given

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "given" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is accepted as a fact or already known. For example, "Given the current economic situation, it is uncertain when travel restrictions will be lifted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"For customers intending to start or finish their journey at King's Cross, consideration should be given to deferring travel plans to either Sunday or Monday.

The Guardian - Business

Two were given a gel containing PRO 2000 (in different concentrations for each group), along with advice about how to use it, a regular supply of condoms and counselling on safe sexual practice and sexual health.

The Economist

"In more congested areas or particularly busy times of the day, then vehicles on key roads might be given priority in order to keep the traffic flowing".

The Guardian - Tech

There was of course no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment.

The Guardian - Tech

Sevilla scored three and, for the first time in history, two penalties were given against Madrid at home, but still the visitors lost by four.

The Guardian - Sport

And, given that very unique responsibility that he has, it's simply impossible for him to continue in that role when such very major question marks are being raised about his financial affairs".

The Guardian

A Labour source said that, given teenagers have a "tremendous vested interest in whether or not we stay in the EU or leave", there could be a strong appetite for amending the EU referendum bill in the Lords, even if Labour and the SNP fail to recruit the relatively small number of Tory rebels they would need to defeat the government in the Commons.

The Guardian

Given the huge waste and poor productivity in the public services, there is no a priori reason why these cuts cannot be covered by public spending savings, as Osborne argued.

The Guardian

I said, 'Look, I'll have a look at it.' " Brown said he may have given instructions for the minute to be changed and conceded he made alterations himself.

The Guardian

Political funds are already subject to approval being given in regular ballots by unions.

The Guardian

"We have seen detainees' mental and physical health deteriorate in immigration detention and we fear for this man's wellbeing given his existing reported vulnerabilities".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "given" as a preposition, ensure clarity by clearly stating what is being considered or taken into account. For instance, "Given the limited time, we must prioritize tasks efficiently."

Common error

Avoid using "given" interchangeably with "because" in all contexts. "Given" implies consideration or acceptance of a fact, while "because" explains causation. For example, say "The game was canceled because of the rain" not "given the rain".

Linguistic Context

The word "given" functions as a preposition, past participle, or adjective. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to express consideration, something that has been bestowed, or a specified instance. For instance, "Given the situation..." (preposition), "The book was given..." (past participle), "at any given moment" (adjective).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "given" is a versatile term that functions as a preposition, past participle, and adjective, as verified by Ludwig AI. Its primary role is to establish context, set conditions, or acknowledge existing circumstances. It is frequently encountered in news, formal business, and scientific writing, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using "given", ensure clarity and avoid interchanging it with "because" when expressing causation. For alternative expressions, consider using "considering that" or "in light of" for similar effect. Its high frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist underscore its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering that

Expresses a similar sense of taking something into account, but with a slightly more formal tone.

in light of

Emphasizes the information or circumstances that lead to a particular conclusion or action.

taking into account

Highlights the act of careful consideration of various factors.

assuming that

Indicates a hypothetical condition upon which a statement or action is based.

in view of

Similar to "in light of", but can also imply anticipation or foresight.

provided that

Introduces a condition that must be met for something else to happen.

supposing that

Presents a hypothetical situation for consideration.

considering

A shorter and more direct way of expressing that something is taken into account.

bearing in mind

Emphasizes the importance of not forgetting or overlooking something.

granting that

Acknowledges a point for the sake of argument, even if it's not fully accepted.

FAQs

How can I use "given" in a sentence?

You can use "given" as a preposition meaning "considering" (e.g., "Given the circumstances, we must proceed cautiously"), as a past participle of "give" (e.g., "The award was given to her"), or as an adjective (e.g., "at any given time").

What can I say instead of "given" in certain contexts?

Depending on the intended meaning, alternatives to "given" include "considering that", "in light of", "taking into account", or "assuming that".

Is it correct to start a sentence with "given that"?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "given that" to introduce a condition or assumption. For example, "Given that we have limited resources, we must prioritize our objectives."

What's the difference between "given" and "provided"?

"Given" generally means "considering" or "taking into account", while "provided" introduces a condition that must be met. For example, "Given the weather, we'll stay inside", but "We'll go hiking, provided that the weather improves".