Cool MateGiven vs Supply
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Given
Top 1,000 (very common)
Supply
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
| Given | Supply | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈgɪvən//🇺🇸 //ˈɡɪvən// | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈplaɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈplaɪ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To provide something to someone. | to give or provide something that is needed |
| Example | She was given a beautiful necklace for her birthday. | The company is struggling to meet the demand for their product due to a shortage in supply. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | given that, given the opportunity, given up, given time, given circumstances | 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 | withhold, refuse | demand, deprivation |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'gave' which is the past tense., Incorrectly used as a noun instead of a verb., Not using the correct preposition after 'given'. | 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 | Often used to indicate the act of providing or allowing. Can be used in both formal and informal contexts. | 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: Given vs Supply
What's the difference between Given and Supply?
Given: To provide something to someone. Supply: to give or provide something that is needed
Can you show an example of each?
Given: She was given a beautiful necklace for her birthday. Supply: The company is struggling to meet the demand for their product due to a shortage in supply.
Can I use Given and Supply interchangeably?
Not always. Given 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.