that gave me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that gave me" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the cause or reason for a feeling or action. Example: "The unexpected compliment that gave me a boost of confidence before my presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

What a lift that gave me".

Independent

Next came the part that gave me pause.

The New York Times

It was that $1,000 that gave me my start.

The New York Times

"Unquestionably, without doubt, that gave me hope," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

But there was one thing that gave me doubt.

The New York Times

"There was a payoff, that gave me a grace period.

The Guardian - Business

"But it was this book that gave me the inspiration".

Forbes

"It was America that gave me the opportunities," she says.

Forbes

(Just writing that gave me chills).

Huffington Post

"AMY You just gave a speech that gave me life!

Los Angeles Times

That gave me heart".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that gave me" to clearly express the direct cause of a feeling, opportunity, or result. For example, "The scholarship that gave me the chance to study abroad transformed my life."

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying too heavily on "that gave me" can sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using more sophisticated causal conjunctions or rephrasing to emphasize the result rather than the cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that gave me" functions as a causal link, indicating that something directly resulted in a specific feeling, opportunity, or consequence. As Ludwig AI points out, it is a common and grammatically correct way to express cause and effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that gave me" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to establish a causal link between an event or circumstance and a subsequent feeling, opportunity, or outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its widespread use, particularly in news and media, underscores its acceptance and versatility. While suitable for various contexts, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider alternative phrasing for stylistic variation. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and can be effectively employed to provide clarity and context in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that afforded me

Replaces "gave" with "afforded", suggesting providing an opportunity or possibility.

that provided me

Substitutes "gave" with "provided", emphasizing the act of supplying something beneficial.

that offered me

Uses "offered" instead of "gave", highlighting the presentation of a chance or option.

that instilled in me

Focuses on the feeling or quality being created, using "instilled" to show a deeper, more lasting effect.

that inspired in me

Highlights the inspirational aspect, using "inspired" to suggest motivation and creativity.

that led me to

Shifts the focus to the consequence of the action, indicating a direction or path taken.

that enabled me to

Emphasizes the enabling aspect, indicating the ability to do something as a result.

that empowered me to

Highlights the empowering effect, suggesting increased confidence and control.

that contributed to my

Indicates a partial contribution to a broader outcome, using "contributed" to show a supporting role.

that resulted in my

Focuses on the end result, indicating a direct consequence of the initial action.

FAQs

How can I use "that gave me" in a sentence?

Use "that gave me" to indicate the direct cause of a specific feeling, opportunity, or result. For example, "The positive feedback "that gave me" the confidence to pursue my dreams."

What are some alternatives to "that gave me"?

Consider using alternatives such as "that afforded me", "that provided me", or "that led me to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to include "that" in the phrase "that gave me"?

While the inclusion of "that" is grammatically correct and often preferred for clarity, it can sometimes be omitted in informal contexts without changing the meaning. For example, "The experience gave me a new perspective" is acceptable, but "The experience that gave me a new perspective" might be more precise.

How does the tone of "that gave me" compare to similar phrases?

"That gave me" is generally neutral in tone. Phrases like "that empowered me" or "that inspired me" convey a stronger, more positive emphasis, while phrases like "that gave me pause" suggest hesitation or concern.