give
/ɡɪv/
To present something to someone else, either physically or abstractly, often as a transfer of possession, responsibility, or information.
Base Form: give
3rd Person Singular: gives
Past Simple: gave
Past Participle: given
Verb Type: Regular (meaning core use), but with irregular past forms (gave, given)
Meaning & Core Use
"Give" expresses the action of voluntarily transferring something—from tangible items like gifts and documents, to intangible things like advice or permission—from the giver to the receiver.
- The subject presents or hands over something to the object/recipient.
- It can be used for physical objects, services, information, emotions, and more.
- The transfer is usually voluntary and intentional.
You present or transfer something to someone else.
Typical recipients: someone (person), you, us, them
Typical 'things' given: gifts, money, advice, information, help, permission, trouble, a hug
Forms & Grammar
| Form | Example (with 'a book') |
|---|---|
| Base | give |
| 3rd Person Sg | gives |
| Past Simple | gave |
| Past Participle | given |
- Present: I/we/you/they give; he/she/it gives
- Past: All subjects gave
- Perfect: have/has/had given
Construction:
- Subject + give + (direct object) + (to + recipient)
- Subject + give + (recipient) + (direct object)
Examples:
- I give advice to my friends.
- She gives me a gift every year.
- They gave food to the homeless.
- We have given you all the information.
She gives him a pen; They gave money to charity; I will give you a call.
Typical Usage & Examples
Physical Objects
| Context | Example |
|---|---|
| Gift | She gives chocolates on birthdays. |
| Loan/Provision | Can you give me your pen? |
| Delivery/Exchange | They gave us the tickets at the door. |
Intangible Things
| Context | Example |
|---|---|
| Advice/Information | He gives good advice. |
| Emotion | Don’t give up! / She gave me hope. |
| Permission/Order | The teacher gives us homework. |
Synonyms & Related Verbs
| Synonym | Nuance/Difference | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Offer | Presents something for acceptance | She offers help |
| Provide | Supplies, often in larger or ongoing amounts | The company provides internet |
| Donate | Gives as a gift, usually for charity | They donate clothes |
| Pass | Moves something along, often physically | Please pass the salt |
'Offer,' 'Provide,' and 'Donate' are related; 'Take' and 'Steal' are not.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I give my old clothes to charity every year. | Physical objects are passed to a new owner. |
| Can you give me some advice about studying? | Intangible help is provided. |
| She gives her phone number to new friends. | Information is shared. |
| They gave us great service at the restaurant. | Treatment/attention is expressed as 'giving'. |
| The coach gives the players clear instructions. | Orders/directions are handed out. |
| Don’t give up, even when it’s hard. | Emotion/motivation is encouraged. |
Yes, 'give' is used for objects, advice, emotions, and more.
To present or transfer something from one person to another.
She gives him a book; They gave us some advice; I'll give you a call later.
'offer', 'provide', and 'donate' are related to 'give.'
The recipient is usually a person or group, as an indirect object or following 'to'.