until they gave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until they gave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a point in time when an action or event occurred, typically in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "The team worked tirelessly on the project until they gave their final presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"I screamed until they gave me the book".

The Guardian - Books

After substantial hair growth, I began to harass people until they gave me phone numbers.

The New York Times - Style

"We carried out many demonstrations until they gave us what we wanted".

The Guardian

"When I was a baby, I would bang my head on the floor until they gave me what I wanted".

The New Yorker

I didn't totally believe it was real until they gave me the W2-G income tax forms to sign".

The New York Times

Two women were allegedly taken by drunken youths and tortured until they gave up the names of two men.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

I will stay here until they give me an answer.

The Guardian

He simply stares at the clouds until they give in'.

The Guardian - Sport

I tend to find things I love and wear them until they give out.

The New York Times

"We just kind of keep pounding on them until they give up," said L.S.U.

The New York Times - Sports

Cook the morels, stirring, until they give up their liquid, about six minutes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "until they gave" to clearly indicate the endpoint of a continuous action or state, emphasizing the provision or concession that marks the conclusion. Ensure that the context makes it clear who "they" refers to.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly defining who "they" refers to, especially when multiple parties are involved. If the subject is unclear, rephrase to specify the actors involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until they gave" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that specifies the time leading up to a particular action. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in indicating the duration before something was provided or conceded.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "until they gave" is a common and grammatically correct temporal conjunction used to indicate the time leading up to a specific action of providing or surrendering something. Ludwig provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in News & Media and Science contexts, demonstrating its versatility. The phrase is considered neutral in register and functions to set a temporal boundary or condition. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is both correct and usable, suggesting it's a reliable choice for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

until they provided

Replaces "gave" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of supplying something.

until they offered

Suggests a voluntary presentation or offering of something.

until they yielded

Implies a reluctant or forced concession.

until they surrendered

Conveys a sense of defeat or submission in providing something.

until they released

Highlights the act of freeing or making something available.

until they presented

Emphasizes a formal or ceremonial offering.

until they furnished

Indicates the act of supplying what is needed.

until they passed down

Suggests inheritance or tradition in providing something.

until they bequeathed

Implies a formal gifting, often in a will.

until they imparted

Emphasizes the sharing of knowledge or wisdom.

FAQs

How can I use "until they gave" in a sentence?

Use "until they gave" to indicate a duration of time before a specific action or item was provided. For example, "The protesters continued to rally "until they gave" in to their demands".

What can I say instead of "until they gave"?

You can use alternatives like "until they provided", "until they offered", or "until they yielded" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "until they gave" or "until they give"?

"Until they gave" refers to a past event, while "until they give" refers to a future or hypothetical event. For example, "They waited "until they gave" the signal" (past) vs. "They will wait "until they give" the signal" (future).

What's the difference between "until they gave" and "once they gave"?

"Until they gave" emphasizes the duration leading up to the event, whereas "once they gave" emphasizes the event itself as a condition. "They waited "until they gave" their consent" highlights the waiting period, while "Once they gave their consent, the project began" focuses on the project's commencement.