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Given vs. Gave: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
Given is the past participle of "give," often used as an adjective. Gave is the past tense of "give."

Key Differences

Given is primarily used as the past participle form of the verb "give." It can be used in various tenses, especially the perfect tenses, to indicate an action that has been completed. Gave, on the other hand, is the simple past tense form of "give" which denotes an action that occurred in the past.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
In the sentence "I have given him my book," the word "given" is used to indicate a past action that has relevance to the present moment. In contrast, in the sentence "I gave him my book yesterday," the word "gave" signifies a definitive action that took place in the past.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Given can also function as an adjective, denoting something that is assumed or a premise. For instance, "Given the circumstances, we did our best." In this context, it indicates an assumption or premise. Gave, on the contrary, remains strictly a verb, representing the action of giving.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Another distinct use of given is in passive voice sentences. For instance, "The award was given to the best performer." Here, the focus is on the recipient of the action, not the doer. In contrast, "She gave the award to the best performer," is an active voice with "gave" representing a past action.
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
To summarize, while both given and gave originate from the verb "give," they have distinct grammatical and functional differences. Given can act as both verb (past participle) and adjective, while gave is strictly the past tense form of the verb.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
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Comparison Chart

Grammatical Role

Past participle of "give"
Simple past tense of "give"
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

Usage in Tenses

Used in perfect tenses (e.g., has given, had given)
Used in simple past (e.g., she gave)
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

Additional Functions

Can be an adjective (e.g., given circumstances)
Strictly a verb
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

Usage in Voice

Common in passive voice (e.g., was given)
Common in active voice
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023

Relating to Assumptions

Can indicate an assumption or premise (e.g., given the situation)
Doesn't have this function
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023
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Given and Gave Definitions

Given

Pre-established or assumed
The given parameters were strict.
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023

Gave

To bestow or confer
He gave her a compliment.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

Given

Specified or stated
The tasks were hard for the given timeframe.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

Gave

Past tense of "give"
She gave him a book.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

Given

Bestowed or awarded
The title was given to the top student.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
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Gave

To contribute or donate
They gave money to charity.
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023

Given

Past participle of give.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Gave

To allow someone to have
She gave him a moment to speak.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023

Given

Specified; fixed
We will meet at a given time and location.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Gave

To yield as a result
The test gave a positive result.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

Given

Granted as a supposition; acknowledged or assumed
Given the condition of the engine, it is a wonder that it even starts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Gave

Past tense of give.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Having a tendency; inclined
My neighbor is given to lavish spending.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Gave

Past participle of give
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Bestowed as a gift; presented.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Something assumed or taken for granted
"It's a given that the writer of short stories will be keeping his day job" (Donald E. Westlake).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Inflection of give
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Considering; taking into account.
Given the current situation, I don't think that's possible.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

A condition that is assumed to be true without further evaluation.
When evaluating this math problem, don't forget to read the givens.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Already arranged. en
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Currently discussed. en
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Particular, specific.
No more than three people can be in that space at a given time.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Assumed as fact or hypothesis.
Given that we will get the resources, what do we want to achieve?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

(with to) Prone, disposed.
He was given to taking a couple of glasses of port at his club.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Granted; assumed; supposed to be known; set forth as a known quantity, relation, or premise.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Stated; fixed; as, in a given time.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

An assumption that is taken for granted
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Specified in advance;
A given number
We will meet at a given time and location
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Acknowledged as a supposition;
Given the engine's condition, it is a wonder that it started
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Having possession delivered or transferred without compensation
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

(usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward;
He is apt to ignore matters he considers unimportant
I am not minded to answer any questions
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2022

Given

Past participle of "give"
I have given him a chance before.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023

Given

Prone or inclined to
She is given to spontaneous decisions.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023

FAQs

What is the primary grammatical role of "Given"?

Given is the past participle form of "give."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

Does "Gave" function as an adjective like "Given"?

No, "Gave" is strictly a verb.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

Is "Gave" used to denote present actions?

No, "Gave" denotes past actions.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023

Can "Given" be used as an adjective?

Yes, "Given" can be used as an adjective to denote something assumed or pre-established.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

Can "Gave" be used in passive voice?

Not typically. "Gave" is more commonly used in active voice.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

Can "Given" indicate an assumption?

Yes, e.g., "Given the circumstances, we decided to leave."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

When do we use "Gave"?

"Gave" is used as the simple past tense of "give."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

Can "Given" be used in present perfect tense?

Yes, as in "She has given her all."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

How is "Given" used to show inclination?

As in "He is given to bouts of anger."
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023

Does "Gave" have a similar function?

No, "Gave" doesn't denote inclination.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023

How is "Given" used in passive voice?

In passive voice, "Given" indicates a completed action, e.g., "The medal was given to him."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

What's a passive sentence with "Given"?

"The award was given to her."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

What's an example of "Gave" in a sentence?

"She gave him her phone number."
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023

How do you use "Gave" in active voice?

"She gave him a gift."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023

Is "Gave" used to denote assumptions or specifications?

No, "Gave" strictly denotes a past action of giving.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023

What's a common adjective use of "Given"?

As in "given circumstances" or "given situation."
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023

How can "Given" indicate a specification?

As in "The given task was hard."
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023

In which tense is "Gave" typically used?

Simple past tense.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023

How do you use "Given" in future perfect tense?

"By tomorrow, I will have given the report."
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023

Can "Gave" be used in future tense?

No, for future you'd use "will give."
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma Saeed
Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.

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