Understanding the different forms of irregular verbs is crucial for accurate and fluent English communication. The verb “give,” with its principal parts – give, gave, given – is a fundamental verb that appears frequently in everyday speech and writing.
Mastering these forms is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences in various tenses and contexts. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and using “give,” “gave,” and “given” correctly.
This guide is perfect for English language learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers, and anyone seeking to improve their grammar skills.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Give, Gave, Given
- Give
- Gave
- Given
- Structural Breakdown
- Present Tense (Give)
- Past Tense (Gave)
- Past Participle (Given)
- Types and Categories of Usage
- Giving Objects
- Giving Information
- Giving Abstract Things
- Giving Permission
- Giving Effort
- Examples of Give, Gave, Given
- Examples of “Give”
- Examples of “Gave”
- Examples of “Given”
- Usage Rules
- Present Simple with “Give”
- Past Simple with “Gave”
- Present Perfect with “Given”
- Passive Voice with “Given”
- Conditional Sentences with “Given”
- Common Mistakes
- Incorrect Tense Usage
- Misusing “Given”
- Practice Exercises
- Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
- Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation
- Exercise 3: Error Correction
- Advanced Topics
- Idiomatic Expressions with “Give”
- Phrasal Verbs with “Give”
- Nuances of “Given” in complex sentences
- FAQ Section
- Conclusion
Definition of Give, Gave, Given
The verb “give” is a fundamental verb in English, denoting the act of voluntarily transferring something to someone. It is an irregular verb, meaning its past tense and past participle forms do not follow the standard “-ed” ending.
Understanding its different forms and their specific uses is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences.
Give
“Give” is the base form of the verb and is used in the present tense. It expresses an action that is happening now, happens regularly, or is generally true.
It is also used in the infinitive form (to give) and with auxiliary verbs like “will” or “can.”
Gave
“Gave” is the past tense form of “give.” It is used to describe an action that was completed in the past at a specific time or within a defined period. It signifies a finished action of transferring something from one person to another.
Given
“Given” is the past participle form of “give.” It is used with auxiliary verbs like “have,” “has,” or “had” to form perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect, future perfect). It is also used in the passive voice and as an adjective to describe something that has been transferred or presented.
Structural Breakdown
Understanding the structural variations of “give,” “gave,” and “given” is essential for using them correctly in different grammatical contexts. Each form plays a specific role in sentence construction and conveys different temporal meanings.
Present Tense (Give)
The present tense form “give” is used to express actions happening now, habitual actions, or general truths. It is conjugated differently depending on the subject pronoun.
- I give
- You give
- He/She/It gives
- We give
- They give
Notice the addition of “-s” to the verb when the subject is “he,” “she,” or “it.”
Past Tense (Gave)
The past tense form “gave” is used to describe actions that were completed in the past. It is the same for all subject pronouns.
- I gave
- You gave
- He/She/It gave
- We gave
- They gave
This form indicates a finished action in the past, without specifying the duration or continuation of the action.
Past Participle (Given)
The past participle “given” is used in perfect tenses and the passive voice. It always requires an auxiliary verb.
- Present Perfect: I have given, You have given, He/She/It has given, We have given, They have given
- Past Perfect: I had given, You had given, He/She/It had given, We had given, They had given
- Future Perfect: I will have given, You will have given, He/She/It will have given, We will have given, They will have given
- Passive Voice: The book was given to me.
In perfect tenses, “given” indicates an action completed before a specific time. In the passive voice, it indicates that someone or something received something.
Types and Categories of Usage
The verb “give” is versatile and can be used in various contexts to express different types of actions. Understanding these categories helps in using “give,” “gave,” and “given” more effectively.
Giving Objects
This is the most literal sense of “give,” referring to the physical transfer of an object from one person to another.
Giving Information
This involves providing someone with knowledge, facts, or details.
Giving Abstract Things
This includes giving things like advice, help, or support, which are not tangible objects.
Giving Permission
This refers to granting someone the right to do something.
Giving Effort
This involves contributing time, energy, or resources to a task or goal.
Examples of Give, Gave, Given
To solidify your understanding, let’s look at examples of “give,” “gave,” and “given” in different contexts.
Examples of “Give”
The following table provides examples of the word ‘give’ as a present tense verb.
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| I give my friend a ride to school every morning. | Habitual action |
| You give excellent presentations in our meetings. | Describing a skill |
| He gives his all in every game he plays. | Effort and dedication |
| She gives generously to charity. | Giving to charity |
| It gives me great pleasure to introduce our guest speaker. | Expressing pleasure |
| We give thanks for all that we have. | Expressing gratitude |
| They give each other gifts on their birthdays. | Reciprocal action |
| Please give me your attention for a moment. | Requesting attention |
| The teacher gives us homework every day. | Regular assignment |
| Doctors give patients medical advice. | Professional advice |
| I give up! This puzzle is too difficult. | Expressing surrender |
| You give me hope for the future. | Inspiring hope |
| He gives the impression of being very confident. | Creating an impression |
| She gives clear instructions on how to complete the task. | Providing instructions |
| It gives me a headache to think about it. | Expressing annoyance |
| We give our best wishes to the happy couple. | Offering wishes |
| They give their opinions freely in the discussion. | Sharing opinions |
| Give it your best shot! | Encouragement |
| I give my dog a treat when he performs a trick. | Rewarding behavior |
| You give me too much credit for my accomplishments. | Acknowledging praise |
| He gives a detailed account of the events. | Providing an account |
| She gives her time to volunteer at the local shelter. | Volunteering time |
| The company gives employees opportunities for advancement. | Offering opportunities |
| The sun gives us light and warmth. | Providing essential resources |
| Politicians give speeches to persuade voters. | Persuasion through speech |
| Parents give their children love and support. | Providing emotional support |
Examples of “Gave”
The following table provides examples of the word ‘gave’ as a past tense verb.
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| I gave my old clothes to a charity shop last week. | Donating items |
| You gave me the best birthday present ever! | Receiving a gift |
| He gave a speech at the conference yesterday. | Delivering a speech |
| She gave me some helpful advice about my career. | Offering advice |
| It gave me a shock to see him there. | Experiencing a surprise |
| We gave a party to celebrate our anniversary. | Hosting a celebration |
| They gave us a warm welcome when we arrived. | Offering a welcome |
| The teacher gave us a difficult exam. | Administering an exam |
| The company gave bonuses to all its employees. | Providing bonuses |
| The rain gave us a reason to stay indoors. | Providing a reason |
| I gave him my word that I would help. | Making a promise |
| You gave me the impression that you were happy. | Creating an impression |
| He gave a sigh of relief when he finished the project. | Expressing relief |
| She gave a performance that captivated the audience. | Delivering a performance |
| It gave me an idea for a new business venture. | Inspiring an idea |
| We gave our support to the local team. | Offering support |
| They gave their consent for the surgery. | Granting consent |
| The judge gave the order to proceed with the trial. | Issuing an order |
| The artist gave his painting a final touch. | Adding a final touch |
| I gave my cat some food this morning. | Feeding a pet |
| You gave me a fright! | Causing a fright |
| He gave a detailed explanation of the theory. | Providing an explanation |
| She gave a confident smile. | Expressing confidence |
| The museum gave visitors a glimpse into the past. | Providing a glimpse |
| The government gave subsidies to farmers. | Providing subsidies |
| The athlete gave her all in the competition. | Giving maximum effort |
Examples of “Given”
The following table provides examples of the word ‘given’ as a past participle verb.
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| I have given my email address to several companies. | Present Perfect Tense |
| You have given me so much joy. | Expressing gratitude (Present Perfect) |
| He has given up smoking after many attempts. | Describing a completed action (Present Perfect) |
| She has given a lot of thought to the matter. | Expressing consideration (Present Perfect) |
| It has been given to me to understand the universe. | Expressing understanding (Present Perfect Passive) |
| We have given our best effort to this project. | Expressing effort (Present Perfect) |
| They have given us permission to use their facilities. | Expressing permission (Present Perfect) |
| The award was given to her for her outstanding achievements. | Passive Voice |
| The book had been given to him as a gift. | Past Perfect Passive |
| Having given the presentation, he felt relieved. | Participial Phrase |
| I had given the matter some thought before making a decision. | Past Perfect Tense |
| You had given me hope when I was feeling down. | Offering hope (Past Perfect) |
| He had given all his money to charity before he died. | Describing a completed donation (Past Perfect) |
| She had given the cat its medicine before leaving the house. | Administering medicine (Past Perfect) |
| It had been given careful consideration by the committee. | Expressing consideration (Past Perfect Passive) |
| We had given our word that we would help them. | Making a promise (Past Perfect) |
| They had given us a warning about the dangers. | Providing a warning (Past Perfect) |
| The information was given to us in confidence. | Passive Voice |
| The task was given to the most experienced employee. | Passive Voice |
| I will have given all my attention to the presentation by tomorrow. | Future Perfect |
| You will have given the audience a memorable performance. | Future Perfect |
| He will have given his final answer by the end of the day. | Future Perfect |
| She will have given the assignment her best effort. | Future Perfect |
| It will have been given careful review. | Future Perfect Passive |
| We will have given our support to the cause by then. | Future Perfect |
| They will have given the children all the necessary supplies. | Future Perfect |
Usage Rules
Correct usage of “give,” “gave,” and “given” depends on the tense and context of the sentence. Understanding these rules is essential for clear and accurate communication.
Present Simple with “Give”
Use “give” in the present simple tense to describe habitual actions, general truths, or actions happening now. Remember to add “-s” to the verb for third-person singular subjects (he, she, it).
Past Simple with “Gave”
Use “gave” in the past simple tense to describe actions that were completed in the past. This form is the same for all subjects.
Present Perfect with “Given”
Use “given” with “have” or “has” in the present perfect tense to describe actions that started in the past and continue to have relevance in the present or actions completed at an unspecified time in the past.
Passive Voice with “Given”
Use “given” with a form of the verb “to be” (is, are, was, were, been) in the passive voice to indicate that the subject received something or was subjected to an action.
Conditional Sentences with “Given”
The word “given” can also be used as a preposition to mean “considering” or “taking into account.” For example: Given the circumstances, we decided to postpone the meeting.
Here’s a breakdown of conditional sentences using “give” in its various forms:
- Zero Conditional: This describes general truths or habits.
- If you give plants enough water, they grow.
- First Conditional: This describes a possible future situation and its likely outcome.
- If you give me your address, I will send you a postcard.
- Second Conditional: This describes an unreal or hypothetical situation and its probable result.
- If I gave up my job, I would travel the world.
- Third Conditional: This describes a past unreal situation and its hypothetical outcome.
- If I had given him my phone number, he would have called me.
Common Mistakes
Even experienced English speakers sometimes make mistakes when using “give,” “gave,” and “given.” Here are some common errors to avoid:
Incorrect Tense Usage
Using the wrong tense form of “give” can lead to confusion and grammatical errors. For example.
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I give the book yesterday. | I gave the book yesterday. | “Gave” is the past tense form, used for completed actions in the past. |
| She have gave me a gift. | She has given me a gift. | “Given” is the past participle, used with “has” in the present perfect. |
Misusing “Given”
Using “given” incorrectly, especially in place of “gave” or “give,” is a common mistake. For example:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| He given a speech last night. | He gave a speech last night. | “Gave” is the correct past tense form. |
| They are given presents every year. | They are given presents every year. | Correct passive construction. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of “give,” “gave,” and “given” with these practice exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “give” (give, gave, or given).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I will _____ you a call later. | give |
| 2. She _____ me a beautiful necklace for my birthday. | gave |
| 3. They have _____ us permission to use their car. | given |
| 4. He _____ his best effort to the project. | gave |
| 5. We _____ thanks for all the blessings in our lives. | give |
| 6. The award was _____ to the most deserving student. | given |
| 7. I had _____ him my word that I would help. | given |
| 8. You _____ me the impression that you were unhappy. | gave |
| 9. Please _____ me your attention for a moment. | give |
| 10. She has _____ a lot of time to volunteering. | given |
Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation
Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of “give.”
| Original Sentence | Transformed Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. I am offering a present to my friend. | I give a present to my friend. |
| 2. She offered advice to me yesterday. | She gave advice to me yesterday. |
| 3. They have offered their support to the campaign. | They have given their support to the campaign. |
| 4. He is offering his time to the charity. | He gives his time to the charity. |
| 5. We offered our thanks to the host. | We gave our thanks to the host. |
| 6. They are offering a warm welcome to the guests. | They give a warm welcome to the guests. |
| 7. He had offered his word that he would help. | He had given his word that he would help. |
| 8. She has offered a donation to the museum. | She has given a donation to the museum. |
| 9. I will offer a call to you later. | I will give you a call later. |
| 10. You offered me the best gift ever. | You gave me the best gift ever. |
Exercise 3: Error Correction
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. I give the book yesterday. | I gave the book yesterday. |
| 2. She have gave me a gift. | She has given me a gift. |
| 3. He given a speech last night. | He gave a speech last night. |
| 4. They are give presents every year. | They are given presents every year. |
| 5. I has give my best effort. | I have given my best effort. |
| 6. She give me some good advice. | She gave me some good advice. |
| 7. He have given up smoking. | He has given up smoking. |
| 8. We give a party last week. | We gave a party last week. |
| 9. They has given us permission. | They have given us permission. |
| 10. I will gave you a call later. | I will give you a call later. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, understanding idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs with “give” can further enhance their language skills.
Idiomatic Expressions with “Give”
Idiomatic expressions are phrases whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal meanings of the individual words. “Give” appears in several common idioms:
- Give someone a hand: To help someone. Could you give me a hand with these boxes?
- Give it a shot: To try something. I’m not sure I can do it, but I’ll give it a shot.
- Give someone the cold shoulder: To ignore someone deliberately. She gave him the cold shoulder after their argument.
- Give someone a piece of your mind: To express your anger or disapproval to someone. I’m going to give him a piece of my mind for being so rude.
- Give and take: A willingness to compromise. Marriage requires give and take from both partners.
- Give way: To yield or surrender. The smaller car had to give way to the truck at the intersection.
Phrasal Verbs with “Give”
Phrasal verbs combine a verb with a preposition or adverb, creating a new meaning. Here are some common phrasal verbs with “give”:
- Give up: To stop trying; to surrender. I give up! I can’t solve this puzzle.
- Give in: To surrender or yield to pressure. The company finally gave in to the workers’ demands.
- Give out: To distribute or hand out. The teacher gave out the test papers.
- Give away: To donate or give something for free. The store is giving away free samples.
- Give back: To return something. Please give back the book when you’re finished.
- Give off: To emit or produce (a smell, light, etc.). The flowers give off a pleasant fragrance.
Nuances of “Given” in complex sentences
Beyond its role as a past participle, “given” can also function as a preposition or conjunction, adding layers of complexity to sentence structure and meaning.
- “Given” as a preposition: In this usage, “given” means “considering” or “taking into account.” It introduces a condition or premise upon which the rest of the sentence depends. Given the weather conditions, the flight was delayed.
- “Given that” as a conjunction: Similar to “given” as a preposition, “given that” introduces a reason or explanation for something. Given that he had never studied French, his fluency was remarkable.
Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and sophisticated communication. It’s important to recognize the context in which “given” is used to correctly interpret its meaning and the relationship between different parts of the sentence.
FAQ Section
Here are some frequently asked questions about using “give,” “gave,” and “given.”
- Q: What is the difference between “gave” and “given”?
A: “Gave” is the simple past tense form of “give,” used for completed actions in the past. “Given” is the past participle form, used with auxiliary verbs like “have,” “has,” or “had” to form perfect tenses or in the passive voice.
- Q: How do I use “given” in the passive voice?
A: In the passive voice, “given” is used with a form of the verb “to be” (is, are, was, were, been). For example: The award was given to her for her achievements.
- Q: Can “given” be used as an adjective?
A: Yes, “given” can be used as an adjective to describe something that has been transferred or presented. For example: Given the opportunity, he would succeed.
- Q: What are some common idiomatic expressions with “give”?
A: Some common idioms include “give someone a hand,” “give it a shot,” “give someone the cold shoulder,” and “give and take.”
- Q: How do I use phrasal verbs with “give”?
A: Phrasal verbs combine “give” with a preposition or adverb to create a new meaning. For example, “give up” means to stop trying, and “give in” means to surrender.
- Q: When should I use “give” versus “gives”?
A: Use “give” with subject pronouns I, you, we, and they. Use “gives” with the third-person singular pronouns he, she, and it in the present simple tense.
- Q: Is “given” ever used in conditional sentences?
A: Yes, “given” can be used in conditional sentences, particularly when it functions as a preposition meaning “considering.” For example: Given the circumstances, we decided to postpone the meeting.
- Q: What is the most common mistake people make with “give,” “gave,” and “given”?
A: One of the most common mistakes is using the wrong tense form, such as using “give” or “given” when “gave” is required for a past action, or vice versa.
- Q: Can “give” be used to express abstract concepts?
A: Yes, “give” is frequently used to express abstract concepts such as giving advice, giving support, or giving permission. It’s not limited to physical objects.
- Q: Are there any regional differences in how “give,” “gave,” and “given” are used?
A: While the basic grammar rules are consistent across English-speaking regions, some idiomatic expressions or phrasal verb usages might vary slightly depending on the region.
Conclusion
Mastering the different forms of the verb “give” – give, gave, given – is essential for achieving fluency and accuracy in English. Understanding the nuances of each form, their usage in various tenses, and their presence in idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively.
By practicing regularly and paying attention to common mistakes, you can confidently use “give,” “gave,” and “given” in your everyday conversations and writing. Remember to focus on understanding the context and applying the correct tense to ensure your message is clear and grammatically sound.