Take vs. Bring

This is not so much a homonym as a dialectal difference. In dialogue, it would not create a problem. In narratives, the distinction should be maintained.

Take

“Take” implies moving something to another place, not where the speaker is.

Bring

“Bring” implies moving something to the place where the speaker is.

It is the direction that matters: to = “bring,” from = “take.”

Examples:

• “If I bring the car around, will you take me home?”
  • (“bring” to where we are; “take” from where we are)
• “You can take the cake home with you too if you bring me some eggs tomorrow.”
  • (“take” from here to where you live, “bring” to my place [without chickens] from your place [with chickens])
• “No, I can’t bring them here, but I can take them to you at work.”
  • (“bring” to where we are now, “take” from my place to where you work)
• “If you take them before noon, I’ll take them home at lunchtime.”
  • (“take” from your place to where I work, “take” them from work [Remember, I’m at your home while we talk.])

Credits: Photo by Briana Tozour, Photo by cubicroot XYZ on Unsplash