Common Mistakes with the Verb ‘bring’
The verb bring is one of the most frequently misused verbs in English, even by advanced learners. The core mistake is confusing bring with take, but errors also occur with its past forms (brought vs. brang) and in phrasal verb combinations. This guide directly addresses each common error, explains the correct usage with clear examples, and helps you use bring naturally in writing, conversation, and email.
Quick Answer: When to Use ‘bring’ vs. ‘take’
Bring means to carry something toward the speaker or the point of action. Take means to carry something away from the speaker or the point of action. Think of direction: bring it here (toward me), take it there (away from me). The past tense of bring is brought (never brang or brung).
Understanding the Core Direction Rule
The most common mistake with bring is using it when take is correct. The rule is based on the speaker’s location or the reference point in the conversation.
When to Use ‘bring’
Use bring when the movement is toward the speaker, the listener, or the place where the action is happening.
- “Please bring your notebook to class tomorrow.” (toward the classroom where the speaker will be)
- “Can you bring me a glass of water?” (toward the speaker)
- “She brought her friend to the party.” (toward the party location)
When to Use ‘take’
Use take when the movement is away from the speaker or the current location.
- “Please take this book to the library.” (away from the speaker)
- “He took his lunch to work.” (away from home)
- “I will take the documents to the meeting.” (away from the office)
Comparison Table: ‘bring’ vs. ‘take’
| Situation | Correct Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Moving something toward you | bring | “Bring the report to my desk.” |
| Moving something away from you | take | “Take the report to his desk.” |
| Inviting someone to your location | bring | “Bring your friend to the party.” |
| Going with someone to another place | take | “Take your friend to the airport.” |
| Past tense (toward) | brought | “She brought snacks to the office.” |
| Past tense (away) | took | “He took snacks to the park.” |
Natural Examples of ‘bring’ in Context
Here are examples showing how bring works in different situations, including formal and informal settings.
Informal Conversation
- “Don’t forget to bring your umbrella. It looks like rain.”
- “I’ll bring dessert to the barbecue.”
- “Why didn’t you bring your phone?”
Formal Email or Writing
- “Please bring the signed contract to our meeting on Friday.”
- “The consultant brought valuable insights to the project.”
- “We kindly ask attendees to bring their own laptops.”
Past Tense Examples
- “He brought his wife to the company dinner.”
- “They brought good news from the headquarters.”
- “I brought my camera, but I forgot the memory card.”
Common Mistakes with ‘bring’
Below are the most frequent errors learners make, along with corrections and explanations.
Mistake 1: Using ‘brang’ or ‘brung’ as Past Tense
Incorrect: “She brang her dog to the park.”
Correct: “She brought her dog to the park.”
Explanation: Bring is an irregular verb. Its past tense and past participle are both brought. Forms like brang or brung are nonstandard and considered incorrect in formal and informal English.
Mistake 2: Confusing ‘bring’ with ‘take’
Incorrect: “Can you bring this package to the post office?” (if the speaker is not going to the post office)
Correct: “Can you take this package to the post office?”
Explanation: If the movement is away from the speaker, use take. Use bring only when the movement is toward the speaker or the destination where the speaker will be.
Mistake 3: Using ‘bring’ with ‘here’ and ‘take’ with ‘there’ Incorrectly
Incorrect: “Bring that book there.”
Correct: “Take that book there.” or “Bring that book here.”
Explanation: Here pairs with bring (toward the speaker). There pairs with take (away from the speaker).
Mistake 4: Forgetting the Past Participle Form
Incorrect: “I have bring my lunch.”
Correct: “I have brought my lunch.”
Explanation: The past participle of bring is also brought. Use it with auxiliary verbs like have, has, or had.
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes bring is not the best word choice. Here are alternatives for specific contexts.
Formal or Professional Writing
- Submit – Use when delivering documents or reports. “Please submit the application by Friday.”
- Provide – Use when offering something abstract. “She provided excellent feedback.”
- Present – Use for formal introductions. “He will present his findings at the conference.”
Casual or Spoken English
- Fetch – Use when going to get something and returning. “Can you fetch my keys from the car?”
- Carry – Use when emphasizing the physical act. “I’ll carry the groceries inside.”
Nuance Note
In British English, bring is sometimes used more loosely in informal speech, but the direction rule remains standard. In American English, the rule is strictly followed in both formal and informal contexts. When in doubt, ask yourself: “Is the movement toward me or the main location?” If yes, use bring. If no, use take.
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Choose the correct word (bring or take) or the correct form of bring for each sentence. Answers are below.
- Please ________ your passport to the interview tomorrow. (toward the interview location)
- I ________ my laptop to the repair shop yesterday. (away from home)
- She has ________ her children to the park many times. (past participle)
- ________ this letter to the manager’s office, please. (away from the speaker)
Answers
- bring – The interview location is where the action is happening.
- took – The movement is away from home.
- brought – Past participle of bring.
- Take – The movement is away from the speaker.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is ‘bringed’ ever correct?
No. Bringed is always incorrect. The correct past tense and past participle is brought. This is a common error among children and non-native speakers, but standard English only uses brought.
2. Can I use ‘bring’ in formal emails?
Yes, bring is perfectly acceptable in formal emails when the direction rule is followed. For example, “Please bring the quarterly report to the meeting” is appropriate. For more formal alternatives, consider submit or present.
3. What is the difference between ‘bring’ and ‘fetch’?
Bring implies movement toward the speaker without specifying the action of going to get the item. Fetch implies going to a location, getting the item, and returning with it. For example, “Fetch the mail” means go to the mailbox and return. “Bring the mail” simply means carry it toward the speaker.
4. Does the rule change in questions?
No. The direction rule applies to questions as well. “Can you bring me some water?” (toward the speaker) vs. “Can you take this to the kitchen?” (away from the speaker). Always consider the speaker’s location or the reference point.
Final Tips for Using ‘bring’ Correctly
To avoid common mistakes, remember these three points:
- Direction matters: Use bring for movement toward you or the main location; use take for movement away.
- Past tense is irregular: Always use brought for past tense and past participle.
- Practice with real situations: When you speak or write, mentally check the direction. This habit will make the correct choice automatic.
For more help with verb forms, visit our Verb Forms Explained section. To review other common verb errors, see our Common Verb Mistakes category. If you have questions, feel free to contact us.
