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take after

Inseparable

The verb and particle never split. The object always follows the whole phrase.

How to say it

Stress the particle, not the verb: take AFTER. Saying “TAKE after” is the clearest learner tell — the verb stays light and the particle carries the beat.

Link across the gap. The final /k/ of “take” moves onto the particle and starts its syllable: “take after” is said “ta-kafter”. Pausing between the words is what makes phrasal verbs sound recited rather than spoken.

What it means

  1. To resemble an older relative in looks or character.

    • “She really takes after her mother in terms of personality.”
    • “He takes after his grandfather — same stubbornness.”

    Similar: resemble, favour

The particle logic

after

Pursuing someone, caring for them, or looking like them.

Listen + practice

Hear “take after” spoken naturally

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Read the sentence aloud. Keep the stress on the particle and run the two words together — we’ll score every sound and flag what to work on.

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More TAKE phrasal verbs

Compare the whole family →

take off

(Of an aircraft) to leave the ground.

take up

To start a new hobby or activity.

take over

To assume control of something.

take in

To provide shelter for a person or animal.

take on

To accept a new responsibility or task.

take out

To remove something from inside a place or container.

take back

To retract something you said.

take down

To write information as you hear it.

take apart

To separate something into its parts.

take away

To remove something entirely.

take to

To begin to like someone or something.

take after — meaning, examples & how to say it