Gifts Or Presents | The Differences

The word “gift” and “present” are one of the many doublets that we have in the English language. In general, Gift and present mean the same thing but there are slight differences between these two words. Both gift and present refer to anything that is voluntarily given to another person. However, the gift also refers to natural talent or ability. Moreover, “Present” refers to a formal act while “gift” refers to an informal act.

What Is A Gift?

According to Dictionary.com Gift is a noun. The meanings of gift are:

1. something has given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance; present

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2. The act of giving

3. Something bestowed or acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being earned

4. A special ability or capacity; natural endowment; talent

A gift has a broad category. Gift includes everything that we know as “Present” as well as unplanned gestures. A gift can be anything including money. Moreover, a gift is general and it can be given any time to anyone regardless of an occasion.

What Is Present?

According to Merriam-Webster present is also a noun. The meanings of the present are:

1. To make a gift

2. To give or bestow formally

3. To offer

A present is something that is given to someone on a special occasion or at a special event. For example, birthday presents, wedding presents, Christmas presents, etc. A present is always a material that may or may not help the recipient.

The Difference Between Gift And Present

Both words are from different languages. The gift comes from the old Germanic root for “to give.” On the other hand, Present comes from the French for “to present.” The word gift and present can be used as a well-matched synonym for each other. However, all well-matched synonym have their own connotations and distinctive patterns of use.

1. The word Gift applies to a wider range of situations; Present has some specific uses

2. Gift can be used as an attributive noun that will work as an adjective to modify another noun; Present can’t be used as an adjective to modify another noun

3. Gift appears more frequently in a sentence than Present because the word “Gift” has a broad category

Use Of The Word “Gift” In Sentence

1. She received a generous gift

2. She accepted his gift

3. I believe it is a gift

4. This is a gift for you

5. I have a small gift for you

6. I’m looking for a gift for my wife

7. I’m trying to find the perfect gift

8. I need to buy a birthday gift

9. They all received gifts on Christmas Eve

10. She got a gift certificate for a massage

Use Of The Word “Present” In Sentence

1. I got you a present

2. Tom gave me a present

3. He accepted my present

4. I’ll get Tom a present

5. It’s a present for you

6. She gave him a present

7. I brought you a present

8. She gave him a nice present

9. They each received a present

10. Don’t buy me presents anymore

FAQs About Gift And Present

1. What Is A Fancy Word For Gift?

There are many synonyms available for the word Gift. You can use the donation, contribution, offering, benefaction, endowment, bounty, boon, largess, alms, gratuity, tip, premium, allowance, subsidy, bequest, legacy, inheritance, dowry, etc.

2. What Is The Opposite Word Of Gift?

Some antonyms for the word gift are reservation, refusal, wages, purchase, earnings, compensation, remuneration, insanity, stupidity, forfeit, penalty, fine, surrender.

3. Which Means Almost The Same As The Word Presents?

There are many synonyms available that mean almost the same as the word Present. They are hand over, give, give out, dispense, hand out, confer, bestow, award, grant, donate, gift, accord, extend, entrust, furnish, etc.

4. What Type Of Word Is Present?

The word Present is a noun. It means to give away something to someone.    

5. What Type Of Word Is Gift?

The word Gift is a noun. It means the act of giving.

   

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