give in to

USAGE SUMMARY

"give in to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It's usually used to mean "to accept something reluctantly," "to surrender," or "to yield to a pressure or demand." For example, "She eventually gave in to her parents' demands and went to college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't give in to cellumania.

The New York Times

To give in to temptations.

The Guardian - Music

Don't give in to threats.

The Guardian

Will Ron give in to his yearnings?

The New York Times - Books

Why give in to the beverage companies?

The New York Times

Don't give in to nuclear power.

The Guardian

Don't give in to those demands.

Science Magazine

Don't give in to hate.

Huffington Post

Don't give in to begging.

WikiHow

Never give in to teasing.

WikiHow

Don't give in to impulse buys.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give in to", consider the nuance you want to convey. "Yield to" suggests a willing surrender, while "succumb to" implies being overcome against your will. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

Common error

Avoid using "give in to" when you intend to convey strength or resilience. The phrase implies a degree of yielding or defeat, which might not be appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize perseverance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give in to" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of ceasing resistance and yielding to an influence, pressure, or desire. Ludwig showcases diverse examples where individuals "give in to" temptations, emotions, or external forces.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give in to" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express yielding or surrendering to something, whether it's a temptation, emotion, or external pressure. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. While often carrying a negative connotation, it can also describe accepting a situation or emotion. The phrase appears frequently in news media and general reference sites, indicating its broad applicability. When using "give in to", be mindful of the specific nuance you want to convey, as alternatives like "yield to" or "succumb to" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yield to

Focuses on surrendering or submitting to something, often implying a lack of resistance.

succumb to

Emphasizes being overcome by something, often suggesting a negative influence or pressure.

surrender to

Highlights the act of giving up or ceasing resistance against something.

submit to

Focuses on accepting something, often with a sense of obligation or inevitability.

bow to

Implies a formal or respectful submission to authority or influence.

cave in to

Implies reluctantly agreeing or yielding after initial resistance.

capitulate to

Suggests a formal agreement to surrender, often in a negotiation or conflict.

acquiesce to

Indicates a passive acceptance of something without protest.

knuckle under to

Suggests begrudgingly yielding to pressure or authority.

defer to

Indicates yielding to someone else's judgment or expertise.

FAQs

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

You can use "give in to" to describe yielding to a temptation, pressure, or demand. For example, "She tried to resist the chocolate cake, but she eventually "gave in to" her craving."

What are some alternatives to "give in to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "yield to", "succumb to", or "surrender to". Each alternative carries a slightly different connotation.

Is it always negative to "give in to" something?

Not necessarily. While "give in to" often implies yielding to something negative, it can also describe accepting a situation or emotion. For example, "I "gave in to" the feeling of peace and relaxation."

What's the difference between "give in to" and "give way to"?

"Give in to" implies yielding or surrendering, while "give way to" suggests being replaced or superseded. For example, "The old traditions "gave way to" modern customs."