take a bath vs bathe

[curiousmarcus]

Excluding showering, do speakers of AmE and BE have differing preferences on the following?

1. Are you done taking a bath?
2. Are you done bathing?

1. Have you taken a bath?
2. Have you bathed?

1. Did you take a bath yesterday?
2. Did you bathe yesterday?

 

[emsr2d2]

In BrE, we "have" a bath, rather than "take" but of course we understand what "take a bath" means. All 6 of your sentences are grammatically correct. I find the use of the verb "to bathe" rather formal for this context. In addition, "to bathe" can mean "to swim in the sea".

My BrE versions of your 3 sentences would be:

1. Have you finished having a bath? (or "Have you finished your bath?")
2. Have you had a bath?
3. Did you have a bath yesterday?

 

[curiousmarcus]

I too was thinking bathe might be too formal.

How about this context:

1. The nanny is bathing little Johnny.
2. The nanny is helping little Johnny take a bath.
3. The nanny is giving little Johnny a bath.

Note: Johnny is a toddler who, although incapable to taking a bath himself, could very ably soap and scrub himself.

1. I'm going to bathe the dog.
2. I'm going to give the dog a bath.