give up on

USAGE SUMMARY

"give up on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation in which you or someone else has felt discouraged and has decided to stop trying or working towards something. Example sentence: After months of searching for a job, I decided to give up on my quest and look into other options.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Never give up on anyone".

Independent

Don't give up on life.

The New York Times

So give up on the honor system.

The New Yorker

So you give up on them.

The New Yorker

Then you give up on that.

The New York Times - Arts

I about give up on you.

The New Yorker

Did you ever give up on it?

The New York Times

Don't give up on us yet.

The New York Times

I won't give up on you".

The New Yorker

He didn't give up on me".

The New York Times

And we give up on knowing?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give up on", ensure that the object of the preposition 'on' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Don't give up on it", specify what 'it' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "give in" when you mean "give up on". "Give in" means to surrender or yield, whereas "give up on" means to lose hope or stop supporting something. For example, "I won't give in" means "I won't surrender", while "I won't "give up on" you" means "I will continue to support you".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "give up on" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating the act of ceasing to believe in the possibility of success or improvement regarding a person, object, or situation. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give up on" is a commonly used phrasal verb that expresses the act of losing hope or ceasing to believe in something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It appears most frequently in news and media, and wiki sources. To enhance clarity, ensure the object of 'on' is clearly defined. Related phrases include "abandon hope for", "lose faith in" and "write off". Be careful not to confuse it with "give in", which means to surrender. Therefore, understanding its proper usage will contribute to more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abandon hope for

Emphasizes the loss of hope as the reason for ceasing effort.

lose faith in

Highlights the diminishing trust or belief in something or someone.

cease to believe in

Focuses on the termination of belief or trust.

write off

Implies considering something or someone as a failure or not worth further attention.

disillusioned with

Indicates a loss of positive illusions or expectations.

stop supporting

Highlights the withdrawal of backing or assistance.

turn your back on

Suggests a deliberate act of abandonment or rejection.

wash your hands of

Implies a complete disavowal of responsibility or involvement.

forsake

A more formal or archaic term for abandoning or renouncing.

despair of

Emphasizes the feeling of hopelessness regarding a specific outcome.

FAQs

How to use "give up on" in a sentence?

Use "give up on" when you want to express that someone has stopped believing in something or someone, or stopped trying to achieve something. For example: "Don't "give up on" your dreams" or "I'm starting to "give up on" this project".

What can I say instead of "give up on"?

You can use alternatives like "abandon hope for", "lose faith in", or "write off" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "gave up on" instead of "give up on"?

Yes, "gave up on" is the past tense of "give up on" and is grammatically correct. For example, "He "gave up on" his dream of becoming a musician".

What's the difference between "give up" and "give up on"?

"Give up" means to stop doing something, while "give up on" means to lose hope or belief in something or someone. For example, "I "give up" smoking" means I stop smoking, but "I "give up on" him" means I no longer believe in him.