Meaning trap
give out
distribute
to hand something to each person in a group; to distribute.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to hand something to each person in a group; to distribute.
Another meaning of 'give out' is 'stop working'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- The teacher gave out the exam papers to the students.daily life
- In my school, the principal would often give out certificates to students who did well in their exams.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: give out [something] (to [someone])
WrongShe gave out us the worksheets.
RightShe gave us the worksheets. / She gave out the worksheets.
Don't put the recipient between 'give' and 'out'. Use 'give out + thing', or 'give + person + thing'.
Patterngive out [something] (to [someone])
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Give out' is the everyday verb for handing things to people one by one. 'Distribute to attendees' is admin-speak.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
give out + itemsleafletsfree samplessweetsprizes
Don't confuse it
'Give out' (distribute) is different from 'give away', which often means to give something for free, usually as a gift.
Related
- give out (stop working) — Another meaning of 'give out' is 'stop working'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.