give back

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give back

I need to give back the book I borrowed last week.

Definition
  1. Verb (transitive):
    • To return something to its original owner or place: To restore possession of an item to the person who previously owned it or lent it.
    • To repay or refund money: To return money that was borrowed, paid in error, or owed.
Usage
  • The verb "give back" is used with a direct object (the thing being returned) and often an indirect object (the recipient). The structure is typically "give [something] back to [someone]" or "give back [something]".
  • It is a separable phrasal verb. The object can be placed between "give" and "back" or after "back". If the object is a pronoun (e.g., , ), it must be placed between "give" and "back".
Examples
  • Verb:
    • I must give back the book I borrowed from the library.
    • Could you give my pen back? I need it.
    • The store gave me back my money after I returned the defective product.
    • Please give it back to me. (Correct: pronoun between "give" and "back")
    • Please give back it to me. (Incorrect)
Advanced Usage
  • "To give back to the community": This idiomatic usage means to contribute time, money, or effort to help society or a specific group, often as a form of gratitude or social responsibility.
    • After becoming successful, she wanted to give back to the community that supported her.
Variants and Related Words
  • Return (verb): A more formal synonym for "give back".
    • Please return the tools when you are finished.
  • Refund (verb/noun): Specifically to give back money.
    • The company agreed to refund the purchase price.
  • Repay (verb): To pay back money that was borrowed.
    • He promised to repay the loan within a year.
  • Restore (verb): To bring back or give back something lost or taken, often used in formal or legal contexts.
    • The court ordered the property to be restored to its rightful owner.
Synonyms
  • Return
  • Repay
  • Refund
  • Reimburse
  • Restore
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Pay back: Similar to "give back" but almost exclusively used for repaying money or returning a favor (often negative).
    • I need to pay back the $50 I owe you.
    • He vowed to pay back his enemies for their betrayal.
Related Idioms
  • Give as good as one gets: To respond with equal force or effectiveness in an argument or fight. (Note: This idiom uses "give" but is conceptually different from "give back").
    • In the debate, she gave as good as she got.
give back

I need to give back the book I borrowed last week.

Verb
  1. pay back
    • Please refund me my money

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