Use give back when you return something to its owner.
The idea
In neutral everyday English, a noun can follow back or come between the words: give back the book or give the book back. A pronoun goes between them: give it back.
Examples
- Please give back my umbrella tomorrow.
- Maya gave the book back to the library.
- I found your keys and gave them back to you.
- Can we give the chairs back after the party?
- Leo will give it back on Monday.
- The child gave back the toy to its owner.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.
No English device voice is available. You can still read the examples.
Watch out
Do not say give back it: put it before back.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct option. Please give ___ my pen. (back / away)
Show answer or example answer
back
back completes the request to return the pen.
Choose the correct option. I borrowed her bag and gave ___ back. (it / back it)
Show answer or example answer
it
it refers to the borrowed bag and fits before the particle.
Choose the correct option. Yesterday we ___ the map back. (gave / give)
Show answer or example answer
gave
gave places the return in the past, as indicated by yesterday.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct option. Please give ___ my pen. (back / away)
Choose the correct option. I borrowed her bag and gave ___ back. (it / back it)
Choose the correct option. Yesterday we ___ the map back. (gave / give)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Describe something you borrowed and when you gave it back.