When do I use "Bring" and when do I use "Take"?

Does the item move toward where you are? "Bring". Does it move away from you to somewhere else? "Take".

What is the most common mistake with "Bring" and "Take"?

"Can you bring this package to the post office?" is wrong if you are not at the post office. Direction of movement determines the word: "bring" moves toward where you are, "take" moves away from you.

How do I remember the difference between "Bring" and "Take"?

Think of where you are standing. "Bring" = carry something toward the place where the speaker or the listener is. "Take" = carry something away from here to somewhere else. If you can add "here", it is "bring" (bring it here). If you can add "there", it is "take" (take it there).

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Which one to use?Beginnerverbverb

BringvsTake

One moves something toward you, the other moves it away from you.

Side-by-side comparison

Bring

verb

"Bring" implies movement toward the speaker or the listener's location. The direction is "toward here". "Bring it to me" = carry it here to where I am.

Please bring me a glass of water.
Can you bring your notes to class tomorrow?
He brought flowers to the party.

Take

verb

"Take" implies movement away from the speaker. The direction is "away from here". "Take it with you" = carry it away from this place.

Don't forget to take your umbrella.
She took the kids to school this morning.
Take this form to the front desk.

Common mistake

•"Can you bring this package to the post office?" is wrong if you are not at the post office.
•Direction of movement determines the word: "bring" moves toward where you are, "take" moves away from you.

Trick to remember it

•Think of where you are standing. "Bring" = carry something toward the place where the speaker or the listener is.
•"Take" = carry something away from here to somewhere else.
•If you can add "here", it is "bring" (bring it here). If you can add "there", it is "take" (take it there).

Quick rule

•Does the item move toward where you are? "Bring".
•Does it move away from you to somewhere else? "Take".

Did you know?

The choice depends on the position you are describing, not on who is carrying. "Can you bring me a glass of water?" works because the glass ends up where I am. "I'll bring you a glass of water" also works, because from the listener's point of view the glass is coming toward them. "Take" would only fit if the glass were leaving the place where you both are.