give

To give seems simple enough. It often means moving something from one person to another, whether that is a thing, some help, or even a thought. But give is much more flexible than that. You can give a gift, give advice, give your attention, give someone a chance, or give up on a plan. At heart, it is about letting something go outward from you.

Think of it as an act of sharing, providing, or causing something to happen. A generous friend might give you their time, while a stern teacher might give you detention. In English, give is often followed by an indirect object, as in "I gave him the book," to show who receives it. It can also describe effort or emotion: "She gave her all to the project."

The word give is a basic English verb, but it covers a wide range of everyday situations. At its core, give means to transfer something to someone or to provide something that another person receives. This can be physical, as in "I will give you this apple," but it also applies to less concrete things such as advice, time, attention, permission, support, or information.

You give advice when you offer your opinion, and you give permission when you allow something. You can give someone a job, a look, a smile, a push, a reason, or an answer. The verb can also mean causing someone to feel or experience something, as in "The news gave me hope" or "That joke gave us a laugh." In some contexts, it is used for performances or actions: a singer can give a concert, and a speaker can give a talk.

The meaning also changes in many phrasal verbs and fixed expressions. To "give back" is to return something. To "give in" is to stop resisting. To "give up" is to stop trying or to let something go. English also uses give in many common phrases, such as "give someone a hand," "give it a try," and "give someone the benefit of the doubt." Whether it involves handing over an object, offering help, creating a feeling, or making an effort, give is one of the main verbs English uses for sharing, providing, and causing things to happen.