give
give — verb
1. to place something where another person can take it, so that they have it for th
to place something where another person can take it, so that they have it for their own use, whether as a gift, a loan, or just for a short while
Lakshmi gave her teacher a thank-you card on the last day of school.
ditransitive: give + indirect object + direct object
Could you give me that blue notebook on the top shelf, please?
request pattern: could you give [someone] [something]
The cashier gave a receipt to each customer who finished paying.
give + something + to + someone
Hugo's grandmother gave him a warm blanket for the cold winter months.
give + indirect object + direct object (gift)
- give + a gift
- give + a present
- give + money
- give + a card
- give + food
- give + a receipt
Grammar Patterns
give + someone + something
give + something + to + someone
Usage Note
This is the most basic physical sense of 'give'. Unlike sense 5 (TELL), the object here is always a physical item or something that can be literally handed over.
Common Mistakes
2. to pay a person a specific amount of money, especially as a wage, a price, or in
to pay a person a specific amount of money, especially as a wage, a price, or in exchange for work or goods
The restaurant gave each waiter a bonus at the end of the year.
give + someone + money (payment for work)
Ziad gave the shopkeeper eight hundred dollars for the used motorcycle.
give + money + for + something (purchase price)
How much did the museum give for that ancient vase at the auction?
question: how much + give + for
The company gave the photographer fifteen thousand dollars for the wedding album project.
give + someone + amount + for + work
- give + a salary
- give + a bonus
- give + an allowance
- give + cash
- give + payment
- charge
to ask for money instead of paying it
Grammar Patterns
give + someone + money
give + money + for + something
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (HAND OVER): here the money is given as required payment, not as a gift or simple transfer. The preposition 'for' often introduces what is being purchased.
Common Mistakes
3. to freely hand over things you own — such as cash, possessions, or hours of your
to freely hand over things you own — such as cash, possessions, or hours of your day — so that other people or a charity can benefit from them
Every month, Ife gives part of her salary to a local food bank.
give + money + to + charity
Sivan gave her Saturday mornings to teaching English at the community centre for two years.
give + time + to + cause (long-term commitment)
Neighbours across the city gave generously after the flood destroyed so many homes.
give + adverb (generously) in charity context
The retired doctor gave his medical skills to a free clinic in the countryside.
give + skills/effort + to + cause
- give + money
- give + time
- give + effort
- give + generously
- give + to charity
- donate
more formal; often used for money given to organizations
- contribute
suggests joining others in giving; common in group efforts
- volunteer
specifically about giving time or effort, not money
- withhold
to keep back what could be given
Grammar Patterns
give + money/time + to + someone/something
Common Mistakes
4. to use a large amount of your time, attention, or energy on a particular task, p
to use a large amount of your time, attention, or energy on a particular task, problem, or activity
Lakshmi gave all her attention to finishing the science project before the deadline.
give + attention + to + task
The team gave the problem careful thought before making a final decision.
give + thought + to + problem
Hugo gave his best effort to every practice session during the season.
give + effort + to + activity
The head nurse gave most of her energy to training the new staff members.
give + energy + to + people/task
- give + attention
- give + thought
- give + effort
- give + energy
- give + time
- neglect
to fail to give enough attention or care
Grammar Patterns
give + energy/attention/thought + to + something
Usage Note
The direct object is always an abstract noun like 'attention', 'thought', 'effort', 'energy', or 'time'. This sense cannot take a concrete physical object — compare sense 1 (HAND OVER).
Common Mistakes
5. to tell someone facts, news, or an explanation so that they learn about somethin
to tell someone facts, news, or an explanation so that they learn about something
The teacher gave the class the exam results on Friday morning.
ditransitive: give + someone + information
Could you give me directions to the nearest train station, please?
request: give + someone + directions
The news report gave a clear explanation of why the flight was delayed.
give + explanation (abstract information)
Niran gave his mother a full account of what happened at school that day.
give + account (narrative description)
- give + information
- give + news
- give + an answer
- give + advice
- give + details
- give + an example
- withhold
to keep information from someone
Grammar Patterns
give + someone + information
give + details/answer/reason
Usage Note
Unlike sense 1 (HAND OVER), the object here is always information or a message — never a physical item. Common objects include 'answer', 'news', 'reason', 'advice', 'details', 'example', 'opinion'.
Common Mistakes
6. to officially order someone to spend a particular period of time in prison as pu
to officially order someone to spend a particular period of time in prison as punishment for a crime
The judge gave the thief a prison sentence of three years for the robbery.
ditransitive: give + someone + sentence length
Christopher was given an eighteen-month term for the crime of breaking into cars.
passive: be given + prison term + for + crime
The court gave the company a heavy fine instead of sending anyone to prison.
give + fine (alternative punishment)
The judge gave the young driver a community service order for the traffic accident.
give + non-prison penalty
- give + a sentence
- give + a term
- give + time
- give + a fine
- give + years
Grammar Patterns
give + someone + prison term
be given + term + for + crime
Usage Note
Commonly used in the passive voice ('he was given five years'). The indirect object is the person being punished. This sense is restricted to formal legal contexts and judges or courts as the subject.
7. to let someone have a portion of your time, often by pausing your own activity s
to let someone have a portion of your time, often by pausing your own activity so they can ask a question, get help, or finish something
Give me a moment to check the schedule, please.
give + someone + time phrase
The teacher gave the class ten extra minutes to finish the quiz.
give + someone + time + to-infinitive
Can you give this report another hour before you leave the office?
give + something + time period
The nurse gave the patient a few more minutes to rest before the examination.
- give someone time
- give a moment
- give a minute
- give an hour
- give time to
- deny
refuse to give time someone asked for
Grammar Patterns
give + someone + time phrase
give + time + to + activity
8. to guess or calculate how much longer a thing or situation will remain usable or
to guess or calculate how much longer a thing or situation will remain usable or effective
The weather report gives the storm another two hours before it moves away.
give + subject + time period + before clause
The mechanic gave my old car only six more months before it needs major repairs.
Most experts give the company about a year before it runs out of money.
give + someone/something + time until event
The doctor gave the patient roughly six months to recover fully from the surgery.
- give something time
- give ... months
- give ... years
- give something before
Grammar Patterns
give + something + time period + before/to-infinitive
Usage Note
Unlike sense 7 (PROVIDE), this sense expresses a prediction about remaining duration rather than allocating time. The subject is usually a non-personal source such as a weather report, mechanic, or expert. A 'before' clause or 'to'-infinitive often follows to describe the expected result.
9. to make someone experience a feeling, a physical condition, or a result — such a
to make someone experience a feeling, a physical condition, or a result — such as causing shock, passing on a cold, or creating an opportunity
The news of the earthquake gave everyone in the room a terrible shock.
give + someone + feeling noun (shock)
The kindergarten teacher gave half the class a bad cold during flu season.
give + someone + illness
The long walk up the steep hill gave me a terrible headache afterwards.
Working from home gave the team a much better sense of freedom and balance.
give + someone + abstract noun phrase
- give someone a shock
- give someone a cold
- give someone pleasure
- give someone trouble
- give someone an idea
- prevent
stop something from happening; opposite of causing
Grammar Patterns
give + someone + a feeling/result/illness
Usage Note
Often takes an indirect object (the person affected) before the direct object (the feeling, illness, or result). The direct object is typically an abstract noun — not a physical item.
Common Mistakes
10. if you are given to understand something, someone has told you or led you to bel
if you are given to understand something, someone has told you or led you to believe it is true, often when the information is unofficial or communicated indirectly
I was given to understand that the meeting would begin at ten o'clock sharp.
passive: be given to understand + that-clause
The employees were given to understand that the factory would not close down after all.
We were given to understand that the train tickets were fully refundable if cancelled.
passive: be given to understand + that-clause
The passengers were given to understand that the flight would depart within the hour.
- be given to understand that
- was given to understand
- be led to believe
similar formality; can suggest the information might be misleading
- understand
less formal; does not imply someone told you
Grammar Patterns
be given to understand (that) + clause
Usage Note
Almost always in the passive voice. The subject is the person receiving the information, not the person giving it. Often implies the information was communicated unofficially or with some uncertainty.
Common Mistakes
11. to express a personal estimate or belief about a quantity, distance, age, or ide
to express a personal estimate or belief about a quantity, distance, age, or identity, without presenting it as a definite fact
I give it to be about two hours by car from here to the coast.
give it to be + distance/time estimate
Élise gave it to be roughly fifty people at the outdoor concert last night.
The old guide gave it to be the oldest bridge still standing in the county.
give it to be + noun phrase (identity/age)
Michael gave it to be around three miles from the station to the hotel.
- give it to be
Grammar Patterns
give it to be + noun phrase / clause
Usage Note
A somewhat formal and dated pattern, more common in British English than American. The word 'it' is a fixed grammatical element — it does not refer to anything specific. The whole phrase functions like 'reckon' or 'estimate'.
12. to do something that is named by a noun that follows the verb — for example, you
to do something that is named by a noun that follows the verb — for example, you can give a speech, give a hug, give a reply, or give a kiss, instead of using the verbs 'speak,' 'hug,' or 'reply'
The mayor gave a speech at the opening ceremony of the new library.
give + a/an + action noun (give a speech)
Dewi gave her mother a warm hug before getting on the morning train.
give + someone + action noun (give someone a hug)
Please give my best wishes to your family when you see them this weekend.
The young student gave a clear and honest answer to the teacher's question.
give + a/an + noun + to + someone
- give a speech
- give a hug
- give a kiss
- give an answer
- give a smile
- give a reply
- give a performance
- give a shout
- give regards
- give a wave
- perform
more formal; used for planned or public actions
Grammar Patterns
give + a/an + action noun
give + someone + action noun
Usage Note
This is a 'light verb' pattern: give carries little meaning by itself, and the noun carries the real action. For example, 'give a hug' means the same as 'hug', and 'give an answer' means the same as 'answer'. The person who receives the action usually comes right after give.
Common Mistakes
13. to organise and carry out a social event such as a party, dinner, or celebration
to organise and carry out a social event such as a party, dinner, or celebration, taking care of the food, drink, and arrangements for guests
The school is giving a farewell party for the retiring head teacher next Friday.
give + a + [event type] + for + [person]
Mira gave a small dinner party to welcome her new neighbours.
Christopher's parents are giving a barbecue in their garden this Saturday.
Every December, the local church gives a Christmas lunch for elderly residents.
give + [event] + for + [beneficiary group]
- give a party
- give a dinner
- give a reception
- give a barbecue
- give a concert
Grammar Patterns
give + noun phrase (party / dinner / reception)
Usage Note
The object is always an event noun (party, dinner, reception, concert). This sense does NOT mean 'to physically hand something to someone.'
14. to try doing something, especially an activity you have not done before, to see
to try doing something, especially an activity you have not done before, to see if you like it or can succeed at it.
Nkechi decided to give yoga a try after her doctor suggested it.
give + [activity] + a try
Alessia had never played chess before, but she agreed to give it a go.
give + it + a go
Why do not you give cycling to work a shot for a few weeks?
give + [activity] + a shot
The manager asked the team to give the new software a try before deciding.
give + [thing] + a try
- give something a try
- give it a go
- give something a shot
- give something a whirl
Grammar Patterns
give + noun phrase + a try / a shot
give + it + a try / a go
Usage Note
Always used with a following expression like 'a try', 'a go', or 'a shot'. The object can be an activity (give yoga a try) or the pronoun 'it' (give it a go). Cannot be used without this complement.
Common Mistakes
15. at a formal dinner or celebration, to invite everyone present to lift their glas
at a formal dinner or celebration, to invite everyone present to lift their glasses as a sign of respect for a particular person or to mark a special event.
The best man gave a heartfelt toast to the newly married couple at the reception.
give + a toast + to + [person]
Liang stood up and gave a toast to his grandmother's ninetieth birthday.
At the farewell dinner, the director gave a toast to the team's achievements.
Please raise your glasses and give a toast to our honoured guests.
raise your glasses and give a toast to
- give a toast
- give a toast to
- give a toast in honour of
Grammar Patterns
give + a toast + to + [person]
give + [person] + a toast
Usage Note
Common at formal dinners, weddings, and banquets. The pattern is 'give + a toast + to + person/occasion'. A shorter alternative is 'propose a toast', which sounds slightly more traditional.
16. to bend, stretch, move, or break under physical force or weight, instead of stay
to bend, stretch, move, or break under physical force or weight, instead of staying rigid or intact
The old wooden chair gave under Tomás's weight, and he crashed to the floor.
give + under + [weight / pressure]
Devika felt the climbing rope give slightly as she leaned back to rest.
The ice on the pond gave with a loud crack, and water rushed over their boots.
give + with + [sound / force]
Cheap trainers often give at the seams after only a few months of daily use.
give + at + [specific point / location]
- give under the weight
- give at the seams
- give with a crack
- give under pressure
Grammar Patterns
give + (under / with / after) + noun phrase
Usage Note
Intransitive only — the thing that fails is the subject. Frequently used with a prepositional phrase indicating the cause (under the weight, with a crack, at the seams). Cannot take a direct object.
Common Mistakes
17. in sports such as tennis, cricket, and football, for an official to announce a r
in sports such as tennis, cricket, and football, for an official to announce a ruling during play — for example, whether a competitor is out or safe, or whether the ball was inside the playing area.
The umpire gave the tennis player out after a close call at the baseline.
give + [player] + out (cricket/tennis)
The referee gave a penalty kick when the defender handled the ball.
The line judge gave the serve in, but Brooke was sure it had landed outside.
give + [ball] + in/out
With seconds left, the referee gave the goal and the stadium erupted in cheers.
give + a goal / a basket / a point
- give someone out
- give the ball in
- give a goal
- give a penalty
- give a free kick
Grammar Patterns
give + [player / ball] + [adjective] (out / in / good / safe)
Usage Note
The object is always a sports-related noun (a player, the ball, a goal), followed by an adjective describing the call (out, in, good, safe, not out). The pattern is 'give + noun + adjective' — e.g. give the batter out.
18. to stop opposing someone or something and finally agree to what they want, after
to stop opposing someone or something and finally agree to what they want, after a period of argument or resistance.
After three hours of negotiation, the manager gave way and accepted the team's proposal.
give way + and + [agreement]
The children begged until their grandmother gave in and bought them ice cream.
give in + and + [action after agreeing]
The union refused to give ground on the workers' safety demands during the talks.
give ground + on + [issue]
Kian's parents eventually gave in and let him stay up late to watch the film.
The government refused to give way to the protesters' demands despite weeks of demonstrations.
give way + to + [person / demand]
- give in to
- give way to
- give ground on
- refuse to give in
- eventually give in
- resist
to keep opposing something and refuse to change your position
- stand firm
phrasal; to refuse to change your opinion or decision despite pressure
Grammar Patterns
give + in / way / ground + (to + [person / demand])
Usage Note
Often used with a particle: give in (surrender to persuasion), give way (yield under pressure), give ground (concede a position in an argument). All three imply a change from refusal to acceptance.
Common Mistakes
give away
phrasal verbTo give something to someone without asking for payment.
The store is giving away free samples of the new product.
She gave away all her old clothes to charity.
give back
phrasal verbTo return something to the person who owns it or gave it to you.
Please give back the book you borrowed from me.
He gave back the money he found to its owner.
give in
phrasal verbTo finally agree to do something you did not want to do, or to stop fighting.
After hours of negotiation, the company gave in to the workers' demands.
The child begged for candy until his mother gave in.
give off
phrasal verbTo produce something such as a smell, heat, or light.
The flowers give off a sweet fragrance in the evening.
The old radiator gives off a lot of heat.
give onto
phrasal verbIf a door or window gives onto a place, it leads directly to that place.
The balcony door gives onto a beautiful garden.
The kitchen window gives onto the street.
give on to
phrasal verbSame as 'give onto': if a door or window gives on to a place, it leads directly to that place.
The back door gives on to a small patio.
The living room windows give on to the park.
give out
phrasal verbTo distribute something to a group of people, or to stop functioning.
The teacher gave out the exam papers to the students.
After ten years, the car's engine finally gave out.
give over
phrasal verbTo stop doing something annoying, or to hand something to someone.
Give over making that noise! I'm trying to work.
He gave over the keys to the new owner.
give over to
phrasal verbTo use something for a particular purpose, or to allow yourself to be completely controlled by a feeling.
The whole weekend was given over to cleaning the house.
She gave herself over to grief after the loss.
give up
phrasal verbTo stop trying to do something, or to stop doing or having something.
After many attempts, he gave up learning the piano.
The doctor told her to give up smoking.
give up on
phrasal verbTo stop hoping that someone or something will improve or succeed.
The teacher never gave up on her most difficult students.
Don't give up on your dreams; keep working hard.
give yourself over to
phrasal verbTo allow yourself to be completely controlled by a feeling or activity.
After retirement, he gave himself over to painting.
She gave herself over to despair after the accident.
give yourself up to
phrasal verbSame as 'give yourself over to': to allow yourself to be completely controlled by a feeling or activity.
He gave himself up to the joy of the moment.
She gave herself up to the study of ancient languages.
don’t give me that
idiomYou say this when you do not believe what someone is telling you.
‘I forgot my homework again.’ ‘Oh, don't give me that!’
Don't give me that excuse about the traffic being bad.
give and take
idiomIn a relationship, both people must sometimes accept the other's wishes and give up some of their own.
A good marriage requires both partners to give and take.
In any friendship, you have to learn to give and take.
If someone attacks or criticizes you, you respond with equal strength.
Maya can give as good as she gets in any argument.
When the other team insulted him, he gave as good as he got.
To clap your hands to show that you like or approve of someone.
Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for our guest speaker!
The crowd gave it up for the winning team.
You say this to show that you strongly prefer one thing or person over another.
Give me a quiet beach any day over a noisy city.
Give me Diego's cooking any time over fast food.
Used to say that a number or amount is not exact but close.
The journey takes two hours, give or take a few minutes.
There were fifty people at the party, give or take.
To cause someone to think that something is true, often without saying it directly.
I was given to understand that the meeting was cancelled.
Her tone gave me to believe she was not interested.
To punish or criticize someone severely because they did something wrong.
When Dad found out, he gave me what for.
The teacher gave the students what for after they cheated.
I give you…
idiomUsed to introduce someone you want people to drink a toast to.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the bride and groom!
Please raise your glasses; I give you our honored guest.
I/I’ll give you that
idiomYou say this when you admit that something someone said is true.
You were right about the weather; I'll give you that.
He's not the best student, but he works hard, I give you that.
what gives?
idiomUsed to ask what is happening or what the problem is.
Mia walked in late, and Tom asked, "What gives?"
The computer keeps crashing. What gives with this machine?
give — noun
1. the ability of an object or material to stretch, bend, or move slightly when pre
the ability of an object or material to stretch, bend, or move slightly when pressure or force is applied to it, without breaking or staying bent permanently
Romi liked the sandals because the soles had enough give to absorb each footstep.
uncountable noun: have + enough give + to-infinitive
The old wooden floorboards had some give underfoot, which made the room feel springy.
uncountable noun: have some give + preposition
When Pim pressed on the mattress, there was barely any give in the firm foam.
there was barely any give + in + noun phrase
A climbing rope needs just enough give to catch a fall safely without snapping.
the right amount of give + to-infinitive
The yoga mat's give kept Mizuki's knees from hurting during floor poses.
- enough give
- some give
- a little give
- a lot of give
- the right amount of give
- barely any give
- give in the [material/object]
- flexibility
most direct synonym; slightly more formal and used in both physical and abstract contexts
- elasticity
emphasises the ability to return to original shape after stretching; more technical
- stretch
informal; focuses on the act of extending rather than the inherent quality
Grammar Patterns
there is some give + in + noun
Usage Note
Uncountable — no plural form. Most common in informal or practical descriptions of materials and objects. Often appears with quantifiers such as 'some', 'enough', 'a little', 'barely any', or 'the right amount of'.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four words involve transferring something to someone, but they differ in purpose and register. 'Give' is the most general and neutral word — you can give a gift, give information, or give help in any context. 'Provide' is more formal and suggests making something available because it is needed or expected (e.g. 'The school provides free lunch'). 'Offer' implies that the receiver can choose whether to accept (e.g. 'She offered me a cup of tea'). 'Donate' is specific to giving money, goods, or time to a charity or cause, without expecting anything in return (e.g. 'They donated books to the library'). Use 'give' for everyday situations, 'provide' for official or service contexts, 'offer' when a choice exists, and 'donate' for charitable giving.
Common collocations
Nouns
- give a gift
- give a present
- give money
- give time
- give attention
- give advice
- give a speech
- give a party
- give permission
- give thanks
Adverbs
- give generously
- give freely
- give willingly
- give gladly
- give reluctantly
- give away
Phrases
- give someone something (ditransitive pattern: 'Give me the book')
- give something to someone (prepositional pattern: 'Give the book to me')
- give it a try / give it a go (informal: attempt)
- give way to (yield / be replaced by)
- give rise to (formal: cause)
Prepositions
- give to
- give for
- give of (formal: 'give of your time')
- give in (yield)
- give up (surrender/stop)
Etymology
The word 'give' comes from Old English 'giefan' (to give, bestow, deliver), from a Germanic root that also produced Dutch 'geven' and German 'geben'. Its history goes back to an ancient Indo-European root *ghabh- meaning 'to give or take'. That same root also gave us the word 'gift'.