. Have a Nap

Meaning: To sleep for a short time.
Example: I often have a nap after lunch to recharge.

7. Have a Party

Meaning: To organize or attend a party.
Example: We’re going to have a party this weekend to celebrate.

8. Have a Look

Meaning: To check or examine something.
Example: Can you have a look at this document?

9. Have Patience

Meaning: To stay calm and wait.
Example: You need to have patience when dealing with children.

10. Have a Problem

Meaning: To face an issue or difficulty.
Example: Do you have a problem with the new schedule?

Using “Take” and “Have” in Similar Contexts

Sometimes, “take” and “have” can be used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences.

Let’s look at a few examples:

Take a Shower vs. Have a Shower

Both are correct and commonly used.

“Take a shower” is more common in American English, while “have a shower” is more frequent in British English.

Take a Break vs. Have a Break

Again, both are correct.

“Take a break” is slightly more formal, while “have a break” is often used casually.

Take a Meal vs. Have a Meal

“Have a meal” is the preferred collocation.

Native speakers rarely say “take a meal.”

Take Fun vs. Have Fun

Only “have fun” is correct.

“Take fun” is not used in English.

Practical Tips to Master Collocations

Read and Listen Regularly

Pay attention to how native speakers use “take” and “have” in conversations, books, and movies.

Practice Speaking

Try to use these collocations in your daily conversations. For example, say, “I’ll take a break now” instead of “I’ll rest now.”

Write Sentences

Write your own sentences using these collocations to reinforce your learning.

Learn in Context

Memorize collocations as part of a phrase rather than individual words. For example, remember “take a picture” as a single unit.

Use Flashcards

Create flashcards with collocations on one side and meanings or examples on the other. This is a great way to test yourself.

Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Fill in the blanks with the correct collocations:

I need to ______ a break after working all day.
Let’s ______ a meal together this weekend.
Can you ______ a look at my essay?
We always ______ fun at the beach.
She decided to ______ responsibility for the project.

(Answers: 1. take, 2. have, 3. have, 4. have, 5. take)

Final Thoughts

Collocations with “take” and “have” are essential for sounding natural in English.

By learning and practicing these phrases, you’ll improve your fluency and confidence.

Remember, the more you use them, the easier they’ll become.

Start incorporating these collocations into your conversations today, and watch your English skills grow!

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