given to

USAGE SUMMARY

"given to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the idea that someone has been given something from someone else. For example: "The award was given to the most outstanding student in the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lithuania was given to Germany.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was given to us.

The New Yorker

Sotomayor is not given to niceties.

The New Yorker

Saban is not given to modest ambitions.

The New Yorker

Fraenkel was not given to introspection.

The New Yorker

Wong was given to romantic fetishes.

The New Yorker

1 - Yellow card given to him.

Independent

But they were not given to conversation.

The New Yorker

Brian is given to excited exhortations.

The New York Times - Arts

Jamison was given to sweeter talk.

The New Yorker

It has been given to individuals".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's tendencies, use "given to" to imply a habitual or characteristic behavior. For instance, "He is given to exaggeration" suggests he often exaggerates.

Common error

Avoid using "given to" when a simple passive construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The book was given to her by John", just say "John gave the book to her."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given to" functions primarily as an adjective phrase + preposition, indicating a tendency, habit, or assignment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable to express that something was given from someone to someone else. This can denote both a habitual behavior or the act of being assigned something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

20%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "given to" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a tendency, habit, or assignment. As Ludwig AI accurately points out, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The phrase is commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias and scientific literature, reflecting its neutral register. To avoid misuse, ensure it describes a recurring behavior or a proper instance of allocation, not a one-time event best described with a simpler passive construction. The examples in Ludwig showcase how "given to" functions across different contexts, offering practical guidance for effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the habit of

Directly states that something is a routine or customary behavior, similar in meaning but more explicit.

prone to

Highlights a susceptibility or vulnerability to something, emphasizing the likelihood of occurrence.

tending to

Highlights the direction an action or behavior is moving in, emphasizing a current trend.

disposed to

Suggests a readiness or willingness to do something, differing slightly in connotation from a habitual action.

predisposed to

Similar to "inclined towards" but suggests a stronger inherent tendency or predisposition.

inclined towards

Indicates a predisposition or leaning in a certain direction; a subtle shift from outright habit to a tendency.

liable to

Implies a risk or potential for something to happen, focusing on the possibility rather than a current habit.

subject to

Indicates that something is conditional or dependent on something else, introducing a level of external influence.

handed over to

Emphasizes the act of transferring responsibility or ownership to someone, shifting the focus from inclination to assignment.

assigned to

Specifically denotes that something has been allocated or designated to someone or something, focusing on formal allocation.

FAQs

How is "given to" used to show a tendency?

"Given to" indicates a habitual or characteristic behavior. For example, "She is "given to" daydreaming" means she often daydreams.

What's the difference between "prone to" and "given to"?

"Prone to" implies a susceptibility or vulnerability, while "given to" suggests a habitual behavior. You are "prone to" catching colds, but "given to" telling jokes.

Can I use "given to" to describe a one-time event?

No, "given to" is typically used for recurring behaviors or tendencies, not for single occurrences. Use "handed over to" or "assigned to" for one-time events.

What are some alternatives to "given to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "inclined towards", "in the habit of", or "tending to".