giving up

USAGE SUMMARY

"giving up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb phrase that can be used to talk about giving in to difficulties, ceasing to continue a task, or surrendering a situation. Example: "Despite the difficulty of the situation, she refused to give up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Humbletonian starts giving up.

The New Yorker

Amazon isn't giving up.

The New York Times

People are giving up".

The New Yorker

But giving up women?

The New Yorker

Am I giving up?

Independent

He was giving up".

Independent

It's never giving up.

The New York Times

"Not giving up.

The New Yorker

But he's not giving up".

The New York Times - Sports

Still, he's not giving up.

The New York Times

Lord Carnarvon considered giving up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being given up, whether it is an effort, a possession, or a belief. Clarity enhances the impact of the message.

Common error

Avoid using "giving up" when a more specific term like "surrendering" or "relenting" would better convey the intended meaning. Select the word that accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "giving up" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a gerund phrase when used as a noun (e.g., "Giving up was not an option."). Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "giving up" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase that conveys the act of ceasing effort or surrendering. Ludwig AI validates its usability in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts and has a neutral register. While "giving up" is widely understood, considering context-specific synonyms like "quitting" or "surrendering" can enhance clarity. Remember to clearly define what is being relinquished for optimal impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

throwing in the towel

An idiomatic expression for admitting defeat.

quitting

Focuses more on abruptly stopping an activity or endeavor.

surrendering

Implies yielding to an opponent or force, often in a conflict.

capitulating

Suggests complete and unconditional surrender.

relenting

Suggests a yielding after resistance or opposition.

backing down

Implies retreating from a position or claim.

abandoning

Indicates a complete desertion or forsaking of something.

ceasing

A more formal term for stopping or discontinuing.

forfeiting

Implies losing something as a consequence of one's actions.

bowing out

An informal way of saying to withdraw from something.

FAQs

What does "giving up" mean?

"Giving up" signifies ceasing effort, surrendering, or relinquishing something, whether it's a task, a belief, or an object. You can replace it with other alternatives like "quitting" or "surrendering" depending on the context.

How can I use "giving up" in a sentence?

You can use "giving up" to describe the act of stopping an effort or surrendering, for example: "Despite the challenges, she avoided "giving up" on her dreams."

When is it appropriate to use "giving up"?

It is appropriate when you want to express the act of ceasing to try or surrendering a position or item. However, consider alternatives like "abandoning" or "relenting" if they convey a more precise meaning.

What's the difference between "giving up" and "quitting"?

While both imply stopping something, "giving up" often suggests a gradual cessation of effort due to difficulty, whereas "quitting" often suggests an abrupt and decisive end to an activity or endeavor.