GAVE UP

Human Communication

"The wise soul who gave up yesterday’s burden finds clarity and strength in the simple moments of today."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'gave up' means to stop trying to achieve something, often due to difficulty, discouragement, or impossibility of success.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'gave up' means to stop trying to achieve something, often due to difficulty, discouragement, or impossibility of success.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
The verb and particle must stay together.
Register
Neutral
Suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
Transitive
Yes
Requires a direct object, something you stop doing.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple give up I give up on difficult tasks too easily.
Past Simple gave up She gave up her piano lessons last year.
Present Continuous giving up He is considering giving up on his current job.
Present Perfect have given up They have given up on the project due to budget issues.

💡 When to Use

Facing difficult challenges
Use when someone is struggling with challenges that seem insurmountable and decides to cease efforts.
Example: "He gave up trying to fix the car after hours of effort."
Ending a pursuit
Utilize when describing someone stopping a pursuit or challenge they had been engaged in.
Example: "She gave up her dream of becoming a dancer."
In emotional context
Employ when someone is overwhelmed emotionally and decides to stop trying.
Example: "John gave up after numerous failed attempts to reconcile."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

wrong verb tense
❌ Wrong: I giving up my hobbies.
✅ Correct: I give up my hobbies.
💡 Tip: Ensure correct tense when using verb.
missing object
❌ Wrong: They gave up easily.
✅ Correct: They gave up the competition easily.
💡 Tip: Always include what is being given up.
incorrect particle
❌ Wrong: He gave off smoking.
✅ Correct: He gave up smoking.
💡 Tip: Remember, it's 'up' not 'off'.
Practice

GAVE UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

  • 1
    Listen to example

    After hours of working on the puzzle, she finally gave up.

    Words Multiplied
  • 2
    Listen to example

    Due to constant failures, the team gave up on the new strategy.

    Words Multiplied
  • 3
    Listen to example

    He gave up hope of finding his missing cat.

    Words Multiplied

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

quit surrender

Antonyms

persevere

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"After trying for years, he eventually ___ up."

gives
gave up
give
giving

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Gave Up

What is the origin of gave up?

+
The phrase 'gave up' comes from the Old English 'giefan up', meaning to surrender or relinquish ownership, utilized since the 15th century.

Can gave up be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
'Gave up' is versatile, applicable in both formal discussions, like reports or essays, and informal conversations, such as chatting with friends.

What is the difference between gave up and quit?

+
While both mean stopping an activity, 'gave up' can imply more emotional investment, whereas 'quit' is more straightforward and neutral.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

give inback downstep backlet gowalk away from
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Human Communication Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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