How to use "take after"

What Does "take after" Mean?

• The phrasal verb "take after" means to resemble someone, especially a parent or other relative, in appearance, personality, or behavior.
• The meaning is semi-idiomatic. While "take" and "after" have individual meanings, their combination creates a distinct meaning related to resemblance.
• The register is neutral. It's appropriate for both informal and formal contexts.

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: verb + particle (phrasal verb). The structure is typically: subject + take after + noun/pronoun (the person being resembled).
• Typical objects: a person (e.g., "He takes after his father") or a characteristic (e.g., "She takes after her mother in her musical ability").
• The components of this phrasal verb cannot be separated. You cannot say, "Take him after."
• What sounds unnatural: Using a different preposition (e.g., "take of"), using a different verb (e.g., "resemble after"), or separating the phrasal verb.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from take after on Ludwig.guru.

"They say dogs take after their owners"." — The Guardian - Travel

"I take after both of them"." — The New Yorker

"He always did take after Johanna's side." — The New Yorker

"I pray my son won't take after him." — The New Yorker

"I take after my mum as a player." — Independent

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/take+after

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
resemble	More formal, single-word synonym.
look like	Refers primarily to physical appearance; more informal.
be similar to	General comparison, not necessarily familial.
have a likeness to	More formal and less common.
mirror	Suggests a very strong resemblance, often in behavior.
be the spitting image of	Informal, emphasizes a very close physical resemblance.
favor	Suggests a resemblance in appearance, often facial features; somewhat old-fashioned.

Common Mistakes

• A common mistake is using the wrong preposition, such as "take of" instead of "take after."
• It's also incorrect to separate the phrasal verb, like saying "Take him after."
• Confusing it with other "take" phrasal verbs, such as "take on" or "take off", is another error.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
take after	To resemble someone, especially a family member, in appearance or character.	Subject + take after + noun/pronoun	Neutral

FAQs

Can you separate the words in the phrasal verb "take after"?

No, the phrasal verb "take after" cannot be separated. It must always be used together: subject + take after + object. Saying something like "Take him after" is grammatically incorrect.

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What's the difference between "take after" and "look like"?

While both phrases indicate resemblance, "take after" often implies a resemblance in character or personality in addition to appearance, and often suggests a familial connection. "Look like", on the other hand, typically refers only to physical appearance and doesn't necessarily imply a family relationship.

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Is it correct to say "take of" instead of "take after"?

No, it is incorrect to say "take of" when you mean to resemble someone. The correct phrasal verb is "take after". A common mistake is confusing it with similar-sounding phrasal verbs or using the wrong preposition, such as 'take of' instead of 'take after'.