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Overtake vs. Take over

Overtake

/ˌəʊvəˈteɪk/

To move past something or someone going in the same direction, typically by using greater speed.

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/

The phrasal verb "take over" is commonly used in both informal and formal contexts, though it is slightly more prevalent in informal speech due to its versatility and ease of use. The phrase generally means to assume control or responsibility for something, whether it be a task, a position, or a company. In informal settings, you might hear it used in casual conversations, like "I'm going to take over dinner duties tonight," indicating a temporary assumption of control. In more formal contexts, "take over" is often used in business and media discussions, such as when one company takes over another through acquisition or when a new CEO takes over the leadership of a corporation. Its usage can imply both a temporary and permanent change in authority or control, depending on the situation, and it often suggests a seamless or planned transition. Despite its broad applicability, "take over" maintains a clear connotation of authority or responsibility being shifted from one entity to another.

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 involves a physical or metaphorical motion of moving past something or someone, often in a competitive context.
Take over generally implies assuming control or responsibility for something or someone.
Remember, overtake deals with surpassing in direction or speed, while take over involves acquiring or assuming roles or duties.
A vehicle can overtake another on the road, but a company can take over another in a business deal.
Think of overtake as passing by and take over as gaining control.

Master confusing words with ease

Overtake vs. Take over

Overtake

Examples:

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Take over

Examples:

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

When to use overtake:

When to use take over:

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