What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spare
Example
Do you have a spare pen I can borrow? [spare: adjective]
Example
I like to spare some time for reading every day. [spare: verb]
Example
The police decided to spare the suspect from prosecution due to lack of evidence. [spare: verb]
give
Example
Can you give me a hand with this heavy box? [give: verb]
Example
She always gives her friends good advice. [give: verb]
Example
He decided to give some money to charity. [give: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Give is more commonly used than spare in everyday language. Give is a versatile verb that can be used in various contexts, while spare is less common and may be considered more formal.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between spare and give?
While give can be used in both formal and informal contexts, spare is less common and may be considered more formal due to its limited usage.