gave them over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gave them over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has surrendered or transferred control or responsibility to another party. Example: "After much deliberation, she finally gave them over to the authorities for their actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

HuffPost

BBC

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Then we systematically unwound those controls, gave them over to players in some way," says Petursson.

The Guardian - Tech

On the ensuing free kick, the embattled punter Matt Dodge hit a low, short kick that was returned to the Titans' 49. "The field position we gave them over and over was inexcusable," Coughlin said.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet polls show that those peoples actually liked their currencies and the control it gave them over their economies.What this crisis has thrown a light on is that we are not "Europeans" after all, but Greeks, Germans, French, British and so on.

The Economist

But he gave them over.

BBC

We gave them over $700 billion with little accountability.

Huffington Post

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In primitive times some attempted to appease what they believed to be a hostile, vengeful god by sacrificing their children, giving them over to be slaughtered on altars.

Huffington Post

austerity program gives them over Greek fiscal and economic changes.

The New York Times

"So the more control we can give them over the network, the better".

The New York Times - Tech

At least in the past, they have been happy to use the leverage this gives them over their downstream neighbours.

The Economist

The scientists pooled 834 studies from 87 countries and seven national datasets to give them over a million subjects.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gave them over" when you want to emphasize the act of relinquishing something, be it control, responsibility, or physical possession, to another party. Consider the specific nuances of the situation to determine if a more precise alternative like "handed them over" or "surrendered them" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "gave them over" when the intended meaning is simply providing assistance or support. In those cases, phrases like "helped them" or "supported them" are more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gave them over" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of relinquishing or transferring something (control, responsibility, or physical possession) to someone else. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

HuffPost

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gave them over" is a verb phrase used to indicate the act of relinquishing or transferring something to another party. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively uncommon, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Related phrases include "handed them over" and "surrendered them". When using this phrase, it's important to consider the specific context and choose the most appropriate synonym to convey the intended meaning. Using this phrase instead of the more appropriate synonyms can lead to misunderstandings. Despite its relative infrequency, "gave them over" remains a valid and useful expression in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

handed them over

Implies a physical transfer of something or someone.

surrendered them

Suggests a yielding of control or possession, often under duress.

turned them over

Similar to handing over, but can also imply betrayal or cooperation with authorities.

relinquished control to them

Focuses on the act of giving up control or authority.

ceded authority to them

Formally transferred power or authority.

transferred them

A general term for moving something or someone from one place or person to another.

passed them on

Implies a continuation of responsibility or ownership.

entrusted them

Suggests a level of trust in the recipient.

bestowed them

Implies a gift or honor.

consigned them

Formally handed something over, often for sale or safekeeping.

FAQs

How can I use "gave them over" in a sentence?

You can use "gave them over" to indicate the act of surrendering or transferring something to someone. For example, "After much deliberation, she gave them over to the authorities for their actions."

What's the difference between "gave them over" and "handed them over"?

"Gave them over" can imply a broader transfer of control or responsibility, while "handed them over" often suggests a physical transfer. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What can I say instead of "gave them over"?

You can use alternatives like "turned them over", "relinquished control to them", or "surrendered them" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "gave them over" formal or informal?

"Gave them over" is relatively neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal settings, consider using more precise terms like "ceded authority to them".