give
verb (used with object)
to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow.
were giving
-
past progressiveof give.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Meanwhile, bettors were giving the U.S. just a 2% chance of going all the way.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
Construction and manufacturing were giving way to a digital economy based on knowledge alone.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026
The couple were taken from theatre to a private room back through the labour ward where other women were giving birth.
From BBC ● May 11, 2026
They were giving out black bandannas with a drawing of Cherie Lee’s saloon emblazoned with Shaboozey “The Outlaw Cherie Lee,” the name of his forthcoming concept album.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 27, 2026
Thalia already had Aegis on her arm, and even our own teammates were giving her a wide berth, trying not to cower before the bronze head of Medusa.
From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan
