bring
- 01 A1 Beginner
to take or carry someone or something to a place or person.
to carry, convey, or conduct something or someone toward the speaker or a specified destination. Often ditransitive, taking both a direct and indirect object.
Simple“Please bring your laptop to the meeting so we can look at the files.”
In context“The courier was instructed to bring the confidential documents directly to the CEO's office without stopping at the reception desk.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
to cause something to happen or exist.
to cause, occasion, or result in a particular state or event.
Simple“The heavy rains will bring much-needed water to the dry fields.”
In context“The new economic policy is expected to bring significant changes to the manufacturing sector over the next decade.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
to start a legal process or charge against someone.
to initiate or institute legal proceedings, such as a lawsuit or formal charges.
Simple“The police decided to bring charges against the driver after the accident.”
In context“The environmental group intends to bring a lawsuit against the corporation for its repeated violations of waste disposal regulations.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
to be sold for a certain amount of money.
to produce a specific price or income when sold.
Simple“The rare painting is expected to bring millions at the auction tomorrow.”
In context“The sale of the subsidiary is projected to bring a substantial profit, which will be reinvested into research and development.”
The verb is transitive and often takes both a direct and indirect object ('bring someone something'). It implies movement toward the speaker, whereas 'take' implies movement away.
bring vs take — Bring describes movement toward the speaker or the current point of reference, while take describes movement away from the speaker or toward a different location.
bring vs fetch — Bring is a one-way movement toward the speaker, while fetch is a two-way trip to go get something and return with it.
Use 'bring' for movement toward the person you are speaking to; 'take' is for movement away from the current location.
Usage brings together · bring back · bring an end