given to us

USAGE SUMMARY

"given to us" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been provided or bestowed upon someone. For example: 1. "The opportunity for a better life was given to us through education." 2. "The responsibility of taking care of our planet has been given to us." 3. "The chance to make a difference was given to us and it's up to us to seize it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Our lives are given to us to make use of.

Huffington Post

Data from CIHI were given to us in a ready-to-use format.

Environmental Health Perspectives

We use cash given to us by the bank to make money for the bank.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was given to us.

The New Yorker

"This is what he's given to us.

The New York Times

(It was given to us to celebrate our daughter's birth).

The New York Times

No discounts were given to us on our final bill.

The New York Times

A thousand gifts were given to us in the womb.

The New Yorker

No harm and no threat were ever given to us.

The New York Times

"The reasons being given to us are strictly commercial".

The New York Times

"We don't get jobs just given to us".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "given to us" to emphasize the passive reception of something, rather than active acquisition. For example, "The opportunity was given to us" is more appropriate when highlighting the provision of the opportunity, not the effort to obtain it.

Common error

Avoid using "given to us" when you want to highlight active achievement. It's better to use phrases like "we achieved", "we earned", or "we created" when you want to emphasize effort and agency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given to us" functions primarily as part of a passive verb phrase, indicating that something has been received or bestowed upon the subject. Ludwig examples show its usage across various contexts, emphasizing the reception rather than the action of giving.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "given to us" is a versatile passive construction used to highlight the receipt of something, be it a gift, responsibility, or opportunity. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and common across various contexts. It appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When writing, it's crucial to use "given to us" to emphasize the reception of something rather than an active achievement. Alternatives like "bestowed upon us" or "granted to us" can add nuance. Remember, the context dictates the best choice, but "given to us" is a solid and dependable option for expressing passive reception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bestowed upon us

Replaces "given" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of bestowing something valuable.

granted to us

Suggests a formal or official authorization or permission.

provided for us

Focuses on the act of making something available or supplying it.

supplied to us

Similar to 'provided', but may imply a more practical or material provision.

conferred on us

Implies a formal bestowal of an honor, right, or benefit.

entrusted to us

Highlights the aspect of responsibility and care associated with what's given.

handed down to us

Implies a legacy or tradition being passed from one generation to another.

bequeathed to us

Suggests something being left in a will or passed on as an inheritance.

accorded to us

Indicates something granted as a right or privilege.

presented to us

Focuses on the act of formally giving or offering something.

FAQs

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

You can use "given to us" to indicate that something has been provided or bestowed. For example, "The responsibility was "entrusted to us" to preserve our cultural heritage".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "given to us"?

Alternatives include phrases like "bestowed upon us", "granted to us", or "provided for us", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is there a difference between "given to us" and "provided to us"?

While similar, "given to us" implies a more general act of bestowing, whereas "provided to us" suggests a deliberate act of supplying something needed or useful.

Which is correct, "given to us" or "given us"?

"Given to us" is grammatically correct in passive constructions. "Given us" is incorrect; the correct active form is "gave us". For example, "The company gave us bonuses" is the active form, while "Bonuses were "given to us" by the company" is the passive form.