gives — visual vocabulary card
At the A1 level, 'gives' is one of the first verbs you learn to describe actions. It is primarily used for physical objects. You learn that 'he gives a gift' or 'she gives a book'. The focus is on the simple present tense and the 's' ending for third-person singular. You might also learn it in the context of basic needs, like 'The cow gives milk'. At this stage, the goal is to understand the direction of the action (from the subject to someone else) and to remember the subject-verb agreement. You will use it in very short, simple sentences with a subject, the verb 'gives', a person, and an object. It's about basic communication of sharing and providing.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'gives' for more than just physical objects. You start to use it for abstract things like 'gives advice', 'gives a call', or 'gives a hug'. You also learn the two different sentence structures: 'gives someone something' and 'gives something to someone'. You might start to see 'gives' in common phrases like 'gives a presentation' or 'gives a speech'. At this level, you are expected to be more consistent with the 's' ending and to understand that 'gives' can describe a habit or a general fact, such as 'My father gives me money every week'. You are expanding the types of things that can be 'given'.
At the B1 level, you use 'gives' in a wider variety of contexts, including more idiomatic expressions. You might say 'it gives me a headache' or 'this gives us a chance to talk'. You understand that 'gives' can describe the result of a process, like 'Adding salt gives the food more flavor'. You also start to encounter phrasal verbs like 'gives up' or 'gives away', though you must be careful not to confuse them with the simple verb. Your sentences become more complex, perhaps using 'gives' in relative clauses: 'The man who gives the most is often the happiest'. You are moving from simple transactions to describing effects and opportunities.
At the B2 level, you use 'gives' with more precision and in more formal or professional contexts. You might discuss how a specific policy 'gives rise to' certain problems or how a piece of evidence 'gives weight to' an argument. You are comfortable using 'gives' to describe abstract concepts like 'gives credit', 'gives priority', or 'gives an impression'. You also begin to recognize when 'gives' is the best choice versus more formal synonyms like 'provides', 'grants', or 'yields'. You can use 'gives' in complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice ('He is given a second chance') or in conditional sentences ('If he gives his consent, we can proceed').
At the C1 level, you understand the subtle nuances of 'gives' in literature and high-level discourse. You can use it to describe the 'give and take' of a relationship or the way a certain style 'gives way' to another over time. You are familiar with more obscure idioms and can use 'gives' to convey subtle meanings, such as 'the floor gives' (it bends under pressure) or 'his voice gives nothing away' (he shows no emotion). You use 'gives' to describe complex causal chains and philosophical ideas. Your use of the word is fluid and natural, and you can easily substitute it with highly specific academic or technical verbs depending on the audience.
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'gives' in all its forms, including its most metaphorical and idiomatic uses. You can use it with absolute precision in any register, from legal documents to poetry. You understand the historical development of the word and how its meaning has shifted. You might use 'gives' in a highly rhetorical way to create emphasis or to describe intricate systems of exchange. You are also aware of regional variations in how 'gives' is used and can interpret it correctly in any dialect of English. At this level, 'gives' is a versatile tool that you use effortlessly to express complex, multi-layered ideas.

gives en 30 secondes

  • The word 'gives' is the third-person singular form of the verb 'give', used with subjects like he, she, or it.
  • It primarily means to hand something over to someone else or to provide a service or information.
  • It can also describe the result of an action, such as an equation that gives a specific sum.
  • Commonly used in everyday phrases like 'gives advice', 'gives a call', or 'gives a presentation'.

The word gives is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb 'give'. At its most fundamental level, it describes the act of a single person, animal, or entity transferring possession of something to someone else. However, in the English language, 'gives' extends far beyond the simple physical exchange of objects. It encompasses the provision of information, the creation of an effect, the yielding of a result, and even the expression of an emotion or physical gesture. When we say 'the sun gives light,' we are not talking about a transaction, but a continuous provision of energy. When we say 'the evidence gives us hope,' we are discussing a psychological state triggered by external facts.

Physical Transfer
This is the most common use for beginners. It involves a subject (he, she, it, or a name) handing an item to a recipient. For example, 'She gives him the keys.' Here, the movement of the keys from her hand to his is the core action.

The generous neighbor always gives extra vegetables from her garden to everyone on the street.

Abstract Provision
This refers to non-physical things like time, attention, advice, or permission. 'The teacher gives the students ten minutes to finish.' In this context, nothing physical is moving, but a resource (time) is being allocated.

Furthermore, 'gives' is frequently used in scientific or mathematical contexts to describe results. In the equation 2 + 2, the sum gives 4. In chemistry, a specific reaction gives a certain byproduct. This usage highlights the 'output' nature of the verb. It suggests that when certain conditions are met, a specific result is produced. In social settings, 'gives' can describe performances or presentations: 'The actor gives a brilliant performance.' This implies that the actor is presenting their talent to the audience as a form of offering. The versatility of 'gives' makes it one of the most essential verbs in the English language, appearing in almost every domain of human activity from charity to physics.

The new law gives citizens the right to access their personal data more easily.

Causal Relationship
When an action or situation leads to a feeling or state. 'His behavior gives me cause for concern.' Here, the behavior is the source of the concern.

This old bridge gives a little when you walk across it, which is quite scary.

The coach gives a pep talk before every single game.

Using gives correctly requires an understanding of sentence structure, specifically the relationship between the subject, the verb, and the objects. As a ditransitive verb, 'gives' often takes two objects: an indirect object (the recipient) and a direct object (the thing being given). The most common pattern is [Subject] + [gives] + [Recipient] + [Thing]. For example, 'John gives Mary a book.' In this sentence, Mary is the recipient and the book is the thing. Alternatively, you can use a prepositional phrase: [Subject] + [gives] + [Thing] + [to] + [Recipient]. For example, 'John gives a book to Mary.' Both are grammatically correct, but the first version is often preferred in casual conversation.

Subject-Verb Agreement
The most critical rule is that 'gives' must follow a singular third-person subject. This includes pronouns like 'he', 'she', and 'it', as well as singular nouns like 'the company', 'my mother', or 'the tree'. If the subject is plural (they, the students), the 's' must be dropped.

The company gives a bonus to every employee at the end of the year.

Another important aspect is the use of 'gives' with abstract nouns. We often say someone 'gives advice,' 'gives permission,' or 'gives a warning.' In these cases, the verb functions to initiate a communication or a social contract. It is also used to describe the capacity of something to provide a certain quality. For instance, 'This lamp gives a warm light' or 'The rug gives the room a cozy feel.' Here, 'gives' is almost synonymous with 'provides' or 'imparts'. It describes a characteristic that the subject adds to its environment.

Inanimate Subjects
It is perfectly normal for non-living things to be the subject of 'gives'. 'The rain gives life to the desert' or 'The clock gives the exact time.' This usage treats the inanimate object as a source of a benefit or information.

That specific color gives the painting a very melancholy atmosphere.

The doctor gives the patient a prescription after the check-up.

You will encounter gives in almost every facet of daily life, from the most formal academic settings to the most casual street slang. In a domestic setting, you might hear a parent say, 'She gives her brother a hard time,' meaning she is teasing or bothering him. In a professional environment, a manager might state, 'This project gives us an opportunity to expand our market share.' Here, 'gives' is used to describe a strategic advantage or a possibility that has arisen from a specific situation.

Media and News
News anchors often use 'gives' when reporting on government actions or scientific breakthroughs. 'The new budget gives more funding to schools' or 'The study gives new insight into climate change.' It is a concise way to explain the impact of an event.

The weather forecast gives a 40% chance of rain for tomorrow afternoon.

In the world of sports, commentators frequently use 'gives' to describe the physical effort or the result of a play. 'He gives it his all on the field' is a common cliché meaning the player is working as hard as possible. Or, 'The defender gives the striker too much space,' which describes a tactical error. In literature and film reviews, you might read that 'The ending gives the viewer a sense of closure,' or 'The cinematography gives the movie a dreamlike quality.' In these contexts, 'gives' is about the emotional or aesthetic effect the work has on the audience.

Common Idiomatic Usage
You will also hear 'gives' in phrases like 'gives a damn' (usually used in the negative to mean not caring) or 'gives someone the cold shoulder' (ignoring someone). These are essential for understanding natural, conversational English.

My boss gives me a lot of responsibility, which I really appreciate.

The teacher gives clear instructions so that no one gets confused.

One of the most frequent errors learners make with gives is related to subject-verb agreement. Because many languages do not change the verb ending for the third person singular, students often say 'He give' instead of 'He gives'. This is a hallmark of early-stage English learning and is something that requires conscious practice to overcome. Another common mistake involves the word order of the direct and indirect objects. While you can say 'He gives her the book' or 'He gives the book to her', you cannot say 'He gives to her the book' or 'He gives the book her'. The 'to' is essential if the recipient comes after the object.

The 'S' at the End
Always check your subject. If it is 'he', 'she', 'it', 'the dog', 'the car', or 'Sarah', you must use 'gives'. If you are using 'I', 'you', 'we', or 'they', the 's' must be removed. 'They gives' is a very common error.

Incorrect: He give me a present every year.
Correct: He gives me a present every year.

Confusing 'gives' with 'takes' is another hurdle. While this might seem obvious, in the heat of conversation, learners sometimes swap them because they both involve the movement of an object. Remember: 'gives' is movement *away* from the subject, and 'takes' is movement *toward* the subject or away from a location. Additionally, be careful with phrasal verbs. 'Gives in' (surrenders) and 'gives out' (distributes or stops working) are very different from the simple verb 'gives'. Using the wrong preposition can completely change your meaning.

Overusing 'Gives'
While 'gives' is a great word, advanced learners should try to use more specific verbs when appropriate, such as 'provides', 'donates', 'grants', or 'presents', to sound more natural and precise.

Incorrect: She gives the book her friend.
Correct: She gives the book to her friend.

Incorrect: It give me a headache.
Correct: It gives me a headache.

To enrich your vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that share a similar meaning with gives but offer different nuances or levels of formality. The most direct synonym is often 'provides', which is slightly more formal and frequently used for services, information, or necessities. For example, 'The hotel provides towels' sounds more professional than 'The hotel gives towels.' Another common alternative is 'offers', which implies that the recipient has the choice to accept or decline. 'She offers him a seat' suggests a polite gesture where the recipient can say no.

Gives vs. Provides
'Gives' is general and can be physical or abstract. 'Provides' usually implies supplying something that is needed or useful over a period of time. 'The school provides lunch' (a regular service) vs 'She gives him her lunch' (a one-time act).

The foundation grants scholarships to talented students from low-income families.

In more specific contexts, you might use 'donates' when talking about charity or 'presents' when talking about a formal ceremony or a gift given with a sense of occasion. 'Grants' is used for official permission or money given by a government or organization. If you are talking about handing something over physically, 'hands' or 'passes' can be more descriptive. 'He passes the salt' is more specific than 'He gives the salt.' Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the word that best fits the social context and the exact nature of the action you are describing.

Gives vs. Supplies
'Supplies' is often used in business or logistics. 'The company supplies parts to the factory.' It implies a bulk or regular delivery of necessary materials.

The witness furnishes the police with all the necessary details of the incident.

The teacher imparts wisdom to her students through her life stories.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The 'g' in 'give' was originally pronounced more like a 'y' in some dialects of Old English (similar to 'yield'), but the hard 'g' we use today was influenced by Old Norse speakers.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ɡɪvz/
US /ɡɪvz/
The word is a single syllable, so the stress is on the entire word.
Rime avec
lives sieves forgives relives outlives misgives shivs spivs
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing the final 's' as an 's' sound instead of a 'z' sound.
  • Using a long 'ee' sound like 'geeves' instead of the short 'i'.
  • Dropping the 'v' sound and saying something like 'giz'.
  • Failing to pronounce the 'g' clearly at the start.
  • Adding an extra syllable at the end, like 'giv-es'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize as a basic verb form.

Écriture 2/5

Requires remembering the 's' for third-person singular.

Expression orale 2/5

Learners often forget the 's' sound in fast speech.

Écoute 1/5

The 'z' sound at the end is usually clear.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

give he she it me

Apprends ensuite

gave given provides offers takes

Avancé

bestows bequeaths concedes relinquishes imparts

Grammaire à connaître

Third-Person Singular Present

He gives (not 'He give').

Ditransitive Verb Structure

She gives him (indirect) the keys (direct).

Prepositional Object Structure

She gives the keys to him.

Uncountable Nouns with Give

He gives advice (not 'an advice').

Phrasal Verbs with Give

She gives up (stops) vs She gives (provides).

Exemples par niveau

1

He gives her a red rose.

Il lui donne une rose rouge.

Subject (He) + Verb (gives) + Indirect Object (her) + Direct Object (a red rose).

2

The teacher gives us homework.

Le professeur nous donne des devoirs.

Third-person singular 'gives' matches the singular 'teacher'.

3

She gives the dog a bone.

Elle donne un os au chien.

Simple present tense for a regular action.

4

My mom gives me an apple every day.

Ma mère me donne une pomme chaque jour.

Adverb of frequency 'every day' often goes with simple present.

5

The sun gives us light.

Le soleil nous donne de la lumière.

'The sun' is 'it', so we use 'gives'.

6

He gives a book to his friend.

Il donne un livre à son ami.

Using 'to' when the object comes before the recipient.

7

The cow gives milk.

La vache donne du lait.

A general fact about an animal.

8

She gives a big smile.

Elle fait un grand sourire.

'Gives' can be used for facial expressions.

1

He gives me a call every weekend.

Il m'appelle chaque week-end.

'Gives a call' is a common expression for phoning someone.

2

She gives great advice to her sisters.

Elle donne de bons conseils à ses sœurs.

'Advice' is uncountable, so no 's' on 'advice'.

3

The waiter gives us the menu.

Le serveur nous donne le menu.

Standard service industry interaction.

4

This movie gives me a happy feeling.

Ce film me donne un sentiment de bonheur.

Using 'gives' for an emotional effect.

5

He gives a presentation at work today.

Il fait une présentation au travail aujourd'hui.

'Gives a presentation' is a common professional phrase.

6

She gives a hug to her grandmother.

Elle fait un câlin à sa grand-mère.

Physical gesture of affection.

7

The machine gives a loud beep.

La machine émet un bip sonore fort.

Using 'gives' for a sound produced by an object.

8

He gives his seat to an old lady on the bus.

Il cède sa place à une vieille dame dans le bus.

Polite social action.

1

The boss gives her a lot of responsibility.

Le patron lui donne beaucoup de responsabilités.

Abstract concept of responsibility.

2

This map gives clear directions to the museum.

Ce plan donne des indications claires pour aller au musée.

Providing information.

3

He gives the impression of being very rich.

Il donne l'impression d'être très riche.

'Gives the impression' means to appear a certain way.

4

The medicine gives some relief from the pain.

Le médicament soulage un peu la douleur.

Describing the effect of a substance.

5

She gives a detailed account of the accident.

Elle donne un récit détaillé de l'accident.

'Account' here means a description or story.

6

The rain gives life to the dry soil.

La pluie redonne vie au sol sec.

Metaphorical use of 'gives life'.

7

He gives a warning before he starts the engine.

Il donne un avertissement avant de démarrer le moteur.

Initiating a communication.

8

This situation gives us a chance to improve.

Cette situation nous donne une chance de nous améliorer.

Providing an opportunity.

1

The evidence gives weight to the theory.

Les preuves donnent du poids à la théorie.

'Gives weight to' means to make something more believable.

2

She gives priority to her family over her career.

Elle donne la priorité à sa famille sur sa carrière.

Allocating importance.

3

The author gives a unique perspective on history.

L'auteur donne une perspective unique sur l'histoire.

Presenting an idea or viewpoint.

4

His silence gives consent to the plan.

Son silence vaut acceptation du plan.

The idea that not speaking means you agree.

5

The new law gives the police more power.

La nouvelle loi donne plus de pouvoir à la police.

Granting authority.

6

The experiment gives consistent results every time.

L'expérience donne des résultats cohérents à chaque fois.

Producing an outcome.

7

She gives a lecture on quantum physics.

Elle donne une conférence sur la physique quantique.

Formal educational delivery.

8

The dark clouds give a sense of impending storm.

Les nuages sombres donnent une sensation de tempête imminente.

Creating an atmosphere or feeling.

1

The treaty gives rise to new diplomatic tensions.

Le traité donne lieu à de nouvelles tensions diplomatiques.

'Gives rise to' is a formal way to say 'causes'.

2

His facial expression gives nothing away.

Son expression faciale ne laisse rien paraître.

Idiom meaning to not reveal any emotion or information.

3

The old floorboard gives slightly when stepped on.

La vieille planche du plancher cède légèrement quand on marche dessus.

Using 'gives' to mean 'bends' or 'yields under pressure'.

4

She gives a masterful performance in the lead role.

Elle livre une performance magistrale dans le rôle principal.

High-level praise for a creative work.

5

The context gives a different meaning to his words.

Le contexte donne un sens différent à ses paroles.

The way surrounding info changes interpretation.

6

The project gives full scope to her creative talents.

Le projet donne toute la mesure de ses talents créatifs.

Providing the opportunity for something to be fully used.

7

The engine gives out a strange smell when it's hot.

Le moteur dégage une odeur étrange quand il est chaud.

Phrasal verb 'gives out' meaning to emit.

8

He gives a nod of acknowledgment as he passes.

Il fait un signe de tête en signe de reconnaissance en passant.

Subtle social gesture.

1

The complexity of the issue gives pause for thought.

La complexité du problème donne matière à réflexion.

Idiom meaning to make someone stop and think carefully.

2

The architecture gives expression to the city's history.

L'architecture exprime l'histoire de la ville.

Using 'gives expression to' for artistic manifestation.

3

The witness gives a deposition under oath.

Le témoin fait une déposition sous serment.

Highly formal legal context.

4

The fabric gives just enough to be comfortable.

Le tissu est juste assez extensible pour être confortable.

Technical use of 'gives' for elasticity.

5

The melody gives way to a more dissonant section.

La mélodie laisse place à une section plus dissonante.

'Gives way to' means to be replaced by.

6

She gives a candid interview about her struggles.

Elle donne une interview franche sur ses difficultés.

'Candid' implies honesty and openness.

7

The sun gives of its heat without diminishing.

Le soleil donne sa chaleur sans s'épuiser.

Literary/poetic phrasing.

8

The research gives the lie to the previous assumptions.

La recherche dément les hypothèses précédentes.

Idiom 'gives the lie to' means to prove something false.

Collocations courantes

gives advice
gives a presentation
gives a call
gives a hug
gives permission
gives a warning
gives a reason
gives evidence
gives a headache
gives priority

Phrases Courantes

gives it a go

— To try something for the first time. It implies a sense of adventure or experimentation.

She isn't sure if she likes skiing, but she gives it a go anyway.

gives a damn

— To care about something. It is almost always used in the negative form to show indifference.

He acts like he doesn't give a damn, but I know he cares.

gives someone a hand

— To help someone with a task. It usually refers to physical help.

He always gives his neighbor a hand with the groceries.

gives birth

— The act of producing a baby. It is a very specific biological use of the word.

The cat gives birth to five tiny kittens in the barn.

gives way

— To collapse or break under pressure. It can also mean to be replaced by something else.

The old wooden fence finally gives way during the storm.

gives a speech

— To deliver a formal talk to an audience. Common at weddings or business events.

The best man gives a very funny speech at the wedding.

gives credit

— To acknowledge someone's contribution or hard work. It is important for fairness.

The boss always gives credit to the team for their success.

gives a ride

— To take someone somewhere in your car. A very common social favor.

He gives his coworker a ride to the station every day.

gives a look

— To look at someone in a specific way that conveys a message or emotion.

She gives him a sharp look when he makes a joke.

gives a chance

— To provide an opportunity for someone to do something. It implies hope or fairness.

The coach gives the new player a chance to play in the final.

Souvent confondu avec

gives vs give

Used for I, you, we, and they. 'Gives' is only for he, she, and it.

gives vs gave

The past tense. 'Gives' is for things happening now or regularly.

gives vs gift

A noun. You can say 'He gives a gift', but you can't say 'He gifts a gift' (though 'gift' is sometimes used as a verb now, 'gives' is safer).

Expressions idiomatiques

"gives someone the cold shoulder"

— To intentionally ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way. It usually happens after an argument.

After their fight, she gives him the cold shoulder for a whole week.

Informal
"gives someone a run for their money"

— To be a strong competitor against someone who is usually the best. It shows high skill.

The young runner gives the champion a run for his money in the race.

Neutral
"gives someone the benefit of the doubt"

— To believe someone is telling the truth even if you are not completely sure. It is a kind gesture.

He is late again, but his boss gives him the benefit of the doubt.

Neutral
"gives someone a piece of one's mind"

— To speak very angrily to someone because they have done something wrong. It is a confrontation.

If he parks in her spot again, she gives him a piece of her mind.

Informal
"gives the green light"

— To give official permission for a project or action to start. It comes from traffic lights.

The director finally gives the green light to start filming.

Business/Neutral
"gives someone the slip"

— To escape from someone who is following or chasing you. Common in spy or action stories.

The thief gives the police the slip in the crowded market.

Informal
"gives up the ghost"

— A humorous or old-fashioned way to say that a machine has stopped working completely.

My old car finally gives up the ghost on the highway.

Informal/Humorous
"gives someone a taste of their own medicine"

— To treat someone as badly as they have treated others. It is a form of revenge.

He is always rude, so she gives him a taste of his own medicine.

Informal
"gives it to someone straight"

— To tell someone the truth directly, even if it is unpleasant or difficult to hear.

The doctor gives it to him straight about his health.

Informal
"gives someone the time of day"

— To pay attention to or be polite to someone. Usually used in the negative to show dislike.

She is so arrogant that she won't even give him the time of day.

Informal

Facile à confondre

gives vs takes

Both involve the movement of an object.

'Gives' is moving something away from the subject to someone else. 'Takes' is moving something toward the subject or away from a place.

He gives me a book (I get it). He takes my book (I lose it).

gives vs provides

They have very similar meanings.

'Gives' is more general and common in speech. 'Provides' is more formal and often used for services or things that are needed.

She gives him a cookie. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi.

gives vs offers

Both involve presenting something to someone.

'Gives' implies the transfer is happening. 'Offers' implies the other person can say yes or no.

He gives her a drink (she has it). He offers her a drink (she might say no).

gives vs lends

Both involve handing something to someone.

'Gives' means the person keeps it forever. 'Lends' means they must return it later.

He gives her a pen (it's hers now). He lends her a pen (she must give it back).

gives vs sends

Both involve something moving to a recipient.

'Gives' usually happens in person. 'Sends' involves a distance or a delivery service.

He gives her a letter (in person). He sends her a letter (by mail).

Structures de phrases

A1

Subject + gives + Object

The sun gives light.

A1

Subject + gives + Person + Object

He gives me a book.

A2

Subject + gives + Object + to + Person

She gives a toy to the baby.

A2

Subject + gives + Abstract Noun

He gives advice.

B1

Subject + gives + Impression + that...

It gives the impression that he is busy.

B2

Subject + gives + Priority + to + Noun

The school gives priority to local children.

C1

Subject + gives + Rise + to + Noun

The change gives rise to many questions.

C2

Subject + gives + Way + to + Noun

The old system gives way to the new one.

Famille de mots

Noms

giver
gift
giving

Verbes

give
gave
given
giving

Adjectifs

given
giving
gifted

Apparenté

forgive
misgive
giveaway
giver
thanksgiving

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely common in both spoken and written English.

Erreurs courantes
  • He give me a book. He gives me a book.

    The subject 'he' requires the third-person singular 's' on the verb.

  • They gives us homework. They give us homework.

    The subject 'they' is plural, so you should not add an 's' to the verb.

  • She gives the book her friend. She gives the book to her friend.

    If the object (the book) comes before the person (her friend), you must use the word 'to'.

  • It gives me an advice. It gives me advice.

    'Advice' is an uncountable noun in English, so you cannot use 'an' with it.

  • He gives up his seat for the lady. He gives his seat to the lady.

    'Gives up' means to quit or surrender. To describe the act of providing a seat, just use 'gives'.

Astuces

The Third-Person 'S'

Always remember the 's' for he, she, and it. A good trick is to think of the 's' as standing for 'Single person'.

Use Synonyms

If you are writing a formal report, try using 'provides' or 'supplies' instead of 'gives' to sound more professional.

Natural Phrasing

Native speakers often say 'gives me a call' instead of 'phones me'. Using these phrases will make you sound more natural.

Listen for Prepositions

Pay attention to words like 'up', 'away', or 'in' after 'gives'. They change the meaning completely (e.g., 'gives up' vs 'gives').

Word Order

Remember: 'Gives [Person] [Thing]' OR 'Gives [Thing] TO [Person]'. Don't mix them up!

Generosity

In English, 'gives' is a very positive word associated with kindness and sharing. Use it often to describe good actions.

What Gives?

If someone asks 'What gives?', they are asking what is wrong or what is happening. It's a common informal expression.

Results

In math and science, use 'gives' to describe the result of an equation or an experiment. 'Two plus two gives four.'

The 'Z' Sound

The 's' at the end of 'gives' is pronounced like a 'z'. Practice saying 'givz' to sound more like a native speaker.

Visualizing

Visualize a person handing a gift to someone else whenever you use the word 'gives'. This helps lock in the meaning.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of the 's' in 'gives' as standing for 'Someone else'. He gives, She gives, It gives. It's always about a third person.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person holding a gift box with a large letter 'S' on the ribbon, handing it to a friend.

Word Web

Hand over Provide Offer Donate Grant Present Supply Yield

Défi

Try to write five sentences about what a tree 'gives' to the world (e.g., shade, oxygen, fruit).

Origine du mot

The word 'gives' comes from the Old English 'giefan', which meant to bestow, deliver, or entrust. It has roots in the Proto-Germanic '*geban', which is also the source of the German 'geben' and Dutch 'geven'.

Sens originel : To bestow or hand over a possession to another person.

Germanic

Contexte culturel

Be aware that 'gives' can sometimes imply a power dynamic (someone having the power to give to someone else). Use 'shares' if you want to sound more equal.

Giving is often associated with holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving, where 'gives' is a very frequent verb in stories and cards.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein The phrase 'It is more blessed to give than to receive' The song 'Give Peace a Chance' by John Lennon

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Family and Friends

  • gives a gift
  • gives a hug
  • gives a call
  • gives a ride

Work and Office

  • gives a presentation
  • gives a report
  • gives feedback
  • gives a deadline

School and Education

  • gives homework
  • gives a lecture
  • gives a grade
  • gives an explanation

Nature and Science

  • gives light
  • gives life
  • gives energy
  • gives a result

Legal and Official

  • gives evidence
  • gives permission
  • gives a statement
  • gives a verdict

Amorces de conversation

"What is the best gift someone gives you for your birthday?"

"Why do you think a teacher gives so much homework sometimes?"

"Who gives you the best advice when you are feeling sad?"

"Does your company gives a bonus to employees at Christmas?"

"What gives you the most energy in the morning: coffee or exercise?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe a time when someone gives you a second chance. How did you feel?

Write about a person who always gives their best effort. What can you learn from them?

Think about nature. What is one thing the earth gives us that we often forget to appreciate?

If a genie gives you three wishes today, what would you ask for and why?

Write about a book or movie that gives you a completely new perspective on life.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is always 'he gives'. In English, we add an 's' to the verb in the present tense when the subject is he, she, or it. This is a very important rule for beginners to learn.

Yes, you can! Even though a tree is not a person, we use 'gives' to describe what it provides to the environment. This is a very common and natural way to speak.

'Gives up' is a phrasal verb that means to stop trying or to quit a habit. For example, 'He gives up smoking' means he stopped smoking. It is different from the simple verb 'gives'.

You can say 'He gives Mary a book' or 'He gives a book to Mary'. Both are correct. In the first one, the person comes first. In the second one, you need the word 'to' before the person.

It is a neutral word. You can use it with your friends, your family, your boss, or in a school essay. It is one of the most useful and versatile words in English.

'Gives' is for things that happen regularly or are always true (e.g., 'The sun gives light'). 'Is giving' is for something happening right now (e.g., 'He is giving a speech at this moment').

Yes, in the phrase 'gives way'. If a bridge 'gives way', it means it collapses or breaks under pressure. It's a more advanced use of the word.

It means to care about something. However, people usually say 'doesn't give a damn' to mean they don't care at all. It is a bit informal and can be slightly rude.

Yes, you can say 'The radio gives a loud noise' or 'The machine gives a beep'. It means the object is producing that sound.

The most common opposite is 'takes'. While 'gives' means to hand something out, 'takes' means to get something or remove it from somewhere.

Teste-toi 180 questions

writing

Write a sentence about a person who gives a gift to their mother.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence about what the sun gives to the earth.

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writing

Write a sentence using the phrase 'gives a call'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives' to describe a work activity.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives' to describe an emotional effect.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives advice'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives priority'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives weight to'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives rise to'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives nothing away'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives way'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives pause for thought'.

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writing

Write a sentence about a teacher who gives homework.

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writing

Write a sentence about a dog and a bone.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives a hug'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives a ride'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives a warning'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives a chance'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives permission'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gives the lie to'.

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speaking

Tell me about something your best friend gives you for your birthday.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

What is something your teacher gives you to help you learn?

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speaking

How often does your boss give you a call?

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speaking

Who gives you the best advice in your family?

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speaking

What gives you the most stress at work or school?

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Describe a time someone gives you a second chance.

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speaking

What gives a person a good reputation in your culture?

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speaking

How does a specific law gives more freedom to people?

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speaking

What gives rise to conflict in a professional environment?

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speaking

Why does a difficult situation gives pause for thought?

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listening

Listen to the sentence: 'He gives her a red rose.' What did he give her?

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listening

Listen to the sentence: 'The sun gives us light.' What does the sun provide?

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listening

Listen to the sentence: 'She gives a call to her mom.' Who did she call?

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listening

Listen to the sentence: 'He gives a presentation at ten.' What time is the presentation?

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listening

Listen to the sentence: 'This music gives me a headache.' What is the effect of the music?

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listening

Listen to the sentence: 'The teacher gives clear instructions.' What kind of instructions are they?

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listening

Listen to the sentence: 'The law gives more power to the police.' Who gets more power?

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listening

Listen to the sentence: 'The evidence gives weight to the theory.' What does the evidence do?

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listening

Listen to the sentence: 'The situation gives rise to many questions.' What does the situation cause?

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listening

Listen to the sentence: 'His face gives nothing away.' Does he show emotion?

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Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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