give anything for

USAGE SUMMARY

"give anything for" is a perfectly acceptable sentence fragment that can be used in written English.
It is used to express the idea that one is willing to spend whatever amount of time or money necessary to acquire something. For example: "I'd give anything for a vacation right now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"I wouldn't give anything for those gigs.

The New Yorker

I'd give anything for one now.

The Guardian - Music

I would give anything for five days off".

The New Yorker

I would give anything for that kind of experience".

The Guardian - Books

I'd give anything for a jet-lag cure that works.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The wife complained that she'd give anything for just one cigarette.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"I've not been given anything for free.

Independent

"We'd have given anything for results like theirs 10 or 15 years ago".

The New York Times - Sports

He'd have given anything for a home town in the heartland.

The New Yorker

Daphne Guinness says she's never been given anything for free by a single designer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I would have given anything for release from the gratuitous torture porn of Wolf Creek.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase “give anything for” to express a strong and often emotional desire for something. It implies a willingness to make a significant sacrifice to obtain it.

Common error

While effective in expressing strong desire, avoid using "give anything for" in formal writing where a more restrained tone is appropriate. Opt for phrases like "highly value" or "would greatly appreciate" instead.

Linguistic Context

Expressing a strong desire, the phrase "give anything for" functions as a means of conveying intense longing or a willingness to make significant sacrifices to obtain something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is perfectly acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Sport

12%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Books

8%

Science

7%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “give anything for” is a common and grammatically correct way to express a strong desire. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used to convey a willingness to make significant sacrifices for something valued. Predominantly found in news and media, sports, and lifestyle contexts, it effectively highlights intense longing. When writing, remember that while powerful, it's best suited for neutral to informal settings. For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "highly value" or "would greatly appreciate". Common questions address usage, alternatives like "would do anything for", and grammatical correctness, further underscoring its prevalent use in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would do anything for

Emphasizes a willingness to take any action, regardless of difficulty, to achieve something.

would pay any price for

Focuses on the monetary sacrifice someone is willing to make.

would sacrifice everything for

Highlights the complete and utter devotion to obtaining something, even at the cost of personal well-being.

desire more than anything

Indicates the supreme importance of the desired object or outcome.

would sell my soul for

A hyperbolic expression conveying extreme desire, implying a willingness to make an unethical compromise.

would give the world for

Uses hyperbole to indicate a willingness to offer something of immense value.

long for desperately

Emphasizes the urgency and intensity of the longing.

crave above all else

Expresses a deep longing, focusing on the emotional intensity of the desire.

wish for with all my heart

Highlights the sincerity and emotional depth of the desire.

yearn with every fiber of my being

Highlights the physical and emotional intensity of the longing.

FAQs

How can I use "give anything for" in a sentence?

You can use "give anything for" to express a strong desire for something. For example, "I'd "give anything for" a day at the beach right now".

What are some alternatives to "give anything for"?

Alternatives include phrases like "would do anything for", "would sacrifice everything for", or "desire more than anything", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I'd give anything for"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "I'd "give anything for"" is a common and accepted way to express a strong desire.

What's the difference between "give anything for" and "do anything for"?

"Give anything for" implies a willingness to make a significant sacrifice or offer something valuable. "Do anything for" suggests a willingness to take any action, regardless of difficulty or moral implications. While similar, "do anything for" is more general.