To have a bath OR to take a bath / To have a shower OR to take a shower

[linguaholic]

I am always confused about the use of have/take when it comes to the nouns shower/bath.

Could someone please explain the correct use with those? Is it to have/take a shower and is it to have/take a bath?

:wacky:

[Denis Hard]

Both are grammatically correct but it's customary for Americans to use take a bath/take a shower while Brits and all users of Brit English prefer have a bath/have a shower. Usage therefore depends on the dialect of English you're using at a particular time.

[linguaholic]

That pretty much answers my question. Thank you! Thank you for clearing things up!

[sos]

its to have a bath because the water is somewhat quantified in the bath-tub but when it comes to shower it's taking a shower since the water is infinite :grin:

[qaximor]

I don't know what is grammatically correct but what sounds good in my ears is Take a bath and Take a shower. I never heard someone saying having a shower, but I have heard "having a bath". It doesn't matter really it makes sense both ways haha

[caparica007]

It's pretty confusing to me, it's probably like Denis says, American or British ways of speaking. If I would say it though, I'd say take a bath or shower and not have a bath or shower, maybe is the influence of the American TV shows.

[silv31]

It's the exact same thing. You don't have to feel confused. Both of them are grammatically correct and both are acceptable. According to what I've noticed, Americans use "take" a bath and "take" a shower, while us Europeans prefer using "have" a bath and "have" a shower. I hope I helped a bit

[apexa1]

Yeah either is fine, it depends really on where you're referring to. In australia we use take a bath/shower

[lovemwaf]

Taking a bath is the phrase that i would go with as to me it seems to be more grammatically correct than having one. I would say that having one would most likely implying that you probably bought one or something along those lines or owning one.

[misty1987]

As others have said, I think both are grammatically correct. Im a british girl and I would say "to have a bath" but "to take a shower".  Guess it's a case of personal preference on what sounds right.

[justusforus]

I enjoyed reading all the comments, but it seems to me that they all are "correct" and are a matter of preference and regional use.  I would not be concerned with the usage since I think all the forms mentioned would convey the idea.

[sgreenwood]

When you say "have", it implies the possession of something. So when you say " have a shower or bath", it sounds like you own a shower or bath. When you say "take", that is more of an action word. You are taking a bath or shower, rather than possessing it. On the other hand, take could also sound like you are stealing the bath or shower.... :confused:

[xbrix]

It's mostly said to take a bath, or to take a shower. For example, can I take a shower? But you will also sometimes heard it said as to have a shower or to have a bath. For example, can I have a shower? It doesn't sound very good to me, but it is grammatically correct.

[dorannmwin]

I don't know if it is completely proper, but the only way that I've ever heard anyone say it is "take a shower" or "take a bath." The only time that I've ever heard "have" in context with bathing would be "I have to shower/bathe."