gave way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gave way" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to express giving in or yielding to something or someone. Some examples of its usage could be: - Despite his initial hesitation, he eventually gave way to his wife's request for a new pet dog. - The government refused to give way to the protesters' demands, leading to further unrest in the city. - Her strength finally gave way and she collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The fence gave way.

The New Yorker

Violence gave way to decadence.

The New York Times - Arts

Calculation gave way to ingestion.

Independent

Finally, the lions gave way.

Independent

Muskets gave way to rifles.

The New York Times

Misgivings gave way to outrage.

The New Yorker

One flimsy tread gave way.

The New York Times

Fear gave way to euphoria.

Independent

The cliff suddenly gave way.

The New York Times

Boredom gave way to tantrums.

The New York Times

"Gravel gave way.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gave way" to describe a change in emotional state, clearly indicate what the initial state was (e.g., "Fear gave way to relief").

Common error

Ensure the tense of surrounding verbs is consistent. Avoid using "give way" when the past tense is required; instead, use "gave way". Ensure that the subject agrees in number (e.g. The support gave way, not The supports gave way).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gave way" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a past action of yielding, collapsing, or being replaced. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and correct phrase. The examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts, such as physical structures collapsing or emotions changing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gave way" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of yielding, collapsing, or being replaced, typically in the past tense. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media. Its versatility allows it to depict both physical events (like a structure collapsing) and abstract changes (like one emotion replacing another). While alternatives like "yielded", "collapsed", and "succumbed" exist, "gave way" provides a balance of generality and descriptive power suitable for various writing contexts. When using "gave way", ensure tense consistency and clear context to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gave in

Implies reluctantly agreeing or ceasing to oppose something.

yielded

Focuses on surrendering or ceasing resistance.

collapsed

Emphasizes a sudden failure of structure or strength.

succumbed

Highlights the inability to resist a negative force or influence.

buckled

Suggests bending or deforming under pressure before breaking.

made way for

Highlights clearing space or allowing something else to happen.

was replaced by

Indicates a transition where something new takes the place of something old.

fell apart

Emphasizes disintegration or complete structural failure.

crumbled

Indicates a slow, decaying type of collapse.

disintegrated

Suggests a gradual breakdown into smaller pieces.

FAQs

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

You can use "gave way" to describe something collapsing, yielding, or being replaced. For example, "The old bridge "gave way" under the weight of the truck", or "His anger "gave way" to sadness".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "gave way"?

Alternatives include "yielded", "collapsed", "succumbed", "gave in", or "was replaced by", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "give way" instead of "gave way"?

"Give way" is the present tense or infinitive form, while ""gave way"" is the past tense. Use "gave way" when describing something that happened in the past.

What's the difference between "gave way" and "made way"?

"Gave way" implies collapse, yielding, or replacement, whereas "made way" means to create space or allow passage.