The verb “give” is a fundamental part of the English language, and understanding its various forms and applications across different tenses is crucial for effective communication. This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricate details of using “give” in present, past, and future tenses, as well as its usage in passive voice constructions and idiomatic expressions.
Present Tense
Simple Present
In the simple present tense, the verb “give” is used to describe habitual or general actions.
Example: “I give her a call every day.”
Present Continuous
The present continuous tense, formed with “am/is/are giving,” is used to describe an ongoing action.
Example: “She is giving a speech on climate change today.”
Present Perfect
The present perfect tense, constructed with “has/have given,” is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present.
Example: “I have given three classes already today.”
Present Perfect Continuous
The present perfect continuous tense, formed with “has/have been giving,” is used to describe an ongoing action that started in the past and continues up to the present.
Example: “She has been giving lectures for three years.”
Past Tense
Simple Past
In the simple past tense, the verb “gave” is used to describe a completed action in the past.
Example: “I gave him my advice, but he didn’t listen.”
Past Continuous
The past continuous tense, formed with “was/were giving,” is used to describe an ongoing action in the past.
Example: “They were giving out free samples at the store.”
Past Perfect
The past perfect tense, constructed with “had given,” is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past.
Example: “I had given him my advice, but he didn’t listen.”
Past Perfect Continuous
The past perfect continuous tense, formed with “had been giving,” is used to describe an ongoing action that started before another action in the past.
Example: “She had been giving lectures for three years before she retired.”
Future Tense
Simple Future
In the simple future tense, the verb “will give” is used to describe an action that will occur in the future.
Example: “I will give her a call tomorrow.”
Future Continuous
The future continuous tense, formed with “will be giving,” is used to describe an ongoing action that will occur in the future.
Example: “They will be giving out free samples at the store next week.”
Future Perfect
The future perfect tense, constructed with “will have given,” is used to describe an action that will be completed at a specific point in the future.
Example: “I will have given three classes by the end of the week.”
Future Perfect Continuous
The future perfect continuous tense, formed with “will have been giving,” is used to describe an ongoing action that will be completed at a specific point in the future.
Example: “She will have been giving lectures for three years by the time she retires.”
Passive Voice
Present Passive
In the present passive voice, “is given” or “are given” are used to describe an action where the subject receives something.
Example: “She is given a birthday present by him.”
Past Passive
The past passive voice, constructed with “was given” or “were given,” is used to describe an action where the subject received something in the past.
Example: “They were given free tickets to the concert.”
Future Passive
The future passive voice, formed with “will be given,” is used to describe an action where the subject will receive something in the future.
Example: “They will be given a bonus at the end of the year.”
Idiomatic Expressions
The verb “give” can be used in various idiomatic expressions, such as:
– “Give someone a call”
– “Give a speech”
– “Give a performance”
– “Give someone a thought”
Key Points to Remember
- Giving is the present participle form of “give,” used in active continuous tenses to describe an ongoing action.
- Given is the past participle form of “give,” used in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions to describe completed actions or scenarios where the subject is the recipient of an action.
- Give can function as both a main verb and a dummy verb in certain contexts.
Practice Exercises
To enhance your understanding of the verb “give” and its usage in different tenses, try the following exercises:
- Practice using “give” in various tenses and passive voice constructions.
- Read texts that incorporate the verb “give” in different contexts to improve your reading comprehension and familiarity with its functions.
Reference Links
- Example Sentences of the Verb “Give”
- Conjugation of the Verb “Give”
- Giving or Given: Understanding the Verb “Give”
Hey! I am Arpita Bose Roy. My qualifications are M.A. in English with B. Ed. in both general education and special education. I have 2 years of experience as a “language analyst” at IIT Kharagpur and 4 years of experience as an “Academic Content Developer” at IIT Kharagpur. Currently, I am working as an academic writer at Lambdageeks.