These three verbs all involve moving something from one place to another, but they differ based on the starting point, the direction of movement, and the speaker’s perspective.
- Take: Move something away from the current location.
- Bring: Move something toward the speaker’s location.
- Fetch: Go to get something from another place and return with it.
Usage: starting point
The choice depends on where the movement begins.
- Take starts from the speaker’s current location and moves something elsewhere.
- Bring comes from somewhere else toward the speaker’s location.
- Fetch involves going away to find something and then coming back with it.
Usage: direction
The direction of movement relative to the speaker or listener matters.
- Take implies moving away.
- Bring implies moving closer to the speaker or listener.
- Fetch involves a round trip: going away and returning.
In the sentence “Can you ___ me a glass of water?”, which verb would correctly indicate movement toward the speaker?
bring
Bring is correct because the water moves toward the speaker’s location.
Usage: intent and context
Context and intent also influence which verb to use.
- Take is used for simply moving something somewhere else.
- Bring emphasizes movement toward the person or place you are.
- Fetch highlights the act of retrieving or going to get something.
Examples: take
- I will take my umbrella to work.
- Please take these papers to the office.
- She took her book and left.
Examples: bring
- Can you bring me a glass of water?
- He brought his laptop to the meeting.
- Bring your friends to the party.
In the sentence 'Can you ___ me a glass of water?', which verb indicates that the water should be moved toward the speaker?
bring
Bring is correct because the water is moved toward the speaker’s location.
Examples: fetch
- I’ll fetch the doctor.
- She went to fetch the kids from school.
- Can you fetch some firewood?
Summary
- Use take for moving something away from your current location.
- Use bring for moving something toward your own location.
- Use fetch for going to get something and bringing it back.
Which verb is used for moving something toward your own location?
bring
Bring is used when the movement is directed toward the speaker or the speaker’s location.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
