he gave up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he gave up' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to convey a sense of resignation, discouragement, or surrender. For example: After months of trying, he finally gave up on finding a job.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Finally, he gave up.

The New Yorker

He gave up.

The New York Times - Sports

Eventually he gave up.

The New York Times - Sports

So he gave up.

The New York Times

Finally, discouraged, he gave up.

The New Yorker

And then he gave up.

The New Yorker

He gave up one hit.

The New York Times - Sports

Thereafter he gave up performance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"He gave up four runs.

The New York Times - Sports

So he gave up exercise.

The New Yorker

Then he gave up again.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he gave up" when you want to convey a sense of finality or resignation in abandoning an activity or goal. Ensure the context clearly indicates what was being given up.

Common error

Avoid using "he gave up" when you mean to say someone temporarily paused or postponed something. "He gave up" implies a permanent cessation, not a temporary break. Use phrases like "he took a break from" or "he paused" to indicate a temporary stop.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he gave up" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of ceasing effort or abandoning something. Ludwig AI confirms it's a standard construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he gave up" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone has ceased trying to do something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and readily usable. Its high frequency and presence across diverse sources, predominantly in news and media, solidify its place in standard English. When using "he gave up", ensure the context clearly specifies what was abandoned and consider alternatives like "he quit" or "he surrendered" to fine-tune the conveyed meaning. Be mindful to differentiate between temporary pauses and complete abandonment to avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he quit

This is a more direct and concise way of saying someone stopped doing something.

he ceased trying

Focuses on the discontinuation of effort or attempts.

he threw in the towel

Idiomatic, suggesting defeat or inability to continue.

he waved the white flag

Idiomatic, suggesting surrender in a conflict or difficult situation.

he surrendered

Implies a yielding to an opponent or circumstance, suggesting a lack of control.

he stopped fighting

Emphasizes the end of a struggle or conflict.

he abandoned the effort

More formal, emphasizing the deliberate termination of an activity or plan.

he relinquished his pursuit

Formal and emphasizes the giving up of a goal or ambition.

he backed down

Implies retreating from a confrontation or challenge.

he capitulated

Formal and suggests yielding after resistance.

FAQs

What does the phrase "he gave up" mean?

The phrase "he gave up" means that someone stopped trying to do something, often because it was too difficult, frustrating, or impossible. It implies a sense of resignation or defeat.

What can I say instead of "he gave up"?

You can use alternatives like "he quit", "he surrendered", or "he abandoned the effort" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he gave up"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "he gave up". It is a common and widely accepted phrase in English.

How to use "he gave up" in a sentence?

You can use "he gave up" in a sentence like: "After several failed attempts, "he gave up" trying to fix the car."