be given back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be given back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of returning something to its original owner or place. Example: "The lost items will be given back to their rightful owners at the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Cup should be given back.

The Guardian - Sport

"I always believed she'd be given back to us alive".

The New York Times

The decisions should be given back to doctors and nurses".

The New York Times

"Any space consumed by the walkway would be given back".

The New York Times

They hint that the land will not be given back to Mr Assad.

The Economist

"A lot of money's got to be given back," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We want the land to be given back to the owners," he said.

The New York Times

The money raised would be given back to the trust company.

The New York Times

The "rent" can then be given back to offset living expenses once she moves out.

The New York Times

They need, in short, to be given back something by the people who did the taking.

The Guardian - Opinion

She is also affirmation that sometimes it can be given back.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for "be given back" to stress the action of returning something, typically after it was taken or temporarily held by someone else.

Common error

Avoid using "be given back" when the context requires financial reimbursement. "Pay back" or "refund" are more appropriate when dealing with money.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be given back" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something is being returned to someone or something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples show it used in contexts where land, items, or rights are being restored.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be given back" functions as a passive construction used to express the idea of restitution or restoration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and very commonly used, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using "be given back", ensure the context is clear and consider alternative phrases like ""be returned"" or "be restored" to add nuance. Be careful not to confuse it with "pay back" in financial contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be returned

Emphasizes the act of something going back to its original place or owner.

be restored

Suggests a return to a previous condition or state.

be handed back

Highlights the physical act of transferring something back.

be paid back

Specifically refers to the return of money or compensation.

be yielded

Implies surrendering or relinquishing something to be returned.

be remitted

Often used in formal contexts to describe the return of funds.

be ceded

Suggests a formal or legal return of territory or rights.

be relinquished

Emphasizes the act of voluntarily giving something back.

be refunded

Specifically refers to getting money back after a purchase or transaction.

be reimbursed

Implies receiving compensation for expenses incurred.

FAQs

How can I use "be given back" in a sentence?

The phrase "be given back" is used to indicate that something is returned to its original owner or state. For example, "The stolen painting should "be returned" to the museum."

What's the difference between "be given back" and "be returned"?

"Be given back" emphasizes the action of someone actively returning something, while ""be returned"" is more general and can imply a passive process of returning.

Which is correct, "be given back" or "give back"?

"Give back" is an active voice construction, while "be given back" is passive. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the actor or the object receiving the action. For example, "They will give back the land" vs. "The land will be given back."

What are some alternatives to "be given back"?

Alternatives include "be restored", "be handed back", or ""be returned"", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.