but he gave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but he gave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrasting action or situation related to what was previously mentioned. Example: "She was upset about the decision, but he gave her a reassuring smile that made her feel better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But he gave it anyway.

Independent

But he gave no date.

The New York Times

But he gave no indication".

The New York Times

But he gave no explanation.

The Economist

But he gave us a tremendous effort".

The New York Times - Sports

But he gave me a chance.

The New York Times - Sports

But he gave you a good time.

Independent

But he gave them little choice.

The New York Times

But he gave no details.

The New York Times

But he gave no ground.

The Guardian

But he gave it up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but he gave" to introduce a contrasting positive action following a negative situation. For instance, "The situation was dire, but he gave everyone hope."

Common error

Avoid using "but he gave" when there is no real contrast. For example, "He asked for help, but he gave a solution" is less effective than "He asked for help and gave a solution", which simply adds information without contrast.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but he gave" functions as a conjunction introducing a contrasting action. It connects a previous statement with a subsequent action of giving, often implying a positive outcome or unexpected generosity, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but he gave" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a contrasting action involving giving or providing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While it maintains a neutral register, more formal alternatives exist for professional or academic settings. When using this phrase, ensure a genuine contrast exists to maintain clarity and logical flow. Always use "but he gave" to introduce a contrasting positive action following a negative situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, he provided

Replaces "but" with "however" for a more formal tone and "gave" with "provided" to emphasize the act of supplying.

yet he offered

Substitutes "but" with "yet" to indicate a contrast and replaces "gave" with "offered" to highlight a willingness to provide.

nonetheless, he supplied

Uses "nonetheless" instead of "but" for a stronger contrast and "supplied" instead of "gave" to stress the act of furnishing something.

even so, he bestowed

Replaces "but" with "even so" to show concession and uses "bestowed" instead of "gave" to imply a formal or generous offering.

despite that, he presented

Employs "despite that" to highlight a contrast despite a previous statement and substitutes "gave" with "presented" to denote a formal offering or introduction.

in spite of that, he furnished

Similar to "despite that," but uses "furnished" instead of "gave" to suggest providing something necessary or useful.

conversely, he rendered

Uses "conversely" to indicate an opposite action and "rendered" to suggest providing a service or assistance.

on the other hand, he contributed

Replaces "but" with "on the other hand" to introduce an alternative and "gave" with "contributed" to imply providing something as part of a larger effort.

however, he passed on

Replaces "gave" with "passed on", implying he transferred possession or knowledge.

still, he granted

Uses "still" to indicate continuation despite a contrast, and "granted" suggests formally giving something requested or deserved.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "but he gave" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "however, he provided", "yet he offered", or "nonetheless, he supplied". These options offer a more sophisticated way to express contrast and provision.

Is there a subtle difference in meaning between "but he gave" and "however, he offered"?

"But he gave" generally implies a simple act of giving, while "however, he offered" suggests a more deliberate or willing action. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it incorrect to use the phrase "but he gave"?

It's generally incorrect if there is no preceding negative or contrasting situation. The "but" signals a contrast, so without it, a simple conjunction like "and" is more appropriate. Example: "He received the award and he gave a speech" is better than "He received the award but he gave a speech" if the two actions are not contrasting.

What's a common mistake to avoid when using "but he gave"?

A common mistake is using "but he gave" when the contrast is weak or nonexistent. Ensure that the elements being contrasted are genuinely opposing or unexpected. Otherwise, the sentence may sound awkward or illogical. For example, saying "He was tired, but he gave his best effort" works because fatigue and best effort are contrasting ideas.