Are you ever confused about whether to use “brings” or “bring” in your writing? It’s not uncommon to mix up these two words, but fear not! By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of which word to use and when.
We should address the question of which word is the proper word to use. The answer is… both! “Brings” and “bring” are both proper words in the English language. However, they are used in different contexts and have slightly different meanings.
“Brings” is typically used in the present tense and refers to something that is being brought or carried to a certain place or person. For example, “She brings her lunch to work every day.” In this sentence, “brings” is used to indicate that the subject is carrying her lunch with her to work.
“Bring,” on the other hand, is used in a variety of tenses and refers to the act of carrying or delivering something to a certain place or person. For example, “I will bring my book to the library tomorrow.” In this sentence, “bring” is used to indicate that the subject will carry his book with him to the library.
Now that we’ve established the difference between “brings” and “bring,” let’s dive deeper into the contexts in which they are used. In the following sections, we’ll explore the different tenses and forms of these words, as well as some common phrases and idioms that use them.
Brings
Brings is a present tense verb that refers to the action of carrying or delivering something to a specific location or person. It is often used to describe the act of bringing an object or person from one place to another.
For example, “She brings her lunch to work every day” implies that the subject carries her lunch with her to her workplace on a daily basis.
Brings can also be used to indicate the result or consequence of an action. For instance, “His hard work brings him success” suggests that the individual’s hard work leads to his success.
Bring
Bring is an infinitive form of the verb that refers to the act of carrying or delivering something to a specific location or person. It is often used to describe the action of bringing an object or person from one place to another.
For example, “I will bring my laptop to the meeting” implies that the speaker intends to carry their laptop with them to the meeting.
Bring can also be used as a command or request. For instance, “Bring me some water” is a command that instructs someone to deliver water to the speaker.
Additionally, bring can be used to describe the act of causing something to happen or exist. For example, “His actions brought about change in the organization” suggests that the individual’s actions caused change to occur within the organization.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the correct form of “brings” or “bring” in a sentence can be confusing for many people. However, understanding the proper usage of these words is essential for effective communication. In this section, we will discuss how to use “brings” and “bring” correctly in a sentence.
How To Use “Brings” In A Sentence
The word “brings” is the present tense of the verb “bring.” It is used to describe an action that is happening now or regularly. Here are some examples:
- She brings her lunch to work every day.
- The new policy brings changes to the company.
- His hard work brings success.
As you can see, “brings” is used to describe an action that is currently happening or will happen in the future. It is also used to describe a general truth or fact.
How To Use “Bring” In A Sentence
The word “bring” is also a verb, but it is the infinitive form. It is used to describe an action that will happen in the future. Here are some examples:
- Can you bring me a glass of water?
- I will bring my guitar to the party.
- Please bring your ID to the meeting.
As you can see, “bring” is used to describe an action that will happen in the future. It is also used to make a request or give a command.
It is important to note that “bring” can also be used in the present tense, but only in certain situations. For example, “I bring my lunch to work every day” is correct if you are describing a regular action that you do. However, if you are describing an action that is happening right now, you should use “brings.”
By understanding the proper usage of “brings” and “bring,” you can communicate more effectively and avoid common mistakes.
More Examples Of Brings & Bring Used In Sentences
In this section, we will explore more examples of how to use “brings” and “bring” in a sentence. These examples will help you understand the proper usage of the two words and avoid common mistakes.
Examples Of Using “Brings” In A Sentence
- The new software brings a lot of features to the table.
- The arrival of the new manager brings hope for change in the company.
- Her talent brings a unique perspective to the project.
- The success of the campaign brings in more customers.
- The new law brings new challenges for businesses.
- The concert brings together people from all over the city.
- The new product brings a fresh approach to the market.
- The partnership brings two companies together for a common goal.
- The charity event brings awareness to an important cause.
- The movie brings back memories of my childhood.
- The promotion brings a higher salary and more responsibilities.
As you can see from these examples, “brings” is used to indicate the introduction of something new or the creation of a certain effect.
Examples Of Using “Bring” In A Sentence
- Can you bring me a glass of water?
- I always bring a book with me when I travel.
- Don’t forget to bring your ID to the party.
- She will bring her own equipment to the game.
- He promised to bring his famous lasagna to the potluck.
- What can I bring to the picnic?
- She always brings her dog to work with her.
- He forgot to bring his homework to school.
- Can you bring the car around to the front of the building?
- She will bring her children to the museum on Saturday.
“Bring” is used to indicate the act of carrying or delivering something to a certain place or person.
By understanding the proper usage of “brings” and “bring,” you can avoid common mistakes and communicate more effectively in your writing and speech.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words “brings” and “bring,” people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and should be used in specific contexts to convey the intended message accurately. Here are some common mistakes people make when using brings and bring interchangeably, with explanations of why they are incorrect:
1. Using “Brings” Instead Of “Bring” In The Imperative Mood
The imperative mood is used to give commands or make requests. When using the imperative mood, “bring” should be used instead of “brings.” For example:
- Incorrect: “Brings me the book, please.”
- Correct: “Bring me the book, please.”
The reason why “brings” is incorrect in this context is that it is a present tense verb that implies ongoing action. In contrast, “bring” is a command that instructs the listener to perform a specific action immediately.
2. Using “Brings” Instead Of “Bring” In The Past Tense
Another common mistake is using “brings” instead of “bring” in the past tense. For example:
- Incorrect: “Yesterday, he brings me flowers.”
- Correct: “Yesterday, he brought me flowers.”
The past tense of “bring” is “brought,” not “brings.” Therefore, using “brings” in this context is grammatically incorrect.
3. Using “Bring” Instead Of “Brings” In The Present Tense
While using “brings” instead of “bring” is a common mistake, the reverse can also be true. For example:
- Incorrect: “The company bring in a lot of revenue.”
- Correct: “The company brings in a lot of revenue.”
In the present tense, “brings” is the correct form of the verb to use with the third-person singular subject, such as “the company.” Using “bring” in this context is grammatically incorrect.
4. Using “Brings” Instead Of “Bring” With Countable Nouns
When referring to countable nouns, such as people or objects, “bring” should be used instead of “brings.” For example:
- Incorrect: “She brings a lot of experience to the team.”
- Correct: “She brings a lot of experience to the team.”
The reason why “brings” is incorrect in this context is that it implies ongoing action, which is not appropriate when referring to countable nouns.
5. Using “Brings” Instead Of “Bring” With Uncountable Nouns
When referring to uncountable nouns, such as water or information, “brings” should be used instead of “bring.” For example:
- Incorrect: “The report bring a lot of information.”
- Correct: “The report brings a lot of information.”
The reason why “brings” is correct in this context is that uncountable nouns are grammatically singular and require the third-person singular form of the verb.
Offer Tips On How To Avoid Making These Mistakes In The Future
To avoid making these common mistakes in the future, it is important to understand the differences between “brings” and “bring” and when to use each one. Here are some tips:
- Pay attention to the context in which the words are being used.
- Remember that “bring” is used in the imperative mood and with countable nouns.
- Remember that “brings” is used in the present tense with third-person singular subjects and with uncountable nouns.
- Practice using the words correctly in context to reinforce the correct usage.
By following these tips and being mindful of the correct usage of “brings” and “bring,” you can avoid making these common mistakes and communicate more effectively in writing.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between “brings” and “bring,” context is everything. Both words are forms of the verb “to bring,” but they are used in different contexts and with different subjects. Understanding these nuances is key to using the correct form of the verb in any given situation.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “brings” and “bring” might change:
| Context | Example | Correct Form |
|---|---|---|
| Singular Subject | John always ______ his guitar to parties. | brings |
| Plural Subject | The band members ______ their own instruments to the gig. | bring |
| Future Tense | We ______ snacks to the movie tonight. | will bring |
| Past Tense | She ______ her own lunch to work yesterday. | brought |
| Command/Imperative | ______ me the remote, please. | bring |
As you can see, the choice between “brings” and “bring” depends on the subject of the sentence, the tense, and whether the sentence is a command or not. It’s important to keep these factors in mind when choosing the correct form of the verb.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using brings and bring are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they might not apply. Here are some examples:
1. Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb and a preposition or adverb that function as a single unit with a different meaning than the individual words. In some cases, the choice between brings and bring can depend on the specific phrasal verb being used.
| Phrasal Verb | Correct Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bring up | Bring | Can you bring up the topic at the meeting? |
| Bring about | Bring | The new policy will bring about significant changes. |
| Bring down | Bring | The scandal could bring down the entire company. |
| Bring along | Bring | Don’t forget to bring along your passport. |
2. Regional Differences
In some regions, there may be differences in how brings and bring are used. For example, in some parts of the United States, the word “brung” is used instead of “brought” as the past tense of bring. Additionally, some dialects may use one form more frequently than the other.
3. Idiomatic Expressions
Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have a different meaning than the individual words used. In some cases, the correct form of brings or bring may depend on the specific idiomatic expression being used.
- Bring to light – Bring
- Bring home – Bring
- Bring to a boil – Bring
- Bring to tears – Brings
It’s important to note that these exceptions are not exhaustive, and there may be other cases where the rules for using brings and bring may not apply. However, by understanding these exceptions, you can improve your ability to use these words correctly in your writing and speech.
Practice Exercises
Improving your understanding and usage of brings and bring can be achieved through practice. Here are some exercises to help you:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blanks
Choose the correct form of brings or bring to fill in the blanks in the following sentences:
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|
| The new employee _______ donuts to share with the team. | brings |
| Can you _______ me a glass of water? | bring |
| The concert _______ back fond memories of my youth. | brings |
| Don’t forget to _______ your umbrella in case it rains. | bring |
Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence
Rewrite the following sentences to use the correct form of brings or bring:
- “I always _______ my lunch to work.” – Bring
- “The aroma of freshly baked bread _______ back memories of my grandmother’s kitchen.” – Brings
- “The speaker _______ up a good point during the presentation.” – Brought
- “Can you _______ me the stapler?” – Bring
Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences
Create three original sentences using brings and bring correctly. Then, switch sentences with a partner and have them correct any errors.
By practicing these exercises, you will become more confident in your usage of brings and bring in your writing and speech.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the proper use of “brings” and “bring” is crucial for effective communication. Here are the key takeaways from this article:
1. “Brings” Is Used For Singular Subjects, While “Bring” Is Used For Plural Subjects.
Understanding this basic rule can help you avoid common mistakes and improve your writing. Remember to always match the subject with the correct form of the verb.
2. “Brings” Implies A Sense Of Singular Action, While “Bring” Suggests Multiple Actions.
Consider the context in which you are using these words. Are you referring to a single event or action, or multiple ones? This can help you determine which word to use.
3. Proper Grammar And Language Use Can Enhance Your Credibility And Professionalism.
By paying attention to details like verb usage, you can demonstrate your expertise and attention to detail. This can be especially important in professional settings, such as job applications or business communications.
Overall, understanding the difference between “brings” and “bring” is just one small part of mastering the English language. We encourage readers to continue learning and improving their grammar and language skills. By doing so, you can become a more effective communicator and achieve greater success in your personal and professional life.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.