Word
gave
US/ˈɡeɪv/
UK/ɡˈeɪv/
Definitions
01past tense of give
A1 · Beginner
v. the past tense of 'give'. You use this when you handed something to someone or provided something earlier.
v. the simple past tense of 'give'. This form is used to indicate the completed transfer of an object, information, or permission in the past.
“She gave me a beautiful gift for my birthday last week.”
“The witness gave a detailed account of the incident to the investigators, providing several key facts that had previously been overlooked.”
Usage
As the past tense of an irregular verb, it does not take an '-ed' ending.
Pitfall
I have gave him the book yesterday.
I gave him the book yesterday.
Use 'gave' for the simple past. Use 'given' with 'have' or 'had' for the perfect tenses.
02past participle (nonstandard)
C1 · Advanced Dialect · Informal
v. a casual way some people say 'given' in the past tense.
v. a nonstandard past participle of 'give'. Used in certain dialects or informal speech in place of the standard 'given'.
“He said he should have gave her more time to finish.”
“In some regional dialects, speakers might say they 'should have gave' a warning, though standard English requires the participle 'given' in such constructions.”
Usage
Occurs in phrases like 'I should have gave' instead of 'I should have given'.
Teaching tip
This usage is common in some regional dialects but is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English and formal writing.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English gaf, yaf, ȝaf, from Old English ġæf, ġeaf.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 3
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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