Conjugation of "Give" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To transfer possession of something to another person.
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All 12 Tenses of "Give"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "give" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I give |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I gave |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will give |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am giving |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was giving |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be giving |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have given |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had given |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have given |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been giving |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been giving |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been giving |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Give" — Gave
The past simple of "give" is "gave". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "give" is irregular, "gave" is not formed by adding -ed — you have to memorize this form. See our simple past tense guide for a deeper explanation of the simple past.
Past Participle of "Give" — Given
The past participle of "give" is "given". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have given"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was given"). Because "give" is irregular, "given" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.
Is "Give" Regular or Irregular?
"Give" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "give", past simple "gave", and past participle "given". The 3rd-person singular present is "gives" and the present participle/gerund is "giving". Conjugation pattern: ablaut: give-gave-given.
Conjugation pattern: ablaut: give-gave-given
How to Pronounce "Give" and Its Forms
Give: /ɡɪv/ — Stress pattern: O
One syllable: /ɡɪv/. Common word, simple pronunciation with short 'i' vowel.
How to Use "Give" — Common Grammar Patterns
"Give" means to transfer something to someone. Forms: give, gives, gave, given. Common in phrasal verbs: give up, give back, give away, give in.
S + V + O + to-NPS + V + NP + NP (double object)
Example Sentences with "Give" in Different Tenses
- Simple Present: Can you give me that book? A1
- Simple Future: She will give him a present. A1
Common Collocations with "Give"
- give advice — Can you give me advice on this?
- give a presentation — She is giving a presentation tomorrow.
- give a gift — I want to give you a gift.
- give permission — Did your parents give you permission?
- give up — Don't give up; keep trying!
When to Use "Give" vs Similar Verbs
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- hand — specifically for physical transfer with hands
- offer — suggests presenting a choice; recipient can accept or
Common Mistakes with "Give"
-
Wrong: She give him a book.
Correct: She gives him a book.
Use "gives" with third-person singular. -
Wrong: I have gave it to you.
Correct: I have given it to you.
Past participle is "given", not "gave". -
Wrong: They giving up too early.
Correct: They are giving up too early.
Use "are" before present participle.
Conjugation Tables for "Give"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not give · He does not give
- Simple past: I did not give · She did not give
- Present perfect: I have not given · He has not given
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you give? · Does he give?
- Simple past: Did you give?
- Present perfect: Have you given?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is given
- Simple past passive: It was given
- Present perfect passive: It has been given
Frequently Asked Questions About "Give"
- Is "give" regular or irregular?
- "give" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "gave" and past participle is "given". You must memorize these forms.
- What is the past tense of "give"?
- The simple past of "give" is "gave".
- What's the difference between the past simple and past participle of "give"?
- The past simple is "gave" and the past participle is "given". Use past simple for completed past actions ("I gave yesterday"). Use past participle with have/has ("I have given").
- What's a common mistake with "give"?
- Use "gives" with third-person singular. Wrong: "She give him a book." Correct: "She gives him a book."