Hold my hand vs Take my hand

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Hold my hand

Take my hand

Top 3,000 (common)
 Hold my handTake my hand
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //teɪk maɪ hænd//🇺🇸 //teɪk maɪ hænd//
MeaningHold my hand.
Example-When we cross the street, please **take my hand**.
Register-Neutral
How common-Top 3,000 (common)
Collocations-gently take my hand, always take my hand, quickly take my hand
Common mistakes-Omitting 'my' and saying 'Take hand'., Confusing with 'Give my hand' when you mean to hold., Using in overly casual contexts.
Usage notes-Used in emotional or intimate contexts. Can be romantic, friendly, or comforting. Avoid in very formal situations.

See it in real clips

Hold my hand
Take my hand

Frequently asked questions: Hold my hand vs Take my hand

What's the difference between Hold my hand and Take my hand?

Hold my hand: Take my hand: Hold my hand.

Can I use Hold my hand and Take my hand interchangeably?

Not always. Hold my hand and Take my hand are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.