What does "bring" mean?

1. (to carry to a place) to take or carry someone or something to a place or person. 2. (to cause or result in) to cause something to happen or exist. 3. (to start a legal case) to start a legal process or charge against someone. 4. (to earn or fetch) to be sold for a certain amount of money.

bring

Q: Is it correct to say "I will take this to you tomorrow"?

No — say "I will bring this to you tomorrow". Use 'bring' for movement toward the person you are speaking to; 'take' is for movement away from the current location.

US //ˈbɹɪŋ// UK //bɹˈɪŋ// bring

1 to carry to a place (v.)
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.

Example

Please bring your laptop to the meeting so we can look at the files.

Example

The courier was instructed to bring the confidential documents directly to the CEO's office without stopping at the reception desk.
- take
- remove
2 to cause or result in (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to cause something to happen or exist.

to cause, occasion, or result in a particular state or event.

Example

The heavy rains will bring much-needed water to the dry fields.

Example

The new economic policy is expected to bring significant changes to the manufacturing sector over the next decade.
- prevent

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3 to start a legal case (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

to start a legal process or charge against someone.

to initiate or institute legal proceedings, such as a lawsuit or formal charges.

Example

The police decided to bring charges against the driver after the accident.

Example

The environmental group intends to bring a lawsuit against the corporation for its repeated violations of waste disposal regulations.
- drop
- withdraw
4 to earn or fetch (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to be sold for a certain amount of money.

to produce a specific price or income when sold.

Example

The rare painting is expected to bring millions at the auction tomorrow.

Example

The sale of the subsidiary is projected to bring a substantial profit, which will be reinvested into research and development.

Usage

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.

Pitfall

I will take this to you tomorrowI will bring this to you tomorrowUse 'bring' for movement toward the person you are speaking to; 'take' is for movement away from the current location.

Idioms26 entries