Phrasal verbs "give up" vs "give up on"

Differences between give up and give up on

Give up means to stop doing something or to surrender, while give up on means to abandon hope or belief in someone or something.

Meanings and Definitions: give up vs give up on

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Give up

  • 1Stop doing something that has been a habit.

    I GAVE UP taking sugar in tea and coffee to lose weight.

  • 2Stop being friendly, end relationships.

    She GAVE UP all her school friends when she went to university.

  • 3Stop doing something.

    I have GIVEN UP trying to help them.

  • 4Surrender, stop trying.

    I can't think of the answer; I GIVE UP.

  • 5Sacrifice or dedicate time, etc, to something.

    I GAVE UP all my free time to the project.

  • 6Allow someone to sit in your chair, take your place, etc.

    I GAVE UP my seat to a pregnant woman.

  • 7Allow or give away a run while pitching ( baseball ).

    He has GIVEN UP 14 earned runs in 14 innings.

Give up on

  • 1Lose faith in or stop believing in something or someone.

    I GAVE UP ON them when I heard what they were saying about me behind my back.

  • 2Stop feeling hope.

    I have GIVEN UP ON them; they never do what they promise.

Usage Examples: give up, give up on in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

give up

Example

I decided to give up eating junk food.

Example

She gives up too easily when things get tough.

give up on

Example

I will not give up on my dream of becoming a writer.

Example

She gives up on people too easily.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Give up

To stop doing something or to resign from a job or activity.

Example

After years of smoking, he finally decided to quit and improve his health.

To leave behind or give up on something or someone.

Example

The project was too difficult, so they had to abandon it and start over.

To give up or yield to someone or something.

Example

After a long battle, the army had to surrender and accept defeat.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Give up on

To stop believing in someone or something.

Example

After many disappointments, she started to lose faith in her ability to find true love.

To give up on the possibility of something happening or being successful.

Example

The team had to abandon hope for winning the championship after their star player got injured.

To consider something or someone as a failure or lost cause.

Example

After several unsuccessful attempts, the company decided to write off the product and focus on a new one.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Differences in give up vs give up on: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: give up or give up on?

In daily conversation, people use give up more often than give up on. This is because give up is used for more common situations such as quitting a task or stopping a bad habit. Give up on is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about losing faith in someone or something. So, while both phrases are used, give up is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of give up and give up on

Give up and give up on 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 up and give up on

The tone of give up and give up on can differ based on context. Give up often carries a sense of defeat or resignation, while give up on typically has a more negative and disappointed tone, especially when referring to losing faith in someone or something.

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!