Given vs. Give In – Which is Correct?

While both given and give in are grammatically correct, they possess entirely different meanings and grammatical functions. Given is primarily the past participle of the verb “to give,” often used as an adjective or in perfect tenses. Give in is a phrasal verb meaning to surrender, yield, or concede.

Given or Give In – Which is Correct?

Both “given” and “give in” are correct in American English, but they are not interchangeable. The confusion arises from their similar-sounding components, but their grammatical roles and definitions are distinct. “Given” describes something that has been provided, specified, or is a known fact, acting as a past participle or an adjective. “Give in,” on the other hand, is a phrasal verb that denotes the act of yielding, surrendering, or conceding to pressure or demands.

To differentiate, consider the “Swap Test”: If you can replace the word with “provided” or “specified,” you likely need “given.” If you can replace it with “surrender” or “yield,” then “give in” is the correct choice. They cannot be swapped for one another without altering the meaning of the sentence entirely.

Word/Phrase	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Given	Past Participle, Adjective, Preposition	Provided, specified, bestowed; considering a certain fact.	The instructions given were clear. Given the circumstances, we should proceed cautiously.
Give in	Phrasal Verb	To surrender, yield, concede, or submit to pressure.	She refused to give in to their demands.

How to Use Given

“Given” is an incredibly versatile word, serving multiple grammatical functions. Most commonly, it acts as the past participle of the verb “to give.” In this role, it can be part of perfect tenses (e.g., “has given,” “had given”) or function as an adjective meaning “provided” or “bestowed.” It can also act as a preposition or conjunction, introducing a condition or a known fact.

Example 1: The award was given to the most deserving student. (Past participle in passive voice)

Example 2: Given the traffic, we should leave early. (Preposition meaning “considering”)

Example 3: He took the opportunity for given, never realizing its true value. (Adjective meaning “taken for granted”)

What are the different forms of Given?

“Given” is the past participle form of the irregular verb “to give.” Its primary forms are:

• Base form: give
• Present tense (3rd person singular): gives
• Present participle: giving
• Simple past: gave
• Past participle: given

When used as an adjective or preposition, “given” does not change form.

Etymology of the word Given

The word “given” traces its roots back to Old English. It comes from the Old English verb giefan, meaning “to give, bestow, grant; pay, render; deliver, hand over; dedicate.” The past participle form has remained relatively consistent over centuries, evolving from forms like gyfen or geofen to the modern “given.” Its core meaning of transferring possession or information has largely endured.

How to Use Give In

“Give in” is an intransitive phrasal verb, meaning it typically does not take a direct object when used in the sense of surrendering or yielding. It implies a cessation of resistance, an acceptance of defeat, or a concession to another’s will or argument. It can also, less commonly, mean to hand over or deliver something, though “hand in” is more common for that specific nuance.

Example 1: Despite their strong objections, the committee had to give in to the public’s demands. (Yield/concede)

Example 2: After hours of debate, he finally gave in and agreed to the terms. (Surrender/submit)

Example 3: The old chair might give in if you put too much weight on it. (Collapse/break – a less common but valid usage)

What are the different forms of Give In?

As a phrasal verb, “give in” changes its first component (“give”) according to tense, while “in” remains constant.

• Base form: give in
• Present tense (3rd person singular): gives in
• Present participle: giving in
• Simple past: gave in
• Past participle: given in

Etymology of the word Give In

The phrasal verb “give in” combines the verb “give” with the preposition “in.” “Give” originates from the Old English giefan, as discussed previously. The preposition “in” also comes from Old English, in, meaning “in, into, on, upon.” The combination of a verb and a preposition to form a new idiomatic meaning (a phrasal verb) is a common development in English. The sense of “to yield, concede” for “give in” emerged around the 17th century, evolving from the more literal sense of “to fall in” or “to collapse inwards.”

Related Concepts

Understanding the distinction between “given” and “give in” is clarified by grasping the concepts of verb forms, adjectives, and phrasal verbs. “Given” showcases how a single verb can have various forms (like a past participle) that can then function as different parts of speech (like an adjective or part of a compound tense). “Give in” exemplifies a phrasal verb, which is a combination of a verb and a preposition or adverb that creates a new meaning distinct from the individual words. Phrasal verbs often have idiomatic meanings that cannot be deduced from their components alone, making them a common source of confusion for English learners.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” – Oscar Wilde (often misquoted as “The truth is rarely pure and never simple, and given that, we should lie.”)
• “I never gave in to despair. I always felt that there was a way out.” – Nelson Mandela
• “We are given one life, and the decision is ours whether to make it a burden or a blessing.” – Unknown
• “The government refused to give in to the terrorists’ demands, standing firm on its policy.” – News Report
• “She had given her word, and she intended to keep it, no matter the cost.” – Fictional Novel

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The teacher was surprised by the amount of effort the students had _________ to the project.
2. After a long negotiation, the management finally _________ to the workers’ requests.
3. _________ the current economic climate, starting a new business is a risky venture.
4. He swore he would never _________ to injustice, no matter the personal cost.
5. The data _________ in the report clearly supported the hypothesis.

Answer Key

1. given
2. gave in
3. Given
4. give in
5. given

Given Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Provided	Supplied or made available.
Specified	Clearly stated or identified.
Bestowed	Conferred or presented (an honor, right, or gift).
Granted	Agreed to give or allow (something requested).
Considering	Taking into account (when used as a preposition).

Give In Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Surrender	To cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority.
Yield	To give way to arguments, demands, or pressure.
Concede	To admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it.
Submit	To accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority of another person.
Capitulate	To cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; surrender.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “given” ever be a verb in the present tense?
No, “given” is exclusively the past participle of “to give.” The present tense forms are “give” (base) and “gives” (third person singular).

Question 2: Is “give in” always about surrendering?
While its primary meaning is to surrender or yield, “give in” can also imply a collapse or breaking under pressure, as in “The old bridge might give in under the heavy load.” However, the “surrender” meaning is far more common in everyday usage.

Question 3: What’s the difference between “give in” and “give up”?
“Give in” typically implies yielding to an external force, demand, or argument, often against one’s will, but still maintaining some agency. “Give up” means to abandon an attempt, effort, or hope, suggesting a personal decision to quit or stop trying. For example, you “give in” to a bully’s demands, but you “give up” on a difficult puzzle.

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between “given” and “give in” is crucial for clear and precise communication. Remember that “given” relates to something provided, specified, or considered, serving as a past participle or adjective, while “give in” is a phrasal verb signifying surrender or concession. Confusing these two can lead to significant misunderstandings in your writing. A Pro Tip for professional communication: always double-check phrasal verbs, as their meanings are often idiomatic and can drastically alter the intended message if misused.