given to drink

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "given to drink" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is provided with a drink or is allowed to drink something. Example: "The animals were given to drink fresh water after their long journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Ivory, gray, a brown that was lighter than the tea he'd been given to drink.

The New Yorker

She was a thrill-seeking depressive fortunately not given to drink or drugs but excited, and made reckless, by prospects of rare and strong sensation.

The New Yorker

The stoic heroes of Hemingway, given to drink, fights, boats, and monosyllables, became influential only when they were transferred to the screen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The Outsider" revolves around a feckless young black man given to drink; its highly recondite exploration of the relationship between social and personal good makes it an ancestor of Mosley's book.

The New Yorker

It would have been a healthy antidote to the Kool Aid they were given to drink while in DC.

HuffPost

Skírnir details that the thurs's name who will own her below the gates of Nágrind is Hrímgrímnir and that there, at the roots of the world, the finest thing Gerðr will be given to drink is the urine of goats.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

What emerged is more than the one-dimensional picture usually given to the drink.

Forbes

After baseline spirometry, subjects were given alcohol to drink, the quantity based upon body weight.

Respiratory Medicine

But Deborah insisted on including me, setting me to work peeling apples with Matty, and out of my parents' sight I was given beer to drink.

The New Yorker

But, she added quickly, if I took an Eastern flight to Mexico, I would be given wine to drink.

Forbes

Conditions in many venues are dangerous and unhealthy — sometimes the workers aren't even given water to drink.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "given to drink" to describe a character, consider the connotations of the phrase; it can imply a weakness or a habitual behavior.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "given to drink" can sound somewhat archaic or literary. In modern, formal writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "provided with drink" unless you're aiming for a specific stylistic effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given to drink" functions as a passive construction, where someone or something receives a drink. It can also act as an adjectival phrase describing a person's tendency or habit, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "given to drink" is a grammatically correct expression that can be used in two primary ways: to describe the act of providing someone with a beverage or to characterize an individual's inclination towards drinking. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and desired tone when using this phrase. Simpler alternatives might be more appropriate in modern, formal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, suggesting a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provided with a beverage

Focuses on the act of supplying a drink, emphasizing the provision.

supplied with a drink

Highlights the act of furnishing or equipping with a drink.

offered a drink

Emphasizes the act of extending a drink as a gesture.

allowed to imbibe

Focuses on the permission or opportunity to drink, adding a formal tone.

permitted to drink

Stresses formal allowance or authorization to drink.

had a drink bestowed upon

This is a more figurative phrase, suggesting a gracious act of providing a drink.

inclined to drink

Shifts the focus to a person's tendency or predisposition towards drinking, rather than the act of being given a drink.

prone to drinking

Similar to "inclined to drink", but suggests a higher likelihood or vulnerability to drinking.

tended to drink

Implies a habitual or regular pattern of drinking.

disposed to drink

Suggests a natural or inherent inclination towards drinking.

FAQs

How can I use "given to drink" in a sentence?

You can use "given to drink" to describe someone who is provided with a drink, as in "The refugees were "given water to drink"." It can also describe someone who is inclined to drink, as in "He was "given to excessive drinking"".

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

"Given to drink" can refer to the act of providing someone with a beverage or describe someone with a tendency to drink, while "prone to drink" specifically emphasizes a susceptibility or inclination towards drinking. "Given to drink", therefore, has two possible uses, whereas "prone to drink" only has one.

What are some alternatives to "given to drink" when describing someone inclined to drink?

Alternatives include "inclined to drink", "tended to drink", or "disposed to drink", depending on the nuance you want to convey. Each suggests a different level of habitual behavior.

Is "given to drink" formal or informal?

"Given to drink" leans towards a slightly more formal or literary register. In casual conversation, phrases like "offered a drink" or "allowed to drink" might be more common.