give back — return something
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcore
to return something to the person or place it came from, especially after borrowing or using it.
Say it like a native
Textbook Kindly return the book to me when you have finished.
Native Give me the book back when you're done.
'Give back' is the everyday phrasal verb; 'kindly return' is formal/written.
Pattern: give something back (to someone)
In use
- Please give back my pen when you’re finished with it.daily life
- If I borrow something from a friend, I always make sure to give it back as soon as possible because I think it shows respect.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Can you give back me my pen?
✓ Can you give my pen back? / give me my pen back?
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle — 'give it back', never 'give back it'.
Common collocations
give + back— the money, it, my keys, the change
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'take back', which can mean to admit you were wrong or to physically bring something back.