Writers' Words: Bring and Take
Confusion is growing about the use of "bring" and "take". And no wonder. I was watching Hide and Seek last night. The actors consistently misused "bring" when they meant "take". They were in the country, talking about returning to New York with the character played by Dakota Fanning. So, the woman wanted to "take" the child back--except she said "bring". The father suggested waiting two weeks to see if there was improvement and if not, he would "bring" her back (from where they were). No, no, no! If I am HERE, I take something THERE. If I am in San Diego and you are visiting Paris, however, I might ask you to bring me back some perfume (Chanel No. 5, preferably). Bring it here. Take it there. That's the shorthand to remember.
posted by Georganna Hancock M.S. | 6:52 AM
2 Comments:
Your example is totally clear and the distinction is important: it refers not only to one action vs. another, but speaks directly to a person's intention.
But the verbs--verbs!--have served as synonyms for as long as I can remember. So much so that I personally have almost stopped noticing the "bring" and "take" confusion.
Few rather than less, however, grates on me every time. And adapt and adopt: except for similar spellings, I'm not sure why the meanings get confused. But then, I know writers, with far greater professional success than I can hope to achieve, who truly wonder why I fuss about the difference (and we're not talking typos) between "wait" and "weight." A re-routed jet is a wait off their shoulders; to many, that makes more sense than some nonexistent "weight."
Thank you for making a great point!
Kathleen - keep fussing!
I'm living in what we now call "Little Miami", Southwest Florida. Between one of the worst school systems in the country (Lee County) with federally forced racial integration and one in four students speaking no English - it's almost criminal if you speak English at all. I've actually been accused of trying to humiliate people because I use words they've never heard of. Isn't that special? I'm not some elitist intellectual - I didn't even get to go to college because I had to help run the family business when my mother became ill. The cashier at our Wal-mart won't acknowledge me because I don't speak Spanglish.
There was a time when only noblemen and kings were allowed the privelege of knowing how to read and write. Books were owned by the rich and the rarest of treasures.
We need to value our language and hold our Writer's to the highest standards!
blessings,
julia
www.ablindingheart.com
tips and resources for writers
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