This expression describes starting a hobby or activity.
The idea
Take up means begin an activity, often a hobby; it is common in everyday English. Say take up painting or take painting up, but take it up.
Examples
- I took up pottery last spring.
- My neighbours want to take up hiking.
- She took up chess during the holidays.
- Have you ever taken up a new sport?
- Our children took painting up this year.
- I tried yoga and took it up.
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Watch out
Do not use a full infinitive after this expression: say take up swimming, not take up to swim.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct option. Last year we ___ up dancing. (took / taken)
Show answer or example answer
took
took: last year calls for the irregular past.
Choose the correct option. She wants to take ___ photography. (up / off)
Show answer or example answer
up
up: this particle completes the expression for starting photography.
Choose the correct option. I enjoyed skating and took ___ up. (it / its)
Show answer or example answer
it
it: the pronoun stands between the verb and particle.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct option. Last year we ___ up dancing. (took / taken)
Choose the correct option. She wants to take ___ photography. (up / off)
Choose the correct option. I enjoyed skating and took ___ up. (it / its)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe an activity you would like to start.