is giving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is giving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to an action that is currently taking place. For example: "The charity is giving food and clothing to those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is giving them jobs".

The New York Times

Fifa is giving back".

The Guardian - Sport

His knee is giving him grief.

Independent

"The government is giving up the fight".

The New York Times

Not that Capello is giving anything away.

Independent

But Washington is giving him an opportunity".

The New York Times

"But he is giving himself absolute authority".

Independent

Exxon is giving a dinner dance.

The New Yorker

Syria is giving up its chemical weapons.

The New York Times

Clearly, Ferrari is giving Alonso the advantage.

The New York Times - Sports

My style is giving the facts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In metaphorical contexts like "giving hope" or "giving grief", ensure the subject and object maintain a logical relationship to keep the imagery clear.

Common error

Avoid using the continuous form for verbs that describe a permanent state rather than an action. While "is giving" is correct for dynamic actions, do not use it for static possession; for instance, say "it gives off an aura" rather than "it is giving off an aura" if the trait is inherent and unchanging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is giving" serves as the present continuous (or progressive) form of the verb "give". It combines the auxiliary verb "be" with the present participle "giving". According to Ludwig, it is used to denote an action that is currently occurring or a temporary state of affairs. It can also function as a future-oriented expression for planned events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is giving" is a robust and universally accepted English phrase that effectively communicates the ongoing transfer of an object, feeling, or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the data shows it is favored by the world's most prestigious publications. Whether used literally, as in "giving a present", or idiomatically, such as "giving way", its meaning remains clear and impactful. For writers, the key is to ensure the continuous tense aligns with the duration of the action, potentially opting for "is providing" if a more formal tone is required for business or academic documentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is providing

Shifts the focus toward the act of supplying or making something available, often used in professional contexts

is offering

Suggests that the thing being given is presented for acceptance or rejection

is granting

Implies an official or formal transfer of permission or an award

is bestowing

Highly formal and literary, usually reserved for honors, gifts, or qualities

is yielding

Used specifically when giving relates to producing a result or giving way under pressure

presents

Uses the simple present tense to describe a more formal or ritualistic delivery

is donating

Specifies that the act of giving is charitable or altruistic in nature

is affording

Used when the act of giving provides a specific opportunity or luxury

is conferring

Formal term specifically used for titles, degrees, or benefits

is handing over

Focuses more on the physical movement or the transfer of control

FAQs

How to use "is giving" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an ongoing transfer or event, such as "The company "is giving" all employees a bonus this month" or "The local shelter "is giving" away free meals".

What can I say instead of "is giving"?

Depending on your context, you could use more specific alternatives like "is providing", "is offering" or "is presenting".

What's the difference between "is giving" and "gives"?

Use "is giving" for actions happening right now or for a limited time. Use "gives" for general truths, habits, or facts that are always true.

Which is more formal, "is giving" or "is providing"?

While both are correct, "is providing" is generally considered more professional or academic, whereas "is giving" is neutral and versatile.