Literary notes about gives (AI summary)
Across a wide range of literary styles, the verb "gives" is used to denote both a physical transfer and a more abstract, transformative act. In some instances it marks a literal action—such as bestowing a slap ([1], [2]), providing recitals or explanations ([3], [4]), or conveying concrete objects like musical notes or money ([5], [6])—while in others it carries a metaphorical or philosophical weight. For example, authors use "gives" to suggest the infusion of life or spirit into inanimate things ([7]), to indicate the bestowal of qualities and emotions that shape character or mood ([8], [9]), and even to signal cause and effect in abstract debates about knowledge or beauty ([10], [11]). In each case, the simplicity of the word "gives" belies its powerful ability to connect action with consequence, physicality with emotion, and materiality with the deeper human experience.
- [241] In August he gives Adams another slap.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - MONSIEUR JOURDAIN : (Sees that Nicole is listening, and gives her a slap)
— from The Middle-Class Gentleman by Molière - He gives recitals on a $125,000 organ, and the pleased people naturally slip into a buying mood.
— from The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein - Richet gives a partial bibliography in the Revue Scientifique, vol. 38, p. 788 (1886).
— from The Principles of Psychology, Volume 1 (of 2) by William James - [Gives her some money.]
— from A Doll's House : a play by Henrik Ibsen - Then there is that whipper-snapper of a student, who gives me a couple of francs.
— from Father Goriot by Honoré de Balzac - It is the spirit which gives the thing life!
— from The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book I and II by Nietzsche - My aunt observes the change, and though she has not inquired the cause or made any remark to me on the subject, I see it gives her pleasure.
— from The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë - The young man went down to breakfast with the indefinable air which the consciousness of the possession of money gives to youth.
— from Father Goriot by Honoré de Balzac - It is an old debate among philosophers whether deduction ever gives new knowledge.
— from The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell - The more pervading effect of beauty gives place to what may almost be called explosions of sublimity or pathos.
— from Shakespearean Tragedy: Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth by A. C. Bradley
