give
/ɡɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ɡɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgiv/ (ame, mw)
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.
Hugo's grandmother gave him a warm blanket for the cold winter months.
文法句型
give + someone + something
give + something + to + someone
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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?
The company gave the photographer fifteen thousand dollars for the wedding album project.
- charge
to ask for money instead of paying it
文法句型
give + someone + money
give + money + for + something
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
The retired doctor gave his medical skills to a free clinic in the countryside.
- 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
文法句型
give + money/time + to + someone/something
常見錯誤
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.
The head nurse gave most of her energy to training the new staff members.
- neglect
to fail to give enough attention or care
文法句型
give + energy/attention/thought + to + something
用法筆記
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).
常見錯誤
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.
Niran gave his mother a full account of what happened at school that day.
- withhold
to keep information from someone
文法句型
give + someone + information
give + details/answer/reason
用法筆記
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'.
常見錯誤
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.
The judge gave the young driver a community service order for the traffic accident.
文法句型
give + someone + prison term
be given + term + for + crime
用法筆記
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?
The nurse gave the patient a few more minutes to rest before the examination.
- deny
refuse to give time someone asked for
文法句型
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.
The doctor gave the patient roughly six months to recover fully from the surgery.
文法句型
give + something + time period + before/to-infinitive
用法筆記
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.
- prevent
stop something from happening; opposite of causing
文法句型
give + someone + a feeling/result/illness
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
The passengers were given to understand that the flight would depart within the hour.
- be led to believe
similar formality; can suggest the information might be misleading
- understand
less formal; does not imply someone told you
文法句型
be given to understand (that) + clause
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
Michael gave it to be around three miles from the station to the hotel.
文法句型
give it to be + noun phrase / clause
用法筆記
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.
- perform
more formal; used for planned or public actions
文法句型
give + a/an + action noun
give + someone + action noun
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
give + noun phrase (party / dinner / reception)
用法筆記
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?
The manager asked the team to give the new software a try before deciding.
文法句型
give + noun phrase + a try / a shot
give + it + a try / a go
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
give + a toast + to + [person]
give + [person] + a toast
用法筆記
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.
Cheap trainers often give at the seams after only a few months of daily use.
文法句型
give + (under / with / after) + noun phrase
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
With seconds left, the referee gave the goal and the stadium erupted in cheers.
文法句型
give + [player / ball] + [adjective] (out / in / good / safe)
用法筆記
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.
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.
- resist
to keep opposing something and refuse to change your position
- stand firm
phrasal; to refuse to change your opinion or decision despite pressure
文法句型
give + in / way / ground + (to + [person / demand])
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
A climbing rope needs just enough give to catch a fall safely without snapping.
The yoga mat's give kept Mizuki's knees from hurting during floor poses.
- 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
文法句型
there is some give + in + noun
用法筆記
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'.