give something that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give something that" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a request or condition but lacks clarity and completeness. Example: "Can you give something that will help us understand the topic better?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I believe it is preferable to miss something that happened than give something that hasn't.

Independent

"All of those had to be written off straight away; you can't give something that might be misinterpreted".

The Guardian - Arts

So when he wanted to do something after 9/11, he thought: To heal a sorrowing heart, give something that is dear to your own.

The New York Times - Books

AS end-of-the year giving gets under way, some charities like the American Red Cross are skipping disaster pictures and switching to gentler imagery to urge people to forgo extraneous holiday gifts and, instead, give "something that means something".

The New York Times

On a recent trip to a nearly new sale Hilary Osborne found a perfect present for her nephew, but can't bring herself to give something that isn't brand new.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"All of those had to be written off straight away; you can't give something that might be misinterpreted". Eventually, he remembered his painting of the letters TWENTYFIRSTCENTURYCITY, laid out on black, in seven rows.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

If they're given something that makes each other more attractive, why not?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But media attention has mostly ignored that fact that they've also given something that may be even more personal.

MIT Technology Review

What's better than giving something that will not only make your girl happy, but also others.

HuffPost

He is instead given something that turns him into an insatiable "sex pig" bottom, a superhero of submission and suffering.

Huffington Post

Giving something that appeals to them.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider replacing "give something that" with more precise verbs like "provide", "offer", or "supply", depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "give something that" in formal contexts such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for stronger verbs or more formal constructions to maintain a professional tone. For example, instead of "give something that helps", use "provide assistance that is helpful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give something that" functions as a verbal phrase introducing a relative clause. The verb "give" indicates an act of bestowing or providing, while "something that" introduces a clause describing the characteristics or purpose of what is being given. Ludwig's analysis indicates that while commonly used, the phrase can lack precision.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "give something that" serves to express the act of providing something with specified characteristics or purpose. Ludwig indicates that the phrase has grammatical issues and that there are better alternatives. While commonly used, it may lack precision in formal contexts. The best alternatives are phrases like "provide something that" or "offer something that".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide something that

Replaces "give" with "provide", offering a more formal alternative with essentially the same meaning.

offer something that

Substitutes "give" with "offer", suggesting a more voluntary or tentative provision.

supply something that

Emphasizes the act of furnishing or making something available, suitable for contexts focusing on resources or needs.

present something that

Implies a formal or deliberate act of giving, often in a ceremonious context.

award something that

Suggests a formal conferral of something as a prize or recognition.

bestow something that

Indicates a formal or gracious giving, often of a privilege or honor.

grant something that

Suggests formally allowing someone to have something, typically a right or opportunity.

donate something that

Implies giving something, often money or goods, for a charitable cause.

contribute something that

Suggests giving something as part of a larger effort or collection.

impart something that

Implies transmitting knowledge, wisdom, or a quality.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "give something that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "provide something that", "offer something that", or "supply something that" to express the action of giving with more precision.

Is "give something that" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "give something that" can be considered grammatically awkward. It's often better to rephrase for clarity and precision using alternatives that specify the type of giving involved.

How can I use "give something that" in a sentence?

You can use "give something that" when you want to express providing something with a particular quality or purpose. For example: "I want to give her something that she'll treasure."

What's the difference between "give something that" and "provide something that"?

"Give" is a more general term, while "provide something that" suggests a more formal and deliberate action of supplying something needed or useful.