given refreshments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "given refreshments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of providing food and drinks to guests or participants at an event or gathering. Example: "At the conference, attendees were given refreshments during the breaks to keep them energized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

You were given refreshments.

The New Yorker

They were also given refreshments for their guests before making their way to waiting cars to pick up the seniors they were matched with.

The New York Times

Lined up and stranded in their tracksuits, they caught the eye of a passing minibus from Arsenal and the driver was good enough to pick the players up and drive them to the Gunners' training ground nearby at Colney, where they were allowed to wait inside and even given refreshments.

Independent

They were given refreshments during the period of undertaking the study as compensation.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But the flight was diverted to Rochester, Minn., where passengers were inexplicably kept onboard for more than six hours, given no refreshments and forced to endure the stench from the plane's over-capacity toilet.

Forbes

This is man-made," said a woman giving out refreshments from a Salvation Army church near one of the mosques.

The Washington Post

For example, for flights of 1,500km or less where there is a delay of more than two hours, a passenger should be given meals and refreshments, along with two free telephone calls, e-mails, telexes or faxes.

BBC

As a token of appreciation, all participants were provided a small household item and refreshments (given at the end of the interview to avoid possible effects of coercion).

British Journal of Psychiatry

Mr. Hazare drank a liquid refreshment given to him by a little girl and ended his fast.

The New York Times

The trains of each Corps were halted as they crossed to the north bank of the river, refreshment given the men, and such professional care bestowed by the Medical officers accompanying them as the cases required".

The New York Times

This series Warner has wielded his bat with the cavalier energy of Virender Sehwag at his best, the combination of strokeplay and moustache suggesting less David Boon – another obvious comparison, given their shared refreshment preferences – than Errol Flynn.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the event when choosing "given refreshments" versus alternatives. For formal settings, "served refreshments" or "provided with food and beverages" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "given refreshments" in highly informal situations where simpler terms like "had snacks" or "offered drinks" would be more natural. Overly formal language can sound stilted or unnatural in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given refreshments" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes an action (giving refreshments) that is done to a subject. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "given refreshments" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that food and drinks were provided. Ludwig confirms its correctness and offers several examples from diverse sources. While considered neutral in register, it finds common usage in news and media, scientific publications, and wiki articles. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "provided with refreshments" may be preferable, while casual conversations might benefit from simpler terms like "had snacks". Despite its infrequent occurrence compared to other phrases, "given refreshments" effectively conveys the act of providing hospitality or sustenance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provided with refreshments

Changes the verb from "given" to "provided", emphasizing the act of supplying refreshments.

offered refreshments

Replaces "given" with "offered", highlighting the act of presenting refreshments as an option.

served refreshments

Uses "served" instead of "given", suggesting a more formal or structured provision of refreshments.

supplied with snacks and drinks

Expands "refreshments" to explicitly mention "snacks and drinks", offering a more descriptive alternative.

treated to refreshments

Uses "treated" to imply a sense of enjoyment or special offering.

furnished with refreshments

Employs "furnished" to suggest a provision as part of a larger setup or arrangement.

presented with food and beverages

Offers a more formal alternative, replacing "refreshments" with "food and beverages".

had refreshments available

Shifts the focus to the availability of refreshments rather than the act of giving.

received refreshments

Changes the perspective to the recipient, focusing on what was received.

enjoyed refreshments

Focuses on the act of consuming and appreciating the refreshments.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "given refreshments" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "provided with refreshments", "served refreshments", or "offered food and beverages". These options convey a higher level of formality and are suitable for professional or official settings.

What's a simpler way to say "given refreshments" in casual conversation?

In informal contexts, you can use phrases like "had snacks", "offered drinks", or "provided snacks". These are more relaxed and natural for everyday conversation.

Is "given refreshments" grammatically correct?

Yes, "given refreshments" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of a verb followed by its object, indicating that refreshments were provided to someone.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "given refreshments"?

The phrase "given refreshments" is appropriate in situations where you want to describe the act of providing food and drinks, especially in a context where it's part of an organized event or gathering. It's suitable for news reports, formal announcements, or descriptions of events where hospitality is provided.