give delight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give delight" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the act of providing joy or pleasure to someone. Example: "The surprise party was designed to give delight to the birthday girl."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

These games give delight and hurt not.

The Guardian - Tech

Sounds and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not".

The Guardian

The isle is full of noises, Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.

The New York Times - Books

Sindabezi Island, "full of noises, sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight".

The Guardian

This isle is full of noises that give delight and hurt not.

The Guardian - Tech

The isle is full of noises, Sounds and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

They take delight from giving delight.

The New York Times - Arts

And I found they gave delight.

The Guardian - Books

Drury is more interested in giving delight.

The Guardian

In ours, it burbles and fizzes and gives delight, but fails to pop amid the apocalyptic grind of recent news cycles, with grave tension at all turns.

The New Yorker

Itself beautifully and thoughtfully designed, it leaves one with a heady reassurance that architecture, so essential and ubiquitous, and often so banal, is still at its best a transforming medium, giving meaning as it gives delight.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give delight" when you want to emphasize the act of bestowing joy or pleasure, particularly in contexts where the source of delight is clear and intentional.

Common error

Avoid using "give delight" in casual conversation. The phrase carries a slightly formal or literary tone, making it less suitable for everyday interactions. Opt for simpler alternatives like "make happy" or "bring joy" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give delight" functions as a verb phrase, where "give" is the main verb and "delight" is the direct object. It expresses the action of bestowing joy or pleasure onto something or someone. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give delight" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of providing joy or pleasure. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is considered correct and appears most frequently in news and media sources. While versatile, it maintains a relatively neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts. The phrase is more common in writing and less in casual speech where simpler alternatives like "bring joy" might be preferred. Despite its correctness, it is not as frequently used as other synonyms, classifying its usage as uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring joy

Focuses on the act of imparting happiness.

offer pleasure

Highlights the presentation of something enjoyable.

impart happiness

Stresses the communication of joy.

provide enjoyment

Emphasizes the act of supplying something pleasurable.

afford gratification

Implies a more formal or significant level of satisfaction.

bestow bliss

Suggests a profound and elevated sense of happiness.

create happiness

Focuses on actively generating a state of joy.

generate pleasure

Highlights the active production of enjoyment.

inspire joy

Focuses on the act of stimulating happiness.

evoke delight

Emphasizes the calling forth of a feeling of delight.

FAQs

How can I use "give delight" in a sentence?

You can use "give delight" to describe something that provides joy or pleasure. For example: "The performance was designed to "give delight" to the audience".

What can I say instead of "give delight"?

You can use alternatives like "bring joy", "offer pleasure", or "impart happiness" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "give delight" or "gives delight"?

"Give delight" is correct when used with plural subjects or in the infinitive form. "Gives delight" is correct with singular subjects. For example, "Performances like these give delight". "The goal is to give delight to everyone".

What is the difference between "give delight" and "take delight"?

"Give delight" means to provide joy or pleasure to someone or something. "Take delight" means to find pleasure or joy in something. They are opposite actions; one is about providing, the other about receiving.