gave away

USAGE SUMMARY

The verb 'gave away' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something giving away an item to another person as an act of generosity. For example, "The charity organization gave away free coats to those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He gave away nothing.

The New York Times

But players gave away things.

The New York Times - Sports

"You gave away Hungary".

The Guardian - Film

The Newmans cheerfully gave away their car.

The New York Times

They also gave away their fancy cat.

The New Yorker

"We gave away no national secrets.

The New York Times

Instead, 24 Ra3 gave away White's advantage.

The New York Times

He seldom gave away his drawings.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Nothing was given away.

Independent

Are we giving away work?

The New York Times

Don't give away chances.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gave away" to clearly indicate the act of transferring possession without expecting something in return, whether it's physical objects, information, or even advantages in a game or negotiation.

Common error

Avoid using "gave away" when the context implies a sale or exchange. "Sold" or "exchanged" are more appropriate in such cases. For instance, instead of saying "He gave away his car for $500", use "He sold his car for $500".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gave away" functions primarily as a phrasal verb in the past tense. It describes an action of transferring possession, revealing information, or losing an advantage. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gave away" is a versatile phrasal verb that effectively communicates the action of freely transferring possession, revealing secrets, or losing an advantage. With 59 real-world examples available in Ludwig, its usage is deemed grammatically correct and very common, primarily within news and media contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for neutral registers, though its formality can vary depending on the specific context. To ensure accurate and precise writing, remember that "gave away" is best used when describing the act of giving something without expecting anything in return. If you're looking for alternatives, consider options like "handed out", "distributed freely", or "disclosed" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

handed out

Focuses on distribution, often in a generous or promotional context.

distributed freely

Emphasizes the act of distributing without charge or obligation.

disclosed

Highlights the act of revealing information that was previously concealed.

relinquished

Emphasizes the act of voluntarily giving up a possession or right.

donated

Implies giving something, especially money or goods, to a charity or good cause.

surrendered

Suggests giving up something, often under pressure or compulsion.

imparted

Refers to sharing knowledge or information.

leaked

Implies revealing secret information, often unofficially.

sacrificed

Highlights the act of giving up something valuable for a greater cause.

yielded

Suggests giving way or conceding, often in a strategic or competitive context.

FAQs

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

You can use "gave away" to describe the action of giving something for free, revealing a secret, or losing an advantage. For example, "The company "gave away" free samples", "He accidentally "gave away" the plot twist", or "The team "gave away" a penalty".

What can I say instead of "gave away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "handed out", "distributed freely", or "disclosed" to convey similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "give away" or "gave away"?

"Give away" is the present tense form, while "gave away" is the past tense. Use "gave away" when referring to a past action, such as "She "gave away" her old clothes yesterday".

What's the difference between "gave away" and "donated"?

While both imply giving something, "donated" specifically suggests giving to a charity or cause, whereas "gave away" is a more general term for giving something for free. For example, "He "donated" money to the Red Cross", versus "She "gave away" her old books to her neighbors".