Take vs Give: Unraveling Commonly Confused Terms

Are you confused about when to use take and when to use give? These two words are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. In this article, we will explore the differences between take and give and when to use each one.

Take and give are both verbs that describe actions related to giving and receiving. However, they have different implications and contexts. Take means to receive or accept something that is given or offered to you. Give means to offer or provide something to someone else.

For example, if someone offers you a piece of cake, you can either take it or decline it. If you take the cake, you are receiving it. If you decline it, you are not accepting it. On the other hand, if you offer someone a piece of cake, you are giving it to them. If they decline it, they are not accepting it.

Throughout this article, we will explore the nuances of take and give and provide examples of when to use each one. By the end, you will have a better understanding of how to use these words correctly in your writing and speech.

Define Take

Take is a verb that means to get hold of something or someone with one’s hands, or to remove something from a particular place. It can also refer to accepting or receiving something that is offered or given.

Take can be used in various contexts, such as taking notes during a lecture, taking a break from work, taking a photograph, taking a pill, taking a test, or taking someone’s advice. It can also be used to describe the act of stealing or seizing something without permission or consent.

Additionally, take can be used as a noun, referring to the amount of something that is taken, such as a take of a movie or a musician’s take of a song.

Define Give

Give is a verb that means to offer or transfer something to someone else, or to provide something as a gift or donation. It can also refer to performing an action or service for someone else without expecting anything in return.

Give can be used in various contexts, such as giving a speech, giving a gift, giving directions, giving a hug, giving blood, or giving someone a chance. It can also be used to describe the act of conceding or yielding in an argument or negotiation.

Additionally, give can be used as a noun, referring to the act of giving or the thing that is given, such as a give-and-take conversation or a charitable give.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right words in a sentence is crucial in conveying the intended message. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use the words “take” and “give” in a sentence.

How To Use “Take” In A Sentence

The word “take” is a verb that is commonly used to indicate the act of receiving or acquiring something. Here are some tips on how to properly use “take” in a sentence:

• Use “take” when referring to the act of physically getting something. For example: “I need to take my medication.”
• Use “take” when referring to the act of removing something. For example: “Please take your shoes off before entering the house.”
• Use “take” when referring to the act of accepting or receiving something. For example: “I will take the job offer.”
• Use “take” when referring to the act of enduring or tolerating something. For example: “I can’t take this pain anymore.”

It is important to note that “take” is often used in phrasal verbs, which are a combination of a verb and a preposition. Some common phrasal verbs that use “take” include:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning
Take after	To resemble or have similar traits to someone
Take back	To retract or withdraw something that was said or done
Take down	To write or record something
Take off	To leave or depart, or to become successful quickly
Take up	To start or begin something, or to occupy space

How To Use “Give” In A Sentence

The word “give” is a verb that is commonly used to indicate the act of providing or transferring something to someone else. Here are some tips on how to properly use “give” in a sentence:

• Use “give” when referring to the act of providing something to someone else. For example: “I will give you a ride home.”
• Use “give” when referring to the act of donating or contributing something. For example: “I will give money to charity.”
• Use “give” when referring to the act of conceding or yielding to someone else. For example: “I will give you the last slice of pizza.”
• Use “give” when referring to the act of presenting or awarding something. For example: “They will give him an award for his achievements.”

Like “take,” “give” is often used in phrasal verbs. Some common phrasal verbs that use “give” include:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning
Give away	To give something for free, or to reveal a secret
Give in	To surrender or yield to someone else
Give off	To emit or release something, such as a smell or gas
Give up	To abandon or stop doing something, or to surrender
Give back	To return something that was borrowed or taken

More Examples Of Take & Give Used In Sentences

Understanding the proper usage of the words take and give is crucial to effective communication. Here are some more examples of how to use these words in sentences:

Examples Of Using “Take” In A Sentence

• He decided to take a break from work and go for a walk outside.
• She always takes her coffee with cream and sugar.
• The thief tried to take the woman’s purse, but she held on tightly.
• The doctor advised him to take his medicine every day at the same time.
• Can you take the dog for a walk while I finish cooking dinner?
• She loves to take photographs of nature and landscapes.
• He had to take a pay cut in order to keep his job.
• The teacher asked the students to take out their textbooks and turn to page 45.
• The company decided to take a different approach to marketing this year.
• He always takes his time when making an important decision.

Examples Of Using “Give” In A Sentence

• She decided to give the homeless man some money to help him out.
• He always gives his wife a kiss goodbye before leaving for work.
• The company decided to give its employees a bonus for their hard work.
• Can you give me a hand with these boxes?
• She gave a great presentation at the conference and received a standing ovation.
• The teacher always gives his students extra credit opportunities to help boost their grades.
• He decided to give up smoking for his health.
• The charity organization gives food and supplies to families in need.
• She gives her all when it comes to her job and takes pride in her work.
• He gave his son some valuable advice before he left for college.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “take” and “give”, there are some common mistakes that people make. Here are some of those mistakes and why they are incorrect:

Using “Take” Instead Of “Give”

One of the most common mistakes people make is using “take” instead of “give”. For example, saying “Can you take me a pen?” instead of “Can you give me a pen?”. The reason why this is incorrect is that “take” implies that you are physically taking something away from someone, whereas “give” implies that you are giving something to someone. So, if you use “take” instead of “give”, you are essentially asking someone to take something away from you, which doesn’t make sense.

Using “Give” Instead Of “Take”

Another common mistake is using “give” instead of “take”. For example, saying “Can you give me a shower?” instead of “Can you take a shower?”. The reason why this is incorrect is that “give” implies that you are giving something to someone, whereas “take” implies that you are physically moving yourself or something to another location. So, if you use “give” instead of “take”, you are essentially asking someone to give you a shower, which doesn’t make sense.

Using The Wrong Prepositions

Another mistake people make is using the wrong prepositions with “take” and “give”. For example, saying “Can you give me a ride to the airport?” instead of “Can you take me to the airport?”. The reason why this is incorrect is that “give” implies that you are giving something to someone, whereas “take” implies that you are physically moving yourself or something to another location. So, if you use “give” instead of “take”, you are essentially asking someone to give you a ride, which doesn’t make sense.

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, here are some tips:

• Think about the meaning of the words “take” and “give” before using them.
• Double-check your sentences to make sure you are using the correct word.
• Practice using the words “take” and “give” in different contexts to get a better understanding of their meanings.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “take” and “give,” context plays a crucial role. While both words are opposites and often used in contrast to each other, the choice between them can vary depending on the situation.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “take” and “give” might change:

Context	Choice Between “Take” and “Give”	Explanation
Gift-Giving	Give	When giving a gift, the word “give” is appropriate as it conveys a sense of generosity and kindness.
Business Negotiations	Take	In a business negotiation, the word “take” may be more appropriate as it conveys a sense of assertiveness and confidence.
Relationships	Both	In a relationship, both “take” and “give” are important. “Give” conveys a sense of generosity and selflessness, while “take” conveys a sense of assertiveness and self-care.

As you can see, the choice between “take” and “give” can vary widely depending on the context in which they are used. It is important to consider the connotations and implications of each word before choosing which one to use.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “take” and “give” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they might not apply. Here are a few examples:

1. Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb and a preposition or adverb that function as a single unit. In some cases, the preposition or adverb can change the meaning of the verb and affect whether “take” or “give” is used. For example:

• “Take off” means to remove something, while “give off” means to emit something.
• “Take in” means to understand something, while “give in” means to surrender.

It’s important to pay attention to the preposition or adverb in phrasal verbs to determine whether “take” or “give” is appropriate.

2. Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have a different meaning than the literal definition of the words used. In some cases, these expressions may use “take” or “give” in a way that doesn’t follow the usual rules. For example:

• “Take a rain check” means to decline an invitation but suggest doing it at a later time, while “give a rain check” is not commonly used.
• “Give someone the benefit of the doubt” means to believe someone’s version of events, while “take the benefit of the doubt” is not commonly used.

When encountering idiomatic expressions, it’s best to learn them as a whole rather than trying to apply the usual rules for “take” and “give.”

3. Regional Differences

In some regions or dialects, the rules for using “take” and “give” may be different than what is considered standard. For example, in some parts of the United States, “take” is used instead of “bring” in certain situations, such as “I’m going to take the kids to school.” This usage is not considered standard English, but it is accepted in some regions.

It’s important to be aware of regional differences in language and to adjust your usage accordingly when communicating with people from different areas.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have a better understanding of the differences between “take” and “give”, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Here are a few exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these two verbs in sentences:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct verb (take or give) to complete each sentence:

Sentence	Answer
Can you ________ me a hand with this box?	give
I need to ________ my car to the mechanic.	take
She always ________ her time when getting ready.	takes
He decided to ________ up smoking for his health.	give
Can you ________ me a ride to the airport?	give
She ________ him a book for his birthday.	gave

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite each sentence using the opposite verb:

1. She took a break from work.
2. He gave his dog a treat.
3. They took a vacation to Hawaii.
4. She gave her sister a hug.
5. He took the blame for the mistake.

Answers:

1. She gave work a break.
2. He took his dog a treat.
3. They gave Hawaii a vacation.
4. She took her sister a hug.
5. He gave the mistake the blame.

By completing these exercises, you can improve your understanding of when to use “take” and “give” in sentences. Remember to pay attention to the context of the sentence and think about whether you are giving or taking something.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “take” and “give,” it is clear that these two verbs have distinct meanings and usage in the English language. Take is used to indicate receiving or obtaining something, while give is used to indicate providing or donating something.

It is important to use these verbs correctly in order to effectively communicate your intended meaning. Incorrect usage can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.

Remember to pay attention to context and the specific meaning you want to convey when deciding whether to use “take” or “give.”

Overall, understanding the nuances of grammar and language use can greatly improve your communication skills. Keep learning and exploring the intricacies of the English language to continue improving your writing and speaking abilities.