Same verb · different particle

“give” phrasal verbs

Same verb, different particle, different meaning. Learn these 6 one at a time, then test yourself.

6 phrasal verbslisten & quiz

give

away back in in to out

give + away · 1 of 6

give away

give something for free

give sth away to sb

To give something to someone without asking for money or anything in return.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I'm going to give away my old bike to my cousin because I don't use it anymore.

A: What are you doing with all those books?
B: I'm giving them away to the library.

Common mistake

Not: They gave away it for free.

Say: They gave it away for free.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'give it away'.

More on “give away”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I had extra clothes that I no longer wore, I would probably give them away to charity rather than throw them out.

Tell it apart

They're giving away free tickets.

handing them out for nothing

They're giving back to the community.

returning something as thanks

Goes with

give away + thing

Practice saying this

Next: give back

give + back · 2 of 6

give back

return something

give sth back to sb

to return something to the person or place it came from, especially after borrowing or using it.

How oftenVery common

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Please give back my pen when you’re finished with it.

A: Did you give back Sarah’s book yet?
B: Not yet, but I’ll drop it off tomorrow.

Common mistake

Not: Can you give ~~back~~ me my ~~pen?~~

Say: Can you give my pen back? / give me my pen back?

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle — 'give it back', never 'give back it'.

More on “give back”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I borrow something from a friend, I always make sure to give it back as soon as possible because I think it shows respect.

Tell it apart

Give it back.

return what you borrowed/took

She wants to give back to the community.

contribute / donate

Goes with

give + back

Practice saying this

Next: give in

give + in · 3 of 6

give in

agree reluctantly

give in to sb/sth

To finally agree to do something you did not want to do, usually after being pressured or persuaded.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

After hours of begging, her parents finally gave in and let her go to the party.

A: Are you still saying no to the trip?
B: I was, but I gave in. My friends convinced me.

Common mistake

Not: I gave in his request.

Say: I gave in to his request. / I gave in.

When you name what you yield to, use 'give in TO'; bare 'give in' takes no object.

More on “give in”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, parents shouldn't always give in to their children's demands, as it can lead to bad habits.

Tell it apart

I gave in and let them stay.

stopped resisting

I gave up trying to stop them.

quit the effort altogether

Goes with

give in (to)

Practice saying this

Next: give in to

give + in to · 4 of 6

give in to

stop resisting

give in to demands

To stop resisting something — finally agreeing to someone's demands or pressure, or letting a feeling or temptation control you.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Despite her best efforts, she eventually gave in to the temptation of eating chocolate late at night.

A: I thought you were on a diet?
B: I was, but I gave in to temptation when I saw the cake.

Common mistake

Not: I gave in ~~the~~ temptation.

Say: I gave in to temptation.

Don't drop 'to' — it's 'give in TO temptation / the urge'.

More on “give in to”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Many people struggle to maintain healthy habits because they frequently give in to the urge to procrastinate or indulge in unhealthy foods.

Tell it apart

The boss gave in to our demands.

finally agreed

I gave in to the urge to check my phone.

stopped resisting

Goes with

give in to + temptation/urge

Practice saying this

Next: give out

give + out · 5 of 6

give out

distribute

give out sth to sb

to hand something to each person in a group; to distribute.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The teacher gave out the exam papers to the students.

A: Who's going to give out the flyers at the event?
B: I'll do it, no problem.

Common mistake

Not: She gave out us the worksheets.

Say: She gave us the worksheets. / She gave out the worksheets.

Don't put the recipient between 'give' and 'out'. Use 'give out + thing', or 'give + person + thing'.

More on “give out”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my school, the principal would often give out certificates to students who did well in their exams.

Tell it apart

They gave out free samples.

handed one to each person

The old printer finally gave out.

stopped working

Goes with

give out + items

Practice saying this

Next: give up

give + up · 6 of 6

give up

stop trying

give up sth sth

To stop making an effort to do something because it is too difficult or seems impossible.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

After several failed attempts, she decided to give up learning the guitar.

A: This puzzle is so hard!
B: Don't give up yet—you’re almost there.

Common mistake

Not: Don't give ~~up to try.~~

Say: Don't give up. / Don't stop trying.

'Give up' is usually used alone or with -ing; 'give up to try' is not English.

More on “give up”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

I used to find English listening exercises very difficult, but I didn’t give up. I kept practicing until I improved.

Tell it apart

I gave up after three tries.

stopped trying — defeat

I gave up chocolate for a month.

quit a habit on purpose

Goes with

give up + manner

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which “give” fits?

Fill the gap

Which “give” fits?

Read the sentence, then pick the phrasal verb that belongs in the gap.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick one and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

give away give back give in give in to give out give up