give back

Meaning

This phrasal verb has two common meanings. First, it means to return something you borrowed to its owner. Second, it means to do good things for your community or society, especially after you have become successful.

Examples

• Can you give back my pen when you're finished with it?

  Can you give back my pen when you're finished with it?

• I need to give these books back to the library today.

  I need to give these books back to the library today.

• She wants to give back to her hometown by building a new playground.

  She wants to give back to her hometown by building a new playground.

• He always gives back a portion of his income to charity.

  He always gives back a portion of his income to charity.

• Make sure you give back the keys before you leave.

  Make sure you give back the keys before you leave.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I gave back him his book.

  ✓ I gave him back his book.

  When 'give back' has both an indirect object (him) and a direct object (his book), you cannot place the indirect object directly after 'gave back'. Use 'gave him back his book' or 'gave his book back to him'.

• ✗ Please give back it to me.

  ✓ Please give it back to me.

  If the object of the phrasal verb is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go in the middle of the phrasal verb (between 'give' and 'back').

Related Expressions

Practice

• Could you ___ my jacket tomorrow?

  💡 return something you borrowed

  Show answer

  give back

• Successful people should find ways to ___ to their communities.

  💡 do charitable work

  Show answer

  give back