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Original poster

"Gifted" as a verb

38 replies

JimandPam · 13/02/2025 10:35

I've seen 3 threads just this week with 'gifted' as a verb

e.g. My father was gifted a house

I'm not sure if this word is normal American English or a new usage that has crept in over time (I know there is a history of the word as a verb). I've seen it used widely even in formal pieces of writing recently.

It just makes me cringe and feels wrong compared to 'my father was given a house'

Am I the only one who twitches when they read it on here?

OP posts:
Sneezeless · 13/02/2025 11:05

100% agree OP.

nahthatsnotforme · 13/02/2025 11:04

I hate 'is anyone gifting?' On social media.

Just say... 'Does anyone have a * I can have?'

Like gifting is somehow a nicer way of asking for something for free. Hate it

AnSolas · 13/02/2025 11:03

My father was gifted a house
my father was given a house

Action and ownership of object:

My father was given a house and X now wants it back

For a short time for free? > it is X's give it back now
For money from father? > it is X's give back when contract ends
For ever? > its fathers house now

My father was gifted a house and X now wants if back

Yep its your fathers

LadysMantle · 13/02/2025 11:03

That’s been creeping in for years, OP, though I agree in finding it irritating, especially when used of small things. I’m broadly ok with ‘My bazillionaire aunt gifted me a house deposit’, but not ‘DH gifted me a bottle of perfume’.

Apileofballyhoo · 13/02/2025 11:02

I find it annoying too and nearly started a thread about it...

Lou205 · 13/02/2025 10:58

Gifted means having exceptional talent or natural ability, it doesn't mean you've been given something. The word for that is given. I thought that was a given.

CleverButScatty · 13/02/2025 10:55

Language is fluid, it's always being influenced and changing.
I like the nuance.

luckylavender · 13/02/2025 10:52

I absolutely hate it.

MyFlightWasAwfulThanksForAsking · 13/02/2025 10:49

I absolutely hate it, it sounds so wanky.

Serpentstooth · 13/02/2025 10:48

I hate it and, alarmingly, heard myself say it the other day. The relentless onslaught of American usage. Gets everywhere.

Pomegranatemum · 13/02/2025 10:45

I’m with you OP (though many others won’t be).
I dislike it so much it’s actually put me off the word ‘gift’ as a noun, which I’m sure I didn’t have a problem with previously!

crocheteveryday · 13/02/2025 10:45

It's not really necessary but it is making a subtle distinction. You can give someone something without it being a gift.

arcticpandas · 13/02/2025 10:38

It gives me the creeps as well.

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