The rule here is very simple: * You use 'bring' and 'come' to refer to a movement TOWARDS a point of reference or the person you are speaking to. * You use ''take' and 'go' to refer to a movement AWAY FROM a point of reference or the person you are speaking to. Compare these two situations. 1. You find a wallet in the street, and say to your friend: 'Should I take it to the police station?' 'That's a good idea.' 'OK, I'll go now'. The movement is AWAY from the person you are speaking to. 1. You find a wallet in the street, and you phone the police station. You say to the police officer on the phone: 'Should I bring it to the police station?' 'That's a good idea.' 'OK, I'll come now'. The movement is TOWARDS the person you are speaking to. I hope that helps.

Bring > When you're in the place where you want someone get something for you Take > When you have to move from one place to another - Brother, could you bring me my laptop? It's on the desk -Ok, I'll take it to you in just a moment.

You're best guess is to return it as soon as possible. Imagine if you lost your wallet, you'd want it returned back pretty quick wouldn't you?Also being a good Samaritan wouldn't hurt either!(:

You take the wallet from where you found it and bring it to the police station. You take a cigarette out a the pack and smoke it. When you go on a picnic, you bring many things. I hope you can see the difference. That being said, yes, Americans often use the words as if they are same. I always tell people learning a language, there nothing wrong with speaking correctly. The meanings of the words are similar and may be seen as overlapping. "I will take some food with me". - you have taken it from somewhere and are bringing it with you. Does that help you understand why we sometimes use them as the same? Perhaps, it can be considered that the action of bringing is assumed after you take it

An interesting point, Richard. I had noticed that the usage is slightly different between GB and US English. And yes, this rule always holds good in British English - any deviation from it sounds 'wrong' to the British ear. What is worth mentioning, though, is that the 'across the pond' distinction isn't as simple as it looks. In Irish English, 'bring' is used in many situations where the British would use 'take'. My theory is that this is what influenced US English - massive Irish immigration, also reinforced by eg Hispanic English. Do you think this is likely? And by the way, I'm Susan, and very much a 'she.' :)