Phrasal verbs · Free lesson
Take over: become responsible for someone’s task
Your colleague is leaving for an appointment. Someone needs to handle the reception desk while she is away. You offer to take over.
Professor Scott MendozaMeaning in this lesson
take over
Begin handling an existing job or responsibility that another person handled before.
Example
“Lena took over from Amir at the reception desk.”
Amir had been handling reception. Lena became responsible for it.
The short answer
Take over can mean become responsible for work that someone else was doing. Use from for the previous person: “I’ll take over from Sam.” Use as for the role: “I’ll take over as team leader.”
Show how the responsibility changes hands.
If the task is clear, “I’ll take over” can be enough. Name it when needed: “I’ll take over the afternoon shift.” From identifies the person who handled it before. As identifies your new role. The past form is took over. A handover can be temporary; the expression alone does not say someone has left the job permanently.
Offer to handle the next part.
I need to leave at two. Can you cover the reception desk?
Yes. I’ll take over from you at two.
From you identifies the previous person. At two gives the time of the handover.
Make the handover clear
Name the responsibility
I’ll take over the afternoon shift.
Name the previous person
I’ll take over from Lena.
Name the role when useful
I’ll take over as shift supervisor.
Try it now
Check what you’ve learned.
Read all answers and explanations
“Jo took over the morning shift from Kim.” What changed?
Jo became responsible for the shift.Jo began handling the shift that Kim handled before. A company purchase is not described.
Complete: “I’ll take over ___ Nina when she goes on leave.”
fromFrom introduces the person whose responsibility you will assume.
Complete: “He took over ___ team leader last month.”
asAs introduces the role: as team leader. From would need the previous person, such as from Ana.
Put it into practice
Arrange a clear handover.
Mina manages the reception desk until two. You are available from two until four and agree to handle it during that time.
- Mina
Could you handle reception when I leave at two?
See a model answer
- Mina
Could you handle reception when I leave at two?
- You
Yes. I’ll take over from you at two.
- Mina
How long can you cover?
- You
I can handle reception from two until four.
The first reply describes a transfer of responsibility. The second makes the limits of your offer clear.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Does take over mean the change is permanent?
No. The surrounding information tells us how long it lasts. You can take over for a short shift or begin a lasting role.
“I’ll take over while you have lunch.”
Can from and as appear in the same sentence?
Yes. They add different details: from identifies the previous person, and as identifies the role.
“Ravi took over from Ella as project coordinator.”
Take it into your day
Use take over when a task is passing from one person to another. Add the task, person or start time when your listener needs it.
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