it gives away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it gives away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that reveals or discloses information, often unintentionally. Example: "His nervous laughter gives away his true feelings about the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It gives away its software under an open-source licence.

The Economist

It is also a benefit to both the company and its program when it gives away a product similar to the one it sells.

The New York Times

The bill's main flaw is that in its early stages it gives away too many free allowances to coal-fired power plants.

The New York Times

Google in particular runs this risk, said Michael Gartenberg, a technology analyst at Gartner, because it gives away its Android operating system to any device manufacturer that wants to use it, resulting in an uncontrolled array of Android devices running different versions of the software.

The New York Times - Tech

It gives away its used material to Up North Plastics, a company outside Minneapolis that makes garbage bags and plastic sheets.

Forbes

It gives away barely 0.1% of its GDP each year, of which little goes to Africa.

The Economist

The gray uniforms worn by early State volunteers was normally a shade of Cadet gray, which is not suitable for combat wear, as it gives away the position of the individual easily from its bright blue-gray tones, and for this reason it was preserved by some men for dress-parade functions.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Last year, it gave away 1,400.

The New York Times

Last year, for example, it gave away $50 million.

The New York Times

Between 2004 and 2007, it gave away about $70 million.

The New York Times

It gave away $821 million in cash and products in 2008.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it gives away" when you want to emphasize the unintended revelation of information or the act of relinquishing something without expecting a direct return.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "it gives away" can sound informal in certain professional or academic settings. Consider using more formal alternatives like "it reveals" or "it discloses" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it gives away" functions as a verb phrase where "it" is the subject, "gives" is the main verb, and "away" is a particle forming a phrasal verb. This construction typically describes an action of revealing something unintentionally or relinquishing something freely. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it gives away" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies either the unintentional revelation of information or the act of freely relinquishing something. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is more prevalent in news and media contexts. When choosing an alternative, consider "it reveals" or "it discloses" for more formal contexts. Remember to use "it gives away" to emphasize unintended disclosures or selfless acts of giving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it reveals

Focuses on the act of uncovering or making something known.

it discloses

Emphasizes the act of making information public or accessible.

it divulges

Highlights the act of revealing confidential or secret information.

it relinquishes

Focuses on the act of surrendering or giving up something.

it surrenders

Implies a forced or unwilling act of giving up.

it donates

Highlights the act of giving something as a gift or contribution.

it bestows

Suggests conferring a gift or honor.

it sacrifices

Emphasizes the act of giving up something valuable for a greater cause.

it forfeits

Indicates the loss of something due to a rule violation or penalty.

it imparts

Focuses on the act of sharing knowledge or wisdom.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it gives away"?

You can use alternatives like "it reveals", "it discloses", or "it relinquishes" depending on the context.

Is "it gives away" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it gives away" may be perceived as informal in certain formal contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "it reveals" or "it discloses".

How does "it gives away" differ from "it reveals"?

"It gives away" often implies an unintentional revelation, whereas "it reveals" suggests a more deliberate or explicit act of making something known.

In what situations is "it gives away" most suitable?

"It gives away" is particularly suitable when describing how something inadvertently discloses information or when referring to the act of freely relinquishing something without expecting direct compensation.