Give vs. Grant — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 22, 2024
Give implies a voluntary transfer without compensation, while grant often involves a formal agreement or fulfillment of conditions.
Difference Between Give and Grant
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Give is a broad term that refers to the act of voluntarily transferring something to someone without expecting compensation. This action can be motivated by generosity, love, affection, or the desire to help. Giving can involve physical items, emotional support, or even intangible gifts like advice or rights. On the other hand, grant typically refers to giving something, often of a formal or legal nature, based on certain qualifications or conditions. Grants are commonly associated with financial aid, permissions, or rights given by organizations, governments, or individuals to others who meet specific criteria.
While giving is a general act that encompasses a wide range of transactions, from personal gifts between friends and family to charitable donations, granting is more structured and often involves a formal process. For example, organizations grant funds to projects or individuals that align with their goals, and governments grant licenses to those who fulfill the required conditions. This distinction highlights the more conditional nature of grants compared to the often unconditional nature of giving.
In the context of relationships, giving is a fundamental component, fostering connections and goodwill through acts of kindness and generosity. In contrast, granting can also strengthen relationships but does so within a framework of achievement, merit, or legal agreement. For instance, a grant from an institution can create a bond based on mutual interests and goals, while personal giving nurtures a relationship on an emotional level.
The motivations behind giving and granting can also differ. Giving is driven by a desire to benefit the recipient, with or without a personal relationship. Meanwhile, the act of granting is usually motivated by the recipient's fulfillment of specific criteria or objectives, such as educational achievements for scholarship grants or project proposals for research funding.
Both giving and granting play vital roles in society, but they operate within different paradigms. Giving is more about personal or immediate responses to needs and desires, fostering social bonds and supporting individuals directly. Granting, while also supportive, functions within a structured framework aiming to achieve broader or more specific goals, often with a focus on long-term impacts.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Voluntarily transferring something without expectation of compensation.
Giving based on qualifications or conditions.
Nature
Unconditional and broad.
Conditional and often formal.
Common Associations
Personal relationships, charity.
Financial aid, permissions, legal rights.
Motivation
Generosity, affection, help.
Achievement, merit, fulfillment of conditions.
Process
Informal and spontaneous.
Structured and requires fulfillment of criteria.
Impact
Immediate and emotional connection.
Long-term and based on mutual interests/goals.
Examples
Gifts between friends, charitable donations.
Scholarships, research funding, licenses.
Compare with Definitions
Give
To offer something as a gift or contribution.
They give their time freely to volunteer at the shelter.
Grant
To bestow something, especially formally or according to a process.
The foundation granted her scholarship for her studies abroad.
Give
To provide or supply something.
The teacher gives attention to each student's needs.
Grant
To provide, especially as a means of assistance.
The government granted tax relief to the affected areas.
Give
To convey or transmit.
Giving advice is easier than applying it.
Grant
To give or award something based on fulfillment of specific criteria.
The agency granted funding for the community project.
Give
To present voluntarily and without expecting compensation.
She decided to give her old books to the local library.
Grant
To allow or concede something as valid.
The court granted the request for a new trial.
Give
To make a gift or donation to someone.
He gives to charity every month.
Grant
To give or confer officially.
The university granted him an honorary degree.
Give
Freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone)
He gave the papers back
The cheque given to the jeweller proved worthless
She gave him presents and clothes
Grant
To allow or consent to the fulfillment of (something requested)
Grant permission to speak frankly.
Grant a request.
Give
Cause or allow (someone or something) to have or experience (something); provide with
You gave me such a fright
This leaflet gives our opening times
Grant
To give or confer officially or formally
Grant voting rights to citizens.
Grant diplomatic immunity.
Give
Carry out or perform (a specified action)
He gave the counter a polish
I gave a bow
Grant
To transfer (property) by a deed.
Give
Yield as a product or result
Milk is sometimes added to give a richer cheese
Grant
To concede; acknowledge
I grant that your plan is ingenious, but you still will not find many backers.
Give
Concede (something) as valid or deserved in respect of (someone)
Give him his due
Grant
The act of granting.
Give
State or put forward (information or argument)
He did not give his name
Grant
Something granted, especially a giving of funds for a specific purpose
Federal grants for medical research.
Give
Alter in shape under pressure rather than resist or break
That chair doesn't give
Grant
The document or provision in a document by which a grant is made.
Give
Capacity to bend or alter in shape under pressure
Plastic pots that have enough give to accommodate the vigorous roots
Grant
One of several tracts of land in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont originally granted to an individual or a group.
Give
To make a present of
We gave her flowers for her birthday.
Grant
(ditransitive) to give (permission or wish)
He was granted permission to attend the meeting.
The genie granted him three wishes
Give
To place in the hands of; pass
Give me the scissors.
Grant
(ditransitive) To bestow or confer, with or without compensation, particularly in answer to prayer or request; to give.en
Give
To deliver in exchange or recompense; pay
Gave five dollars for the book.
Grant
(transitive) To agree with (someone) on (something); to accept (something) for the sake of argument; to admit to (someone) that (something) is true.
Give
To let go for a price; sell
Gave the used car away for two thousand dollars.
Grant
(intransitive) To assent; to consent.
Give
To administer
Give him some cough medicine.
Grant
The act of granting; a bestowing or conferring; concession; allowance; permission.
Give
To convey by a physical action
Gave me a punch in the nose.
Grant
The yielding or admission of something in dispute.
Give
To inflict as punishment
Was given life imprisonment for the crime.
Grant
The thing or property granted; a gift; a boon.
I got a grant from the government to study archeology in Egypt.
Give
To bestow, especially officially; confer
The Bill of Rights gives us freedom of speech.
Grant
(law) A transfer of property by deed or writing; especially, an appropriation or conveyance made by the government.
A grant of land or of money
Give
To accord or tender to another
Give him your confidence.
Grant
The deed or writing by which such a transfer is made.
Give
To put temporarily at the disposal of
Gave them the cottage for a week.
Grant
(informal) An application for a grant monetary boon to aid research or the like.
Give
To entrust to another, usually for a specified reason
Gave me the keys for safekeeping.
Grant
To give over; to make conveyance of; to give the possession or title of; to convey; - usually in answer to petition.
Grant me the place of this threshing floor.
Give
To communicate, convey, or offer for conveyance
Give him my best wishes. Give us the latest news.
Grant
To bestow or confer, with or without compensation, particularly in answer to prayer or request; to give.
Wherefore did God grant me my request.
Give
To endure the loss of; sacrifice
Gave her son to the war.
Gave her life for her country.
Grant
To admit as true what is not yet satisfactorily proved; to yield belief to; to allow; to yield; to concede.
Grant that the Fates have firmed by their decree.
Give
To devote or apply completely
Gives herself to her work.
Grant
To assent; to consent.
Give
To furnish or contribute
Gave their time to help others.
Grant
The act of granting; a bestowing or conferring; concession; allowance; permission.
Give
To offer in good faith; pledge
Give me your word.
Grant
The yielding or admission of something in dispute.
Give
To allot as a portion or share.
Grant
The thing or property granted; a gift; a boon.
Give
To bestow (a name, for example).
Grant
A transfer of property by deed or writing; especially, an appropriation or conveyance made by the government; as, a grant of land or of money; also, the deed or writing by which the transfer is made.
Give
To attribute (blame, for example) to someone; assign.
Grant
Any monetary aid
Give
To award as due
Gave us first prize.
Grant
The act of providing a subsidy
Give
To emit or utter
Gave a groan.
Gave a muted response.
Grant
(law) a transfer of property by deed of conveyance
Give
To submit for consideration, acceptance, or use
Give an opinion.
Give an excuse.
Grant
Scottish painter; cousin of Lytton Strachey and member of the Bloomsbury Group (1885-1978)
Give
To proffer to another
Gave the toddler my hand.
Grant
United States actor (born in England) who was the elegant leading man in many films (1904-1986)
Give
To perform for an audience
Give a recital.
Grant
18th President of the United States; commander of the Union armies in the American Civil War (1822-1885)
Give
To present to view
Gave the sign to begin.
Grant
A contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business;
He got the beer concession at the ball park
Give
To offer as entertainment
Give a dinner party.
Grant
A right or privilege that has been granted
Give
To propose as a toast.
Grant
Let have;
Grant permission
Mandela was allowed few visitors in prison
Give
To be a source of; afford
His remark gave offense. Music gives her pleasure.
Grant
Give on the basis of merit;
Funds are granted to qualified researchers
Give
To cause to catch or be subject to (a disease or bodily condition)
The draft gave me a cold.
Grant
Be willing to concede;
I grant you this much
Give
To guide or direct, as by persuasion or behavior. Used with an infinitive phrase
You gave me to imagine you approved of my report.
Grant
Allow to have;
Grant a privilege
Give
To yield or produce
Cows give milk.
Grant
Bestow, especially officially;
Grant a degree
Give a divorce
This bill grants us new rights
Give
To bring forth or bear
Trees that give fruit.
Grant
Give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
Give
To produce as a result of calculation
5 × 12 gives 60.
Grant
Transfer by deed;
Grant land
Give
To manifest or show
Gives promise of brilliance.
Gave evidence of tampering.
Give
To carry out (a physical movement)
Give a wink.
Give a start.
Give
To permit one to have or take
Gave us an hour to finish.
Give
To take an interest to the extent of
"My dear, I don't give a damn" (Margaret Mitchell).
Give
To make gifts or donations
Gives generously to charity.
Give
To yield to physical force
The sail gave during the storm.
Give
To collapse from force or pressure
The roof gave under the weight of the snow.
Give
To yield to change
Both sides will have to give on some issues.
Give
To afford access or a view; open
The doors give onto a terrace.
Give
(Slang) To be in progress; happen
What gives?.
Give
Capacity or inclination to yield under pressure.
Give
The quality or condition of resilience; springiness
"Fruits that have some give ... will have more juice than hard ones" (Elizabeth Schneider).
Give
(ditransitive) To move, shift, provide something abstract or concrete to someone or something or somewhere.
Give
To transfer one's possession or holding of (something) to (someone).
I gave him my coat.
I gave my coat to the beggar.
When they asked, I gave my coat.
Give
To make a present or gift of.
I'm going to give my wife a necklace for her birthday.
She gave a pair of shoes to her husband for their anniversary.
He gives of his energies to the organization.
Give
To pledge.
I gave him my word that I'd protect his children.
Give
To provide (something) to (someone), to allow or afford.
I gave them permission to miss tomorrow's class.
Please give me some more time.
Give
To cause (a sensation or feeling) to exist in.
It gives me a lot of pleasure to be here tonight.
The fence gave me an electric shock.
My mother-in-law gives me nothing but grief.
Give
To carry out (a physical interaction) with (something).
I want to give you a kiss.
She gave him a hug.
I'd like to give the tire a kick.
I gave the boy a push on the swing.
She gave me a wink afterwards, so I knew she was joking.
Give
To pass (something) into (someone's hand, etc.).
Give me your hand.
On entering the house, he gave his coat to the doorman.
Give
To cause (a disease or condition) in, or to transmit (a disease or condition) to.
My boyfriend gave me chlamydia.
He was convinced that it was his alcoholism that gave him cancer.
Give
(transitive) To provide, as, a service or a broadcast.
They're giving my favorite show!
Give
(ditransitive) To estimate or predict (a duration or probability) for (something).
I give it ten minutes before he gives up.
I give it a 95% chance of success.
I'll give their marriage six months.
Give
(intransitive) To yield or collapse under pressure or force.
One pillar gave, then more, and suddenly the whole floor pancaked onto the floor below.
Give
(intransitive) To lead (onto or into).
The master bedroom gives onto a spacious balcony.
Give
To provide a view of.
His window gave the park.
Give
To exhibit as a product or result; to produce; to yield.
The number of men, divided by the number of ships, gives four hundred to each ship.
Give
To cause; to make; used with the infinitive.
Give
To cause (someone) to have; produce in (someone); effectuate.
Give
To allow or admit by way of supposition; to concede.
He can be bad-tempered, I'll give you that, but he's a hard worker.
Give
To attribute; to assign; to adjudge.
Give
To communicate or announce (advice, tidings, etc.); to pronounce or utter (an opinion, a judgment, a shout, etc.).
The umpire finally gave his decision: the ball was out.
Give
To grant power, permission, destiny, etc. (especially to a person); to allot; to allow.
Give
(reflexive) To devote or apply (oneself).
The soldiers give themselves to plunder.
That boy is given to fits of bad temper.
Give
(obsolete) To become soft or moist.
Give
(obsolete) To shed tears; to weep.
Give
(obsolete) To have a misgiving.
Give
(slang) To be going on, to be occurring; what gives?
Your outfit is giving!
Give
The amount of bending that something undergoes when a force is applied to it; a tendency to yield under pressure; resilence.
This chair doesn't have much give.
There is no give in his dogmatic religious beliefs.
Give
To bestow without receiving a return; to confer without compensation; to impart, as a possession; to grant, as authority or permission; to yield up or allow.
For generous lords had rather give than pay.
Give
To yield possesion of; to deliver over, as property, in exchange for something; to pay; as, we give the value of what we buy.
What shall a man give in exchange for his soul ?
Give
To yield; to furnish; to produce; to emit; as, flint and steel give sparks.
Give
To communicate or announce, as advice, tidings, etc.; to pronounce; to render or utter, as an opinion, a judgment, a sentence, a shout, etc.
Give
To grant power or license to; to permit; to allow; to license; to commission.
It is given me once again to behold my friend.
Then give thy friend to shed the sacred wine.
Give
To exhibit as a product or result; to produce; to show; as, the number of men, divided by the number of ships, gives four hundred to each ship.
Give
To devote; to apply; used reflexively, to devote or apply one's self; as, the soldiers give themselves to plunder; also in this sense used very frequently in the past participle; as, the people are given to luxury and pleasure; the youth is given to study.
Give
To set forth as a known quantity or a known relation, or as a premise from which to reason; - used principally in the passive form given.
Give
To allow or admit by way of supposition.
I give not heaven for lost.
Give
To attribute; to assign; to adjudge.
I don't wonder at people's giving him to me as a lover.
Give
To excite or cause to exist, as a sensation; as, to give offense; to give pleasure or pain.
Give
To pledge; as, to give one's word.
Give
To cause; to make; - with the infinitive; as, to give one to understand, to know, etc.
But there the duke was given to understandThat in a gondola were seen togetherLorenzo and his amorous Jessica.
Give
To afford a view of; as, his window gave the park.
Whatsoever we employ in charitable uses during our lives, is given away from ourselves.
I fear our ears have given us the bag.
One that gives out himself Prince Florizel.
Give out you are of Epidamnum.
The Babylonians had given themselves over to all manner of vice.
He has . . . given upFor certain drops of salt, your city Rome.
I'll not state themBy giving up their characters.
Give
To give a gift or gifts.
Give
To yield to force or pressure; to relax; to become less rigid; as, the earth gives under the feet.
Give
To become soft or moist.
Give
To move; to recede.
Now back he gives, then rushes on amain.
Give
To shed tears; to weep.
Whose eyes do never giveBut through lust and laughter.
Give
To have a misgiving.
My mind gives ye're reservedTo rob poor market women.
Give
To open; to lead.
This, yielding, gave into a grassy walk.
They gave back and came no farther.
The Scots battalion was enforced to give in.
This consideration may induce a translator to give in to those general phrases.
Rooms which gave upon a pillared porch.
The gloomy staircase on which the grating gave.
It would be well for all authors, if they knew when to give over, and to desist from any further pursuits after fame.
Give
The elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
Give
Cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense;
She gave him a black eye
The draft gave me a cold
Give
Be the cause or source of;
He gave me a lot of trouble
Our meeting afforded much interesting information
Give
Transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody;
I gave her my money
Can you give me lessons?
She gave the children lots of love and tender loving care
Give
Convey or reveal information;
Give one's name
Give
Convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow;
Don't pay him any mind
Give the orders
Give him my best regards
Pay attention
Give
Organize or be responsible for;
Hold a reception
Have, throw, or make a party
Give a course
Give
Convey or communicate; of a smile, a look, a physical gesture;
Throw a glance
She gave me a dirty look
Give
Give as a present; make a gift of;
What will you give her for her birthday?
Give
Bring about;
His two singles gave the team the victory
Give
Dedicate;
Give thought to
Give priority to
Pay attention to
Give
Give or supply;
The cow brings in 5 liters of milk
This year's crop yielded 1,000 bushels of corn
The estate renders some revenue for the family
Give
Tell or deposit (information) knowledge;
Give a secret to the Russians
Leave your name and address here
Give
Bring about;
The trompe l'oeil-illusion establishes depth
Give
Leave with; give temporarily;
Can I give you my keys while I go in the pool?
Can I give you the children for the weekend?
Give
Emit or utter;
Give a gulp
Give a yelp
Give
Endure the loss of;
He gave his life for his children
I gave two sons to the war
Give
Place into the hands or custody of;
Hand me the spoon, please
Turn the files over to me, please
He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers
Give
Give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause;
She committed herself to the work of God
Give one's talents to a good cause
Consecrate your life to the church
Give
Give (as medicine);
I gave him the drug
Give
Give or convey physically;
She gave him First Aid
I gave him a punch in the nose
Give
Bestow;
Give hommage
Render thanks
Give
Bestow, especially officially;
Grant a degree
Give a divorce
This bill grants us new rights
Give
Move in order to make room for someone for something;
The park gave way to a supermarket
`Move over,' he told the crowd
Give
Give food to;
Feed the starving children in India
Don't give the child this tough meat
Give
Contribute to some cause;
I gave at the office
Give
Break down, literally or metaphorically;
The wall collapsed
The business collapsed
The dam broke
The roof collapsed
The wall gave in
The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice
Give
Estimate the duration or outcome of something;
He gave the patient three months to live
I gave him a very good chance at success
Give
Execute and deliver;
Give bond
Give
Deliver in exchange or recompense;
I'll give you three books for four CDs
Give
Afford access to;
The door opens to the patio
The French doors give onto a terrace
Give
Present to view;
He gave the sign to start
Give
Perform for an audience;
Pollini is giving another concert in New York
Give
Be flexible under stress of physical force;
This material doesn't give
Give
Propose;
He gave the first of many toasts at the birthday party
Give
Legal use: accord by verdict;
Give a decision for the plaintiff
Give
Manifest or show;
This student gives promise of real creativity
The office gave evidence of tampering
Give
Offer in good faith;
He gave her his word
Give
Submit for consideration, judgment, or use;
Give one's opinion
Give an excuse
Give
Guide or direct, as by behavior of persuasion;
You gave me to think that you agreed with me
Give
Allow to have or take;
I give you two minutes to respond
Give
Inflict as a punishment;
She gave the boy a good spanking
The judge gave me 10 years
Give
Occur;
What gives?
Give
Proffer (a body part);
She gave her hand to her little sister
Common Curiosities
What is a grant?
A grant is a sum of money or other resources given by an organization or government to an individual or group for a specific purpose, often based on meeting certain criteria.
Is giving always related to physical items?
No, giving can also involve non-physical items like support, advice, or rights.
How do giving and granting differ?
Giving is a broad, often unconditional act, while granting is more formal and conditional, typically requiring the recipient to meet specific qualifications.
Is a scholarship a form of grant?
Yes, scholarships are a form of grant awarded to students based on various criteria, such as academic achievement or financial need, to support their education.
How is the process of giving different from granting in a corporate setting?
In a corporate setting, giving might involve donations or sponsorships as part of social responsibility initiatives, while granting usually follows a formal application and review process aligned with strategic goals.
Why do organizations grant money or resources?
Organizations grant money or resources to support projects, individuals, or causes that align with their goals and objectives, often aiming to achieve social, educational, or scientific advancements.
Can a gift be considered a grant?
While gifts are generally given without conditions, a grant is more specific and usually involves criteria to be met, making them distinct in nature.
How can giving impact society?
Giving can foster a sense of community, encourage generosity, and provide immediate support to individuals in need, contributing to a more compassionate society.
Can the act of giving influence personal relationships?
Yes, giving can strengthen personal relationships by demonstrating care, generosity, and a willingness to support others, enhancing emotional bonds.
Can an individual grant something?
Yes, individuals can grant things like permissions or rights, often within a personal or professional context.
How does granting affect the recipient?
Receiving a grant can provide essential resources, recognition, and opportunities for advancement or development in a recipient's field or cause.
What does it mean to give something?
To give means to voluntarily transfer something to someone without expecting anything in return, motivated by generosity or a desire to help.
What are common criteria for granting funds to projects?
Criteria may include the project's relevance to the grantor's objectives, its feasibility, potential impact, and the capability of the individuals or teams involved.
What legal implications are associated with grants?
Grants may involve contracts or agreements outlining the use of the awarded resources and the obligations of the recipient, carrying legal implications for compliance and reporting.
What motivates individuals or organizations to give or grant resources?
Motivations include altruism, strategic interests, legal obligations, social responsibility, and a desire to contribute to positive change or development in a specific field or community.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
