Give vs. Gave: Difference and Comparison
By Muazma Batool & Muneeza Rehman — Published on May 19, 2024
"Give" is the present tense form of the verb, used to describe the act of presenting or offering something currently, while "gave" is the simple past tense, used to describe the act that has already occurred.
Difference Between Give and Gave
"Give" is the base form of the verb, implying the action of presenting or offering something to someone currently or in general terms. It is used to express a current, habitual, or timeless action. On the other hand, "gave" is the simple past tense form of "give," used to indicate that the act of giving has already been completed in the past.
Muazma Batool
May 19, 2024
When using "give" in a sentence, it often indicates an ongoing action or a general statement. For example, instructions, general truths, or habitual actions involve the verb "give." Whereas "gave" is specifically used to recount actions that have been completed at a specific time in the past, which no longer continue into the present.
Muazma Batool
May 19, 2024
"Give" is versatile, appearing in various grammatical moods, including the imperative, which is used for commands or requests. On the other hand, "gave" is limited to past narrative forms and is commonly seen in storytelling, historical accounts, or completed actions.
Muazma Batool
May 19, 2024
For instance, in the context of a command, you might say, "Give me the book," using the imperative mood. In contrast, if recounting a past event, you would say, "She gave me the book yesterday," placing the action firmly in the past.
Muazma Batool
May 19, 2024
Additionally, "give" can be modified into various forms for different tenses or moods (e.g., giving, gives, given), while "gave" remains fixed in its simple past form and does not change.
Elijah
May 19, 2024
Give vs. Gave Comparison Chart
Grammatical Moods
Can appear in imperative, indicative, etc.
Limited to indicative past
Muazma Batool
May 19, 2024
Give vs. Gave Definitions
◉Give
To carry out a physical gesture.
The bridge might give if the flood worsens.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Gave
Past action of carrying out a physical gesture.
The shelf gave under the weight of the books.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Give
To provide or supply a measured amount.
The recipe says to give two cups of flour.
William
Apr 29, 2024
◉Gave
Past tense of give; transferred possession in the past.
She gave her friend a ride home last night.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Gave
Executed a command or instruction in the past.
The director gave the go-ahead for the project last week.
Elijah
Apr 29, 2024
◉Gave
Provided or supplied in the past.
He gave a lot of thought to your proposal.
Jonathan
Apr 29, 2024
◉Give
To deliver in exchange or recompense; pay
Gave five dollars for the book.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Gave
Yielded or conceded under pressure in the past.
The negotiations finally gave way to a signed agreement.
Nolan
Apr 29, 2024
◉Give
To bestow, especially officially; confer
The Bill of Rights gives us freedom of speech.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To put temporarily at the disposal of
Gave them the cottage for a week.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To entrust to another, usually for a specified reason
Gave me the keys for safekeeping.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To communicate, convey, or offer for conveyance
Give him my best wishes. Give us the latest news.
William
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To endure the loss of; sacrifice
Gave her son to the war.
Gave her life for her country.
Kaitlyn
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To submit for consideration, acceptance, or use
Give an opinion.
Give an excuse.
Elijah
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To consent to engage (oneself) in sexual intercourse with another person.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To be a source of; afford
His remark gave offense. Music gives her pleasure.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To cause to catch or be subject to (a disease or bodily condition)
The draft gave me a cold.
Lucas
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To guide or direct, as by persuasion or behavior. Used with an infinitive phrase
You gave me to imagine you approved of my report.
Nolan
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To take an interest to the extent of
"My dear, I don't give a damn" (Margaret Mitchell).
William
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To collapse from force or pressure
The roof gave under the weight of the snow.
Elijah
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
The quality or condition of resilience; springiness
"Fruits that have some give ... will have more juice than hard ones" (Elizabeth Schneider).
Elijah
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
(ditransitive) To move, shift, provide something abstract or concrete to someone or something or somewhere.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To transfer one's possession or holding of (something) to (someone).
I gave him my coat.
I gave my coat to the beggar.
When they asked, I gave my coat.
Lucas
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To make a present or gift of.
I'm going to give my wife a necklace for her birthday.
She gave a pair of shoes to her husband for their anniversary.
He gives of his energies to the organization.
Leo
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To provide (something) to (someone), to allow or afford.
I gave them permission to miss tomorrow's class.
Please give me some more time.
Leo
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To cause (a sensation or feeling) to exist in.
It gives me a lot of pleasure to be here tonight.
The fence gave me an electric shock.
My mother-in-law gives me nothing but grief.
William
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To carry out (a physical interaction) with (something).
I want to give you a kiss.
She gave him a hug.
I'd like to give the tire a kick.
I gave the boy a push on the swing.
She gave me a wink afterwards, so I knew she was joking.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To pass (something) into (someone's hand, etc.).
Give me your hand.
On entering the house, he gave his coat to the doorman.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To cause (a disease or condition) in, or to transmit (a disease or condition) to.
My boyfriend gave me chlamydia.
He was convinced that it was his alcoholism that gave him cancer.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
(transitive) To provide, as, a service or a broadcast.
They're giving my favorite show!
Elijah
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
(ditransitive) To estimate or predict (a duration or probability) for (something).
I give it ten minutes before he gives up.
I give it a 95% chance of success.
I'll give their marriage six months.
Henry
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
(intransitive) To yield or collapse under pressure or force.
One pillar gave, then more, and suddenly the whole floor pancaked onto the floor below.
Olivia
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
(intransitive) To lead (onto or into).
The master bedroom gives onto a spacious balcony.
Nolan
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To exhibit as a product or result; to produce; to yield.
The number of men, divided by the number of ships, gives four hundred to each ship.
Leo
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To allow or admit by way of supposition; to concede.
He can be bad-tempered, I'll give you that, but he's a hard worker.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To communicate or announce (advice, tidings, etc.); to pronounce or utter (an opinion, a judgment, a shout, etc.).
The umpire finally gave his decision: the ball was out.
Jonathan
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To grant power, permission, destiny, etc. (especially to a person); to allot; to allow.
William
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
(reflexive) To devote or apply (oneself).
The soldiers give themselves to plunder.
That boy is given to fits of bad temper.
Nolan
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
(slang) To be going on, to be occurring; what gives?
Your outfit is giving!
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
The amount of bending that something undergoes when a force is applied to it; a tendency to yield under pressure; resilence.
This chair doesn't have much give.
There is no give in his dogmatic religious beliefs.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To bestow without receiving a return; to confer without compensation; to impart, as a possession; to grant, as authority or permission; to yield up or allow.
For generous lords had rather give than pay.
Olivia
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To yield possesion of; to deliver over, as property, in exchange for something; to pay; as, we give the value of what we buy.
What shall a man give in exchange for his soul ?
Elijah
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To communicate or announce, as advice, tidings, etc.; to pronounce; to render or utter, as an opinion, a judgment, a sentence, a shout, etc.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To grant power or license to; to permit; to allow; to license; to commission.
It is given me once again to behold my friend.
Then give thy friend to shed the sacred wine.
Levi
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To exhibit as a product or result; to produce; to show; as, the number of men, divided by the number of ships, gives four hundred to each ship.
Kaitlyn
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To devote; to apply; used reflexively, to devote or apply one's self; as, the soldiers give themselves to plunder; also in this sense used very frequently in the past participle; as, the people are given to luxury and pleasure; the youth is given to study.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To set forth as a known quantity or a known relation, or as a premise from which to reason; - used principally in the passive form given.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To attribute; to assign; to adjudge.
I don't wonder at people's giving him to me as a lover.
Lucas
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To excite or cause to exist, as a sensation; as, to give offense; to give pleasure or pain.
Leo
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To cause; to make; - with the infinitive; as, to give one to understand, to know, etc.
But there the duke was given to understandThat in a gondola were seen togetherLorenzo and his amorous Jessica.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To afford a view of; as, his window gave the park.
Whatsoever we employ in charitable uses during our lives, is given away from ourselves.
I fear our ears have given us the bag.
One that gives out himself Prince Florizel.
Give out you are of Epidamnum.
The Babylonians had given themselves over to all manner of vice.
He has . . . given upFor certain drops of salt, your city Rome.
I'll not state themBy giving up their characters.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To yield to force or pressure; to relax; to become less rigid; as, the earth gives under the feet.
Lucas
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To open; to lead.
This, yielding, gave into a grassy walk.
They gave back and came no farther.
The Scots battalion was enforced to give in.
This consideration may induce a translator to give in to those general phrases.
Rooms which gave upon a pillared porch.
The gloomy staircase on which the grating gave.
It would be well for all authors, if they knew when to give over, and to desist from any further pursuits after fame.
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
The elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
William
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense;
She gave him a black eye
The draft gave me a cold
Jonathan
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Be the cause or source of;
He gave me a lot of trouble
Our meeting afforded much interesting information
Olivia
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody;
I gave her my money
Can you give me lessons?
She gave the children lots of love and tender loving care
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow;
Don't pay him any mind
Give the orders
Give him my best regards
Pay attention
Jonathan
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Organize or be responsible for;
Hold a reception
Have, throw, or make a party
Give a course
Jonathan
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Convey or communicate; of a smile, a look, a physical gesture;
Throw a glance
She gave me a dirty look
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Give or supply;
The cow brings in 5 liters of milk
This year's crop yielded 1,000 bushels of corn
The estate renders some revenue for the family
Levi
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Tell or deposit (information) knowledge;
Give a secret to the Russians
Leave your name and address here
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Leave with; give temporarily;
Can I give you my keys while I go in the pool?
Can I give you the children for the weekend?
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Endure the loss of;
He gave his life for his children
I gave two sons to the war
Jonathan
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Place into the hands or custody of;
Hand me the spoon, please
Turn the files over to me, please
He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers
William
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause;
She committed herself to the work of God
Give one's talents to a good cause
Consecrate your life to the church
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Give or convey physically;
She gave him First Aid
I gave him a punch in the nose
Lucas
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Bestow, especially officially;
Grant a degree
Give a divorce
This bill grants us new rights
William
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Move in order to make room for someone for something;
The park gave way to a supermarket
`Move over,' he told the crowd
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Give food to;
Feed the starving children in India
Don't give the child this tough meat
Olivia
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Break down, literally or metaphorically;
The wall collapsed
The business collapsed
The dam broke
The roof collapsed
The wall gave in
The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Estimate the duration or outcome of something;
He gave the patient three months to live
I gave him a very good chance at success
Leo
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Afford access to;
The door opens to the patio
The French doors give onto a terrace
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Manifest or show;
This student gives promise of real creativity
The office gave evidence of tampering
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Submit for consideration, judgment, or use;
Give one's opinion
Give an excuse
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Guide or direct, as by behavior of persuasion;
You gave me to think that you agreed with me
Jonathan
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Inflict as a punishment;
She gave the boy a good spanking
The judge gave me 10 years
Muazma Batool
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
Consent to engage in sexual intercourse with a man;
She gave herself to many men
Olivia
Apr 27, 2024
◉Give
To freely transfer the possession of something to someone.
He likes to give generous gifts.
Kaitlyn
Apr 29, 2024
◉Give
To perform or execute a command or instruction.
The officer will give the signal to start.
Leo
Apr 29, 2024
◉Give
To yield or concede under pressure.
The old door finally gave after years of use.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
Give vs. Gave Frequently Asked Questions
Can "give" be used in commands?
Yes, "give" can be used in commands or requests, as in, "Give me the pen."
Muazma Batool
May 19, 2024
How does the form change in different tenses for "give"?
"Give" can be modified into various forms like "giving" for the present participle or "given" for the past participle, whereas "gave" does not change.
Muazma Batool
May 19, 2024
What is an example of "give" in a general truth?
A general truth example is, "The sun gives light and warmth to the Earth."
William
May 19, 2024
In what contexts is "gave" typically used?
"Gave" is used to recount actions that were completed in the past, typically in storytelling or historical accounts.
Muazma Batool
May 19, 2024
Can you give an example of "gave" in a completed action?
An example of a completed action is, "He gave a speech at the conference last month."
Muazma Batool
May 19, 2024
What does "gave" indicate in a narrative?
In a narrative, "gave" indicates that an action related to giving something was completed in the past.
Nolan
May 19, 2024
What is the basic difference between "give" and "gave"?
"Give" is the present tense form used for current, habitual, or general actions, while "gave" is the simple past tense used to describe actions that have already been completed.
Muazma Batool
May 19, 2024
How is "give" used in the context of providing information?
"Give" is used to indicate the act of providing information, as in, "Please give your attention to the speaker."
Levi
May 19, 2024
What should I remember about the usage of "give" in different moods?
Remember that "give" can be used in various grammatical moods, such as indicative for statements, imperative for orders, and subjunctive for hypotheticals.
Henry
May 19, 2024
What does "gave" imply about the time of action?
"Gave" implies that the action occurred at a definite point in the past.
Kaitlyn
May 19, 2024
Can "gave" be used to discuss future actions?
No, "gave" is specific to past actions and cannot be used to discuss future scenarios.
Olivia
May 19, 2024
Why is it important to distinguish between "give" and "gave"?
Distinguishing between "give" and "gave" is important for correct tense usage, which helps in accurately conveying the timing and nature of actions.
Nolan
May 19, 2024
How does "gave" relate to expressing emotion in past narratives?
"Gave" can be used to express actions of emotion that were completed in the past, such as "She gave a sigh of relief."
William
May 19, 2024
What are some synonyms for "give" in the sense of yielding?
Some synonyms include yield, succumb, or relent.
Lucas
May 19, 2024
Is "give" or "gave" used in hypothetical situations?
"Give" is used in hypothetical situations, especially when discussing potential actions, as in, "I would give more time to this project if I could."
Muazma Batool
May 19, 2024
Content Creators
Written by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
Co-written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
