The phrasal verb “give in” is a common yet nuanced expression in English, essential for both everyday conversation and formal writing. Understanding its various meanings and applications can significantly enhance your comprehension and fluency.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to “give in,” covering its definitions, structural breakdown, usage rules, common mistakes, and practical exercises. Whether you are an ESL learner or a native speaker looking to refine your grammar skills, this guide will deepen your understanding and mastery of this versatile phrasal verb.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of ‘Give In’
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of ‘Give In’
- Examples of ‘Give In’ in Use
- Usage Rules for ‘Give In’
- Common Mistakes with ‘Give In’
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion
Definition of ‘Give In’
The phrasal verb “give in” primarily means to stop resisting; to surrender or yield to pressure, demands, or force. It implies a change in stance, often reluctantly, due to external influence or internal exhaustion. Another, less common meaning, primarily used in British English, is to hand in or submit something, such as homework or a document.
In essence, “give in” suggests a cessation of opposition and acceptance of a different course of action or outcome. This can occur in various contexts, from interpersonal relationships to competitive situations.
Structural Breakdown
“Give in” is a phrasal verb composed of the verb “give” and the preposition “in.” The combination creates a meaning distinct from the individual words. The verb “give” generally means to transfer something, while “in” indicates location or containment.
Together, they form a phrasal verb that signifies yielding or submitting.
The structure of “give in” is relatively simple. It generally follows the pattern: Subject + Give in (+ to + object/person). The “to + object/person” part is optional, depending on the context. The verb “give” can be conjugated in various tenses (e.g., gives, gave, will give, has given) to indicate different time frames.
Types and Categories of ‘Give In’
Yielding to Pressure or Demands
This is the most common meaning of “give in.” It refers to the act of ceasing resistance against someone or something that is exerting pressure or making demands. This can involve emotional, social, or even physical pressure.
Submitting to Defeat
In a competitive context, “give in” can mean to accept defeat or failure. This implies acknowledging that one cannot win or succeed and therefore stops trying.
Handing In (British English)
Primarily used in British English, “give in” can also mean to submit or hand in something, such as an assignment or a form. This usage is less common than the other two and is typically found in academic or professional settings.
Examples of ‘Give In’ in Use
Examples of Yielding to Pressure
The following table provides examples of “give in” used in the context of yielding to pressure or demands. Each example illustrates how someone or something stops resisting due to external influence.
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| After hours of negotiation, the company finally gave in to the union’s demands. | Labor negotiations |
| The child begged for a candy bar, and his mother eventually gave in. | Parenting |
| Despite her initial reluctance, she gave in to her friend’s persuasion and went to the party. | Social situation |
| The government gave in to public pressure and repealed the controversial law. | Politics |
| He didn’t want to apologize, but he gave in to avoid further conflict. | Interpersonal relationship |
| The old building gave in to the relentless force of the hurricane. | Natural disaster |
| She resisted the temptation for weeks, but finally gave in and ate the chocolate cake. | Personal struggle |
| The besieged army gave in after days of heavy bombardment. | Warfare |
| He initially refused to help, but gave in when he saw how desperate they were. | Helping others |
| The software company gave in to customer feedback and released a patch. | Technology |
| She didn’t want to move, but gave in to her husband’s desire for a change of scenery. | Family decision |
| The athlete gave in to fatigue and slowed down in the final lap. | Sports |
| The student finally gave in and asked for help with the difficult assignment. | Education |
| The website gave in to the overwhelming traffic and crashed. | Technology |
| The landlord gave in to the tenant’s request for lower rent. | Real estate |
| After much debate, the committee gave in and approved the proposal. | Business meeting |
| The dog kept barking until its owner finally gave in and let it outside. | Pet ownership |
| The investor gave in to market pressure and sold his stocks. | Finance |
| She gave in to her cravings and ordered a pizza. | Personal indulgence |
| The company gave in to the lawsuit and agreed to a settlement. | Legal matter |
| He initially refused to lend money, but gave in when he heard her story. | Personal finance |
| The climber gave in to the altitude sickness and had to descend. | Adventure |
| The city council gave in to the protesters’ demands for better public transportation. | Civic engagement |
| She tried to resist, but eventually gave in to the romantic atmosphere. | Romantic relationship |
| The team gave in to the opponent’s superior skill and lost the game. | Sports competition |
| The child persisted, and the grandfather finally gave in and told him a story. | Family interaction |
Examples of Submitting to Defeat
This table illustrates “give in” used to signify submitting to defeat. The examples show situations where someone acknowledges they cannot win and stops trying.
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| After several failed attempts, he gave in and admitted he couldn’t solve the puzzle. | Problem-solving |
| The losing team gave in after the score became insurmountable. | Sports |
| The entrepreneur gave in and closed his struggling business. | Business |
| She gave in to despair and stopped looking for a job. | Personal struggle |
| The rebels gave in to the superior firepower of the government forces. | Warfare |
| After months of searching, they gave in and accepted that their pet was lost forever. | Loss |
| The scientist gave in when the experiment repeatedly failed to produce results. | Research |
| He gave in to his addiction and sought professional help. | Addiction |
| The company gave in to the competition and lowered its prices. | Market competition |
| She gave in to her illness and resigned from her position. | Health |
| The politician gave in to the scandal and stepped down from office. | Politics |
| The chess player gave in after realizing he was in checkmate. | Games |
| The explorer gave in to the harsh conditions and turned back. | Adventure |
| The negotiator gave in when it became clear no agreement was possible. | Negotiation |
| The artist gave in and abandoned the unfinished painting. | Creative work |
| The defendant gave in and pleaded guilty to the charges. | Legal proceedings |
| The athlete gave in to age and retired from professional sports. | Sports career |
| The student gave in and dropped the difficult course. | Education |
| The inventor gave in and scrapped the flawed design. | Innovation |
| The hiker gave in to exhaustion and called for rescue. | Outdoor activity |
| The debater gave in when faced with irrefutable evidence. | Argumentation |
| The gardener gave in and hired a professional landscaper. | Home improvement |
| The singer gave in to stage fright and cancelled the performance. | Performing arts |
| The programmer gave in and asked for help with the complex code. | Software development |
| The writer gave in to writer’s block and took a break. | Writing process |
Examples of Handing In (British English)
These examples demonstrate the British English usage of “give in” to mean handing in or submitting something.
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| Don’t forget to give your homework in by Friday. | Education |
| Have you given in your application form yet? | Application process |
| The students were instructed to give in their essays at the end of the class. | Academic instruction |
| Please give in your completed survey to the receptionist. | Data collection |
| She gave in her resignation letter to the HR department. | Employment |
| Remember to give in your passport application before the deadline. | Government Services |
| He gave in his expenses claim last week. | Finances |
| Could you please give in your suggestions by tomorrow? | Workplace Feedback |
Usage Rules for ‘Give In’
Transitivity
“Give in” is generally used intransitively, meaning it does not directly take an object. However, it is often followed by the preposition “to” and then the object or person being yielded to. For example: “She gave in to her cravings.”
Separable vs. Inseparable
“Give in” is generally considered an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you cannot insert a pronoun or noun between “give” and “in.” For example, you would not say “give it in;” instead, you would say “give in to it.”
Formal vs. Informal Usage
“Give in” is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might choose a more sophisticated synonym like “capitulate” or “succumb.” The British English usage of “give in” meaning “hand in” is generally acceptable in both formal and informal settings, especially in educational and professional contexts.
Common Mistakes with ‘Give In’
One common mistake is using “give in” transitively without the preposition “to” when referring to yielding to something. Another is incorrectly separating the phrasal verb.
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| She gave in the pressure. | She gave in to the pressure. | Missing preposition “to.” |
| Give it in. | Give in to it. | Incorrect separation of the phrasal verb. |
| I will give in my homework tomorrow (when meaning to submit) – British English. | I will give my homework in tomorrow (when meaning to submit) – British English. | This is one instance where the object can be placed between ‘give’ and ‘in’. |
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences using the correct form of “give in.”
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| After hours of arguing, he finally __________. | gave in |
| The company refused to __________ to the hackers’ demands. | give in |
| She didn’t want to go, but she eventually __________. | gave in |
| The old bridge __________ under the weight of the truck. | gave in |
| The student __________ his assignment late. (British English) | gave in |
| Despite the challenges, they refused to __________. | give in |
| The government __________ to public pressure and changed the policy. | gave in |
| He tried to resist, but he __________ to temptation. | gave in |
| The team __________ after realizing they couldn’t win. | gave in |
| The landlord __________ to the tenant’s request for repairs. | gave in |
Exercise 2: Sentence Completion
Complete the following sentences using “give in” and an appropriate ending.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| The child kept asking for ice cream, so his parents finally gave in __________. | and bought him a cone. |
| After a long and difficult negotiation, the union gave in __________. | to the company’s final offer. |
| She tried to resist the urge, but eventually gave in __________. | and ate the entire cake. |
| Despite his initial reluctance, he gave in __________. | and agreed to help with the project. |
| The besieged city finally gave in __________. | after weeks of relentless attacks. |
| Knowing he was wrong, he gave in __________. | and apologized for his mistake. |
| Exhausted and defeated, the climber gave in __________. | and decided to descend the mountain. |
| After much deliberation, the committee gave in __________. | and approved the funding for the new program. |
| Faced with overwhelming evidence, the defendant gave in __________. | and confessed to the crime. |
| The team fought hard, but ultimately gave in __________. | to their opponent’s superior skill. |
Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| She gave the pressure in. | She gave in to the pressure. | Incorrect word order and missing “to.” |
| He will give it in tomorrow. (When meaning to submit) | He will give it in tomorrow. (Correct as is in British English) | This is correct in British English. |
| They gave in the fight. | They gave in to the fight/They gave up the fight. | Missing “to” or better use of ‘gave up’ |
| I gave in to it the temptation. | I gave in to the temptation. | Incorrect word order. |
| The company gave in public pressure. | The company gave in to public pressure. | Missing “to.” |
| He give in to her demands. | He gave in to her demands. | Wrong tense, should be ‘gave’. |
| She gave in her resignation (when meaning to submit). | She gave in her resignation (when meaning to submit). | Correct as is in British English. |
| The bridge give in under the weight. | The bridge gave in under the weight. | Wrong tense, should be ‘gave’. |
| They give in to defeat. | They gave in to defeat. | Wrong tense, should be ‘gave’. |
| She give up in to the pressure. | She gave in to the pressure. | Incorrect phrasal verb and extra preposition. |
Advanced Topics
Nuances of Meaning
The meaning of “give in” can be subtle and context-dependent. It often implies a sense of reluctance or resignation.
For instance, saying someone “gave in gracefully” suggests they accepted defeat with good humor, while saying they “gave in grudgingly” implies they were unhappy about it.
Idiomatic Expressions
While “give in” itself is a phrasal verb, it doesn’t frequently appear in more complex idiomatic expressions. However, understanding its core meaning is crucial for interpreting other related idioms.
For example, the phrase “don’t give in to despair” uses “give in” to emphasize the importance of resisting negative emotions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the difference between “give in” and “give up”?
“Give in” implies yielding to pressure or demands, often reluctantly. “Give up,” on the other hand, means to stop trying to do something, often because it is too difficult. While there can be overlap, “give in” emphasizes the external force causing the surrender, whereas “give up” focuses on internal discouragement.
- Is “give in” formal or informal?
“Give in” is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer synonyms like “capitulate,” “succumb,” or “yield.”
- Can I use “give in” with a direct object?
Generally, no. “Give in” is usually followed by “to” and then the object or person being yielded to (e.g., “give in to pressure”). The more common British usage of “give in” meaning to submit something does allow for a direct object between the words give and in (e.g., “Give the homework in”).
- What are some synonyms for “give in”?
Synonyms for “give in” include: capitulate, succumb, yield, surrender, concede, submit, and cave in.
- How do I conjugate “give in” in different tenses?
You conjugate the verb “give” while “in” remains constant. For example: present tense – “I give in,” past tense – “I gave in,” future tense – “I will give in,” present perfect – “I have given in.”
- Is it correct to say “give in it”?
No, it is not correct. “Give in” is generally inseparable. You would say “give in to it.”
- Can “give in” be used in a positive sense?
While “give in” often has a negative connotation (implying defeat or reluctance), it can sometimes be used in a neutral or even positive sense. For example, “He gave in to his generous impulses” suggests a positive action resulting from yielding to an internal desire.
- How is ‘give in’ used in British English differently from American English?
In British English, “give in” can also mean to submit or hand in something, such as an assignment or a document. This usage is less common in American English, where “hand in” or “submit” are typically used instead.
- What part of speech is ‘give in’?
‘Give in’ is a phrasal verb, which functions as the verb in a sentence. It combines a verb (‘give’) with a preposition (‘in’) to create a new meaning.
- Is “give in” an idiom?
Yes, “give in” is considered an idiom because its meaning is not deducible from the literal definitions of “give” and “in” alone. The combination creates a unique meaning: to stop resisting or surrender.
- Can you use “give in” reflexively?
No, “give in” is not typically used reflexively. You wouldn’t say “He gave himself in.” The reflexive form doesn’t align with the phrasal verb’s meaning of yielding or surrendering.
Conclusion
Mastering the phrasal verb “give in” is crucial for effective communication in English. Understanding its various meanings, structural patterns, and usage rules will enhance your ability to express nuanced ideas and comprehend a wide range of contexts.
Remember to practice using “give in” in different sentences and scenarios to solidify your understanding. By avoiding common mistakes and exploring advanced topics, you can confidently incorporate this versatile phrasal verb into your everyday language.