What Does It Mean?
The phrase “have taken to doing something” is used in English to describe a recent habit or behavior that someone has started and now does regularly—often with a sense of enthusiasm or natural ease.
It typically uses the present perfect tense (“have/has taken”) combined with the preposition “to” followed by a gerund (verb + -ing).
Structure
- Subject + have/has + taken to + verb-ing
Examples:
- She has taken to jogging every morning.
- They have taken to cooking together on weekends.
- He has taken to playing the guitar since last month.
Common Contexts
This expression often implies:
- A new routine or hobby
- A positive or noticeable change in behavior
- An activity adopted willingly or enthusiastically
Note: It’s usually not used for negative or forced habits (e.g., “He has taken to smoking” sounds odd unless context suggests a surprising or ironic tone).
Tips for Learners
- Don’t confuse “taken to” with “taken up.” While similar, “taken up” emphasizes starting a new activity, whereas “taken to” emphasizes developing a liking or habit.
- Always follow “to” with a verb in the -ing form (gerund), not the infinitive.