be given to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be given to" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to have a tendency or inclination towards something. You can use it in formal or informal writing. Example: She was given to long walks in the park, even in the cold winter weather. This sentence means that the person has a tendency to enjoy going on long walks in the park, even during the winter season.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In fact, it allows you to be given to!

Huffington Post

It will be given to relatives.

The New York Times

"Antivirals have to be given to them.

The New Yorker

Medications may be given to relieve nausea.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They should be given to the nation.

The Guardian - Arts

That would now be given to Lola.

The Guardian - Books

That windfall would be given to investors.

The Guardian - Money

Should cold tea be given to houseplants?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Everything collected will be given to charities.

The New York Times

"He thought the information would be given to the police.

The Guardian

The report will be given to Gov. Jeb Bush tomorrow.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be given to" to indicate a tendency or inclination, ensuring the subject is capable of exhibiting that tendency. For example, "She is given to exaggeration" is better than "The table is given to exaggeration."

Common error

Avoid using "be given to" when a direct action is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The book was given to me", consider "I was given the book" or "Someone gave me the book" for more clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be given to" functions as a passive construction, typically used to indicate a tendency, inclination, or disposition towards something. As Ludwig AI shows, it's used to describe a habitual behavior or characteristic. Examples from Ludwig include describing someone "given to long walks" or "given to exaggeration".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be given to" is a versatile expression, primarily used to indicate a tendency, inclination, or allocation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals that it frequently appears in contexts related to News & Media and Science, suggesting its suitability for neutral to formal registers. While offering a nuanced way to describe inherent qualities or allocations, it's important to avoid using it in place of more direct active constructions and to consider more precise alternatives like "be inclined to" or "be devoted to" when appropriate. Finally, remember that, as the examples from Ludwig show, nothing in life is going to "be given to" you.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tend to be

This alternative focuses on habitual behavior or inclination, similar to a tendency, but with a slightly different verb construction.

be inclined to

Implies a disposition or willingness towards something, offering a more psychological take on inclination.

be prone to

Highlights a susceptibility or vulnerability, adding a connotation of potential negative outcomes.

be liable to

Indicates a legal or probabilistic expectation, shifting the context towards obligation or likelihood.

be subject to

Suggests that something is controlled by or dependent on something else, changing the focus to external influence.

be awarded to

This alternative emphasizes the act of bestowing or granting something, focusing on the bestowal.

be granted to

Similar to "be awarded to", it implies formal permission or authorization.

be allocated to

Focuses on the distribution of resources or tasks, changing the context to assignment.

be assigned to

Like "be allocated to", it emphasizes the act of delegation or task assignment.

be predisposed to

Highlights a genetic or inherent inclination, suggesting a pre-existing tendency.

FAQs

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

You can use "be given to" to indicate a tendency or inclination. For example, "He is "given to making" grand pronouncements" suggests he often makes such statements.

What's a more formal alternative to "be given to"?

A more formal alternative could be "be inclined to", which suggests a disposition towards something but in a slightly more sophisticated tone.

Is it correct to say "was given to" or should I use another tense?

Both "was given to" and other tenses are grammatically correct, depending on the context. "Was given to" describes a past tendency. For present tendencies, use "is given to", and for future, "will be given to".

What's the difference between "be given to" and "be devoted to"?

"Be given to" implies a tendency or inclination, while "be devoted to" implies strong dedication or commitment. They are not interchangeable; one suggests habit, the other dedication.