English Phrasal Verbs With “Give”
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language, and mastering them can significantly improve your fluency. The verb “give” is commonly used in phrasal verbs, each with unique meanings. Below is a comprehensive guide to phrasal verbs with “give,” including definitions, examples, exercises, and answers.
1. Give Up
Meaning: To stop doing something, surrender, or quit.
Examples:
- She decided to give up smoking for her health.
- After hours of trying, he finally gave up solving the puzzle.
- The criminal gave up when the police surrounded him.
Exercise:
Complete the sentences with “give up”:
- I will never _____ on my dreams.
- He had to _____ his bad habits to become healthier.
- The team refused to _____ even when they were losing.
Answers:
- I will never give up on my dreams.
- He had to give up his bad habits to become healthier.
- The team refused to give up even when they were losing.
2. Give In
Meaning: To yield, surrender, or agree reluctantly.
Examples:
- After a long argument, she finally gave in and accepted his proposal.
- The protesters refused to give in to the government’s demands.
- He gave in to temptation and ate the chocolate cake.
Exercise:
Fill in the blanks with “give in”:
- Don’t _____ to peer pressure.
- She didn’t want to _____ but had no choice.
- The tired hiker had to _____ and rest.
Answers:
- Don’t give in to peer pressure.
- She didn’t want to give in but had no choice.
- The tired hiker had to give in and rest.
3. Give Away
Meaning: To distribute for free, reveal a secret, or donate.
Examples:
- The company gave away free samples of their new product.
- She accidentally gave away the surprise party plans.
- They decided to give away their old clothes to charity.
Exercise:
Complete the sentences with “give away”:
- The magician never _____ his tricks.
- They plan to _____ books at the event.
- Her smile _____ her excitement.
Answers:
- The magician never gives away his tricks.
- They plan to give away books at the event.
- Her smile gave away her excitement.
4. Give Out
Meaning: To distribute, stop working (for machines), or become exhausted.
Examples:
- The teacher gave out the test papers to the students.
- My car’s engine gave out after years of use.
- After running the marathon, his legs gave out.
Exercise:
Fill in the blanks with “give out”:
- The printer _____ after printing 1000 pages.
- She _____ flyers at the mall.
- His voice _____ from shouting too much.
Answers:
- The printer gave out after printing 1000 pages.
- She gave out flyers at the mall.
- His voice gave out from shouting too much.
5. Give Back
Meaning: To return something or contribute to society.
Examples:
- He promised to give back the money he borrowed.
- She volunteers to give back to her community.
- Please give back the book when you’re done.
Exercise:
Complete the sentences with “give back”:
- It’s important to _____ to those in need.
- He forgot to _____ the pen he borrowed.
- They organized a fundraiser to _____ to the school.
Answers:
- It’s important to give back to those in need.
- He forgot to give back the pen he borrowed.
- They organized a fundraiser to give back to the school.
Summary Table of Phrasal Verbs with “Give”
Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
Give up | To stop or quit | She gave up smoking. |
Give in | To yield or surrender | He gave in to her demands. |
Give away | To distribute or reveal | They gave away free samples. |
Give out | To distribute or stop working | The engine gave out. |
Give back | To return or contribute | She gave back the book. |
By practicing these phrasal verbs, you can enhance your English communication skills. Try using them in daily conversations to become more fluent!