Cool MateGive vs Supply
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Give
High-frequency chunkA1verb
Supply
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
| Give | Supply | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɡɪv/","/ɡɪvz/","/ɡeɪv/","/ˈɡɪvn/","/ˈɡɪvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɡɪv/","/ɡɪvz/","/ɡeɪv/","/ˈɡɪvn/","/ˈɡɪvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈplaɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈplaɪ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To hand something to someone or to offer something. | to give or provide something that is needed |
| Example | Please give me your book. | The company is struggling to meet the demand for their product due to a shortage in supply. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | High-frequency chunk | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| Collocations | give a speech, give a gift, give advice, give permission, give a hand | total, available, endless, have, get, lay in, increase, fall, exceed demand, chain, line, network, supply of, supply to, be in short supply, demand and supply, supply and demand, abundant, plentiful, limited, bring, bring in, lay in, hold out, last, be depleted, supply of |
| Antonyms | take, withhold, keep | demand, deprivation |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'give up', which means to stop trying., Using 'give' with an incorrect preposition; it should be 'give it to me', not 'give to me it'., Overusing 'give' instead of synonyms in formal writing. | Confusing with 'supplement' when more than just providing is meant, Using as a noun instead of a verb, e.g., 'to supply' vs 'the supply', Incorrectly conjugating the verb in different tenses |
| Usage notes | Used in many contexts, from formal offers to casual exchanges. Avoid in contexts that require more specific verbs, like 'deliver' or 'bestow'. | Use 'supply' when referring to providing goods or resources. It is neutral and can be used in business, education, and everyday contexts. Avoid using it in very casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Give vs Supply
What's the difference between Give and Supply?
Give: To hand something to someone or to offer something. Supply: to give or provide something that is needed
Which is more advanced: Give and Supply?
Supply is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Give and Supply the same CEFR level?
Give: A1, Supply: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Give and Supply?
Give: verb, Supply: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Give: Please give me your book. Supply: The company is struggling to meet the demand for their product due to a shortage in supply.
Can I use Give and Supply interchangeably?
Not always. Give and Supply are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.