takes [to]

Question

What's the difference between takes to and takes? Consider the following

The plane takes to the skies/
Protestors took to the streets.
The singer took the stage.

In other word, how do the following sound to you? Please tell me the first thing that crosses your mind

The plane takes the skies
Protestors took the streets
The singer took to the stage.

Thanks

Optilang · Accepted Answer

New2grammarWhat's the difference between takes to and takes? Consider the following

The plane takes to the skies/ - OK
Protestors took to the streets. - OK
The singer took the stage. - OK

In other words, how do the following sound to you? Please tell me the first thing that crosses your mind

The plane takes the skies - OK
Protestors took the streets - I take this to mean the protestors took control of the streets
The singer took to the stage. OK

Thanks

New2grammar · Answer

So the first  and third examples have no difference at all with and without to?

Optilang · Answer

New2grammarSo the first and third examples have no difference at all with and without to?

Sorry I didn't comment on differences apart from the 2nd one.

Take the skies - for me means take control of the skies - the RAF tried to take the skies from the German Luftwaffe during the 2nd World War.

Take to the skies - to get airborne.

Took/took to the stage - means the same to me, although you could argue that took to means got on with/liked, as in

I never took to playing chess - I tried it, but wasn't any good at it/didn't like it. Some people take to the stage (they feel comfortable whilst on stage), others are overcome by stage-fright and are unable to perform.

Hope this helps.

New2grammar · Answer

Thanks, Optilang. I sort of get it now.

CalifJim · Answer

New2grammarthe first thing that crosses your mind

The plane takes to the skies. heads for the sky. begins to fly.

Protestors took to the streets. headed for the streets. went into the streets. flowed into the streets.
The singer took the stage. went on stage. took his/her turn to sing on the stage.

The plane takes the skies. ??? commands the skies? (more difficult to assign this one a conventional meaning)

Protestors took the street. commandeered the street. took over the street. filled the street, preventing others from using it.

The singer took to the stage. ??? headed for the stage? /// found the stage (the life of being on stage) to his/her liking*
*On this last one, compare: He took to painting like a duck (takes) to water. (found that painting was exactly what he wanted to do)
CJ

New2grammar · Answer

Thank you, CJ. Your comments seem to be consistent with Optilang's. I sort of get it now. But it hasn't become second nature to me.

CalifJim · Answer

New2grammarconsistent with Optilang's

And I didn't read Opti's answers before I gave mine, either! Surprise, surprise!
CJ

New2grammar · Answer

Great minds think alike. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

takes [to]

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