Differences between give away and give it to
Give away means to give something as a gift or for free, while give it to means to scold or criticize someone.
Meanings and Definitions: give away vs give it to
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Give away
- 1Entrust your daughter to her husband through the marriage ceremony.
He GAVE his daughter AWAY and told the groom to look after her.
- 2Tell a secret, often unintentionally.
She didn't GIVE anything AWAY about the party so it came as a complete surprise to me.
- 3Distribute something for free.
In this issue of the magazine, they are giving away a free DVD.
- 4Give without asking for or expecting payment.
He decided to GIVE his new album AWAY in a magazine.
- 5Give an advantage to your opponent in a sport by making a mistake, playing badly, etc.
They GAVE AWAY two goals in the first half.
- 6Give an unwanted baby to people to bring up.
She had to GIVE her baby AWAY as she couldn't afford to bring it up.
- 7Betray, report to authorities.
The gang GAVE him AWAY to the police.
- 8Give a weight advantage to an opponent in boxing.
He is GIVING AWAY thirty pounds to the challenger.
Give it to
- 1Criticise harshly or punish someone for something.
They really GAVE IT TO me for forgetting to turn up.
Usage Examples: give away, give it to in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
give away
Example
The radio station is giving away concert tickets to the first caller.
Example
She gives away her old clothes to charity.
give it to
Example
If you don't finish your homework, the teacher will give it to you.
Example
She always gives it to him when he forgets to do his chores.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Give away
To give something to a charity or organization without expecting anything in return.
Example
She decided to donate her old clothes to the local shelter.
To give something as a present or token of appreciation.
Example
He gifted his wife a necklace for their anniversary.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Give it to
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “give”
Phrasal Verbs with “away”
Phrasal Verbs with “to”
Differences in give away vs give it to: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: give away or give it to?
In daily conversation, people use give away more often than give it to. This is because give away is used for more positive situations such as donating or gifting something, while give it to is used for negative situations such as scolding or criticizing someone. So, while both phrases are used, give away is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of give away and give it to
Give away and give it to are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of give away and give it to
The tone of give away and give it to can differ based on context. Give away often carries a generous or kind tone when related to giving something as a gift or for free, while give it to typically has an angry or frustrated tone, especially when referring to scolding or criticizing someone.
