Phrasal verb GIVE

John: Hello, guys! It’s me again, John.

Don’t give away a chance to improve your English skills today and join us in learning phrasal verbs that use the verb GIVE. If you don’t know them already, don’t worry. I’ll give you some tips!

Phrasal verbs are very common in spoken and written English so we need them to understand and speak natural English.

Phrasal verb is a verb followed by a preposition or an adverb; the combination creates a meaning different from the original verb.

The phrasal verb GIVE, is a popular English phrasal verb.

In its primary meaning the phrasal verb give is translated like “давать, вручать”.

But if it is used with any of these prepositions: off, in, back, out, up, away, over it has a completely different meaning and some of them have more than one meaning.

Give away

The first meaning is to give something for free, for no payment – раздавать, отдавать (бесплатно или по низкой цене).

I gave away all my old clothes when we moved.

Another meaning is to tell something secret – выдавать, разоблачать.

He doesn’t want to give away how the system works.

One more meaning is to let the chance/ opportunity slip – упускать шанс, возможность.

You shouldn't give away such a well-paid job.

Give back means to return something borrowed – возвращать, отдавать.

Every time he borrows money from me, he never gives it back.

I’ve got your keys at home. I must remember to give you them back.

Give in means to stop trying/surrender – уступать, сдаваться.

Your army is nearly all destroyed? Do you give in?

Another meaning is to give document to the right place/hand in – сдавать (тетради), подавать (заявление, документы).

You must give in your reports next week.

Give off means to produce a smell, heat, sound, etc. – выделять, источать (запах, свет, тепло, дым и т.д.).

The flowers he has brought gave off a wonderful smell.

This lamp gives off a very bright light.

The fire was giving off a lot of smoke.

Give out

The first meaning is to stop working properly, become weaker – заканчиваться (о силах, запасах, терпении).

His patience gave out and he slapped the child.

After doing yoga one hour, her legs finally gave out.

My car finally gave out last week. I will have to buy a new one.

Another meaning is to hand out, to distribute – раздавать, распространять.

He was giving out leaflets on the street.

One more meaning is to produce a signal or sound – издавать (звук).

A kitten gave out a weak moan.

Give over

The first meaning is to stop doing something that is annoying other people – прекращать, переставать делать что-либо.

Come on! Give over crying!

It's time you gave over such childish behaviour.

Another meaning is to devote to – отдаваться, посвящать.

The evening was given over to singing and dancing.

He gave his life over to helping people.

Give up means to stop doing something permanently – отказываться, прекращать, бросать.

I give up. What's the answer?

Another meaning is to give something that is yours to somebody else. – уступить

The kid gave up his seat to the old man.

One more meaning is to end a romantic relationship with somebody – разорвать отношения.

After five years together, she gave him up.

Now it’s time to check how well you’ve remembered the information of the lesson.

Look at the pictures and fill in the proper preposition.

to give back

to give out

to give up/over

to give off

to give up

Rephrase the following sentences using phrasal verbs with GIVE.

1. They’re giving an extra can of cola for free with every five cans you buy!

They’re giving away an extra can of cola with every five cans you buy!

2. It’s difficult to stop smoking forever.

It’s difficult to give up smoking.

3. I’ve got a small electric heater but it doesn’t produce much heat.

I’ve got a small electric heater but it doesn’t give out much heat.

4. Remember to return my pen when you’ve finished with it.

Remember to give my pen back when you’ve finished with it.

5. His book was devoted to analyzing his theory.

His book was given over to analyzing his theory.

Hopefully the information of the lesson was useful to you, guys!

Practise your grammar skills, because practice makes perfect!