Are you looking to enhance your English vocabulary and understand how to use the word "give" naturally in conversations and writing? You’re in the right place! Our goal is to show you clear, accurate, and practical information that helps you master collocations with "give," making your language skills more fluent and natural.
So, what exactly are collocations with "give"? Simply put, these are combinations of words that frequently appear together, creating familiar phrases or expressions. Knowing these collocations helps your language sound more authentic, whether you're speaking or writing. In this guide, we’ll explore 50 common collocations with "give," explain their meanings, and provide tips for using them effectively.
Keep reading to discover practical examples, common mistakes to avoid, and strategies to incorporate these collocations into your everyday language seamlessly. By the end, you'll be confident using "give" collocations like a native speaker!
What Are Collocations with "Give"? An Essential English Vocabulary Resource
Collocations are words that tend to go together naturally. When it comes to "give," these combinations often express actions, feelings, or relationships. Understanding and memorizing these collocations enable learners to speak more fluently and understand native speakers better.
Here’s a quick overview:
"Give" collocations are phrases where "give" is paired with specific words to form meaningful expressions. Examples include "give advice," "give up," and "give someone a hand."
Why Do Collocations Matter for English Learners?
- They improve naturalness and fluency in speech and writing.
- Help avoid awkward or unnatural phrasing.
- Increase your vocabulary and understanding of context.
- Make your communication more precise and expressive.
Now, let’s explore the top 50 collocations with "give" in detail.
List of 50 Common Collocations with "Give"
Below is a comprehensive table of frequently used collocations with "give," divided into categories for clarity.
| Number | Collocation | Meaning / Usage | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | give advice | To offer suggestions or recommendations | She always gives good advice on fashion. |
| 2 | give a hand | To help or assist | Can you give me a hand with this puzzle? |
| 3 | give a speech | To deliver a formal talk or presentation | The CEO will give a speech at the event. |
| 4 | give thanks | To express gratitude | I want to give thanks for everyone’s support. |
| 5 | give permission | To allow someone to do something | The teacher gave permission to leave early. |
| 6 | give a gift | To present someone with a present | I will give her a gift for her birthday. |
| 7 | give a call | To make a phone call | I need to give my boss a call later. |
| 8 | give a try | To attempt or try something | Why not give this new recipe a try? |
| 9 | give an example | To demonstrate or illustrate | Can you give an example of a good strategy? |
| 10 | give a response | To reply or react | She didn’t give a response immediately. |
| 11 | give an opinion | To share personal views | It's important to give your honest opinion. |
| 12 | give a warning | To alert someone of danger or risks | The sign gives a warning about slippery floors. |
| 13 | give a performance | To perform in a show or event | The band will give a performance tonight. |
| 14 | give a report | To present information about something | He was asked to give a report on sales. |
| 15 | give a presentation | To speak formally about a topic | She prepared to give a presentation on marketing. |
| 16 | give a compliment | To praise someone | I had to give her a compliment on her dress. |
| 17 | give a peace offering | To make amends or apologies | He brought flowers as a peace offering. |
| 18 | give a nod | To show agreement or acknowledgment | She gave a nod to indicate approval. |
| 19 | give a lift | To give someone a ride | Can you give me a lift home? |
| 20 | give a lesson | To teach or instruct | The teacher will give a lesson on algebra. |
| 21 | give a gift card | To present a card for shopping or services | I gave her a gift card for her birthday. |
| 22 | give someone a chance | To allow someone an opportunity | They gave me a chance to prove myself. |
| 23 | give a shot | To try something new, especially in sports or tasks | I’ll give it a shot and see how it goes. |
| 24 | give consent | To agree to something | The manager gave consent for the project. |
| 25 | give a push | To encourage or motivate | His words gave me a push to keep going. |
| 26 | give a fun surprise | To unexpectedly delight someone | We gave the kids a fun surprise. |
| 27 | give a warning sign | To indicate danger or caution | The dark clouds give a warning sign. |
| 28 | give a haircut | To cut someone's hair | She gave her son a new haircut. |
| 29 | give a boost | To increase motivation or confidence | Some encouragement gave her a boost. |
| 30 | give a ride to | To transport someone physically | Can you give me a ride to the airport? |
| 31 | give a nursery rhyme | To recite a children’s song | The teacher gave a nursery rhyme to the class. |
| 32 | give a speech | To speak publicly | The politician will give a speech today. |
| 33 | give a warning | To alert about possible danger | The alarm gives a warning before floods. |
| 34 | give a thought | To consider or think about something | I need to give it some more thought. |
| 35 | give a command | To instruct someone to do something | The captain gave a command to attack. |
| 36 | give a priority | To assign importance to something | I will give priority to client needs. |
| 37 | give a status update | To inform about current progress or condition | Please give a status update at noon. |
| 38 | give a lesson | To educate or tutor | The teacher will give a lesson on physics. |
| 39 | give a demonstration | To show how something works | She gave a demonstration of the new software. |
| 40 | give a warning about | To alert someone of potential issues | The sign gives a warning about high voltage. |
| 41 | give a lift to | To help someone physically or emotionally | She gave her friend a lift home. |
| 42 | give time | To allocate or spend time | I will give time to volunteering. |
| 43 | give a character assessment | To evaluate someone’s personality or traits | The interviewers give a character assessment. |
| 44 | give a critique | To review or analyze something critically | The artist appreciated the critique. |
| 45 | give a tough time | To cause difficulty or trouble | He gave her a tough time during the meeting. |
| 46 | give thanks for | To express gratitude for something | I want to give thanks for all your help. |
| 47 | give a warning cue | To signal or alert in advance | The alarm gives a warning cue before closing. |
| 48 | give a warning signal | To send an alert or warning message | The siren gives a warning signal. |
| 49 | give a new perspective | To offer a different view or outlook | Her comments gave a new perspective. |
| 50 | give a good impression | To make others view you positively | Dress well to give a good impression. |
Tips for Using Collocations with "Give" Successfully
- Practice in context: Instead of memorizing isolated phrases, try to use them in sentences or real-life conversations.
- Understand nuances: Different collocations carry different tones. For example, "give advice" is formal, while "give a hand" is casual.
- Use multimedia resources: Listen to native speakers, watch videos, or read texts that contain these collocations.
- Create your own sentences: Personalize these phrases to make them more memorable.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Correct Usage | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Saying "give to advice" | "give advice" | "Advice" is uncountable and shouldn't be preceded by "to" or "a." |
| Using "give" + noun without context | Use proper sentences like "give a gift" | Always tie collocations into a full sentence to avoid confusion. |
| Mixing collocations | Use "give a speech" not "give speech" | Maintain structure; include the appropriate determiner. |
Variations and Related Expressions
Some collocations can be modified or combined for advanced expression, such as:
- "give and take" (mutual compromise)
- "give oneself a break" (be kind to oneself)
- "give someone the benefit of the doubt" (trust them despite doubts)
The Power of Rich Vocabulary in English
Using varied and precise collocations enriches your language skills, making your speech and writing more engaging and confident. It shows mastery, clarity, and sophistication—qualities that impress in both academic and professional contexts.
Proper Usage and Sequencing: How to Combine Multiple "Give" Phrases
When using more than one collocation in a paragraph, ensure logical flow:
- Present the context first, then introduce relevant "give" phrases.
- Keep the sentence structure consistent.
- Avoid overloading sentences—spread out collocations for clarity.
Practice Exercises
Fill-in-the-blank
Complete with the correct collocation:
- She always ____ good advice when her friends are in trouble.
- Could you ____ me a hand with these boxes?
Error Correction
Identify and correct the mistake:
- He gave me a gift card for the store. (Correct as is)
- She gave to advice on the matter. (Incorrect usage; correct to "gave advice")
Sentence Construction
Create sentences using:
- give a presentation
- give a warning
- give thanks
In Conclusion
Mastering collocations with "give" can significantly boost your fluency and confidence in English. By understanding their meanings, practicing usage, and avoiding common errors, you’ll sound more natural and articulate. Remember, the key is consistent practice and context-aware learning. Keep exploring these phrases, and soon they’ll become a natural part of your vocabulary!
Want to take your English to the next level? Start incorporating these "give" collocations today and watch your language skills flourish!
