I gave him

USAGE SUMMARY

"I gave him" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used when describing an action of giving something to someone. Example: "I gave him the book that he had been wanting to read for a long time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I gave him another paper.

Independent

I gave him two $20s.

The New York Times

I gave him a look.

The New York Times

I gave him much more.

The New York Times

I gave him tips".

The Guardian - Sport

I gave him tea.

The New Yorker

I gave him some milk and juice".

The New Yorker

I gave him a first-round grade".

The New York Times - Sports

I gave him a touch of morphine.

The New Yorker

For "Griot" I gave him a poem.

The New York Times - Arts

I gave him a rough budget.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I gave him", ensure the context clearly indicates what was given. Be specific to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "I gave him", specify "I gave him the report".

Common error

Avoid using "I gave him" when the recipient is unclear. Always ensure 'him' has a clear antecedent in the sentence or surrounding context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I gave him" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "gave" is the verb indicating the action of transferring something, "I" is the subject performing the action, and "him" is the indirect object receiving the transferred item or abstract entity. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I gave him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase expressing the act of providing something to a male individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely applicable. Predominantly found in News & Media, it adopts a neutral tone suitable for everyday use. When employing this phrase, specificity is key to avoiding ambiguity. To diversify your writing, alternatives like "I offered him" or "I provided him with" can be used while preserving the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I handed him

Uses "handed" instead of "gave", focusing on the physical act of passing something.

I offered him

Substitutes "gave" with "offered", highlighting the act of proposing or making something available.

I passed him

Similar to 'handed', but can also imply a less formal or quicker transfer.

I provided him with

Replaces "gave" with "provided", stressing the act of supplying or furnishing something necessary.

I supplied him with

Similar to "provided", but can suggest a more regular or ongoing supply.

I presented him with

Replaces "gave" with "presented", emphasizing a more formal or ceremonial offering.

I entrusted him with

Emphasizes the act of giving someone responsibility or something valuable to care for.

I furnished him with

A more formal and less common way of saying "I provided him with."

I allocated to him

Focuses on the distribution or assignment of something to someone.

I bestowed upon him

A more formal and elevated way of saying "I gave him", implying a gift or honor.

FAQs

How can I use "I gave him" in a sentence?

Use "I gave him" to describe the act of providing something to a male individual. For instance, "I gave him the book he requested".

What are some alternatives to "I gave him"?

You can use alternatives like "I offered him", "I provided him with", or "I handed him" depending on the context.

Is "I gave it to him" grammatically different from "I gave him it"?

"I gave it to him" is grammatically correct and commonly used. "I gave him it" is generally considered incorrect in standard English.

What's the difference between "I gave him advice" and "I gave him some advice"?

"I gave him advice" is grammatically correct but sounds less natural. "I gave him some advice" is more common and idiomatic because "advice" is an uncountable noun.