Master confusing words with ease
Overtake vs. Take over
Overtake
/ˌəʊvəˈteɪk/Examples:
The runner managed to overtake the leader in the final stretch.Economic growth in Asia may overtake that of the West by 2030.Don't speed up to overtake! It’s dangerous in bad weather.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Take over
/sɔːt ˈəʊvə/Examples:
After the merger, the new CEO will take over the company.The AI assistant will take over mundane tasks to boost efficiency.Grandma decided to take over the cooking for Thanksgiving.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Overtake typically refers to the act of moving past someone or something in motion, such as a car overtaking another on the road.
- While overtake is about catching up with and moving ahead of someone, take over involves gaining control or dominance over something.
- Take over implies assuming responsibility or control, akin to someone taking over a project or position.
- Visualize overtake by thinking of overtaking a runner on the track, which requires both speed and movement in the same direction as the runner.
- Think of take over as taking charge or control, like when an executive takes over a company.
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