present vs gift

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New2grammar

#406897 Mon, 20 Aug 07 05:01 PM

Is there any difference between present and gift? Below are the definitions from dictionary but I can't tell the difference.

present - give as a present; make a gift of;

Gift. Something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation

Thanks!

Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006

Veteran Member (7,670)

Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?

Yoong Liat

#406926 Mon, 20 Aug 07 06:27 PM

New2grammar wrote:

Is there any difference between present and gift? Below are the definitions from dictionary but I can't tell the difference.

According to Collins Cobuild English Dictionary for Advanced Learners, a present is a gift.

Joined on Mon, Sep 4 2006

Singapore

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Yoong Liat

pieanne

#406933 Mon, 20 Aug 07 06:32 PM

But "gift" has another meaning (to be gifted for sth); you can't use "present" in that case (but I'm sure you already know that...)

Joined on Thu, Jan 20 2005

South of France ...But I'm Belgian!

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I'm glad to help, but I'm not a native! And please excuse my typos...

New2grammar

#406938 Mon, 20 Aug 07 06:37 PM

Thank you everyone! Now I know they are interchangable when referring to, for example, birthday gift/present.

Grammar Geek

#407011 Mon, 20 Aug 07 10:04 PM

N2G, as a noun, I find them interchangeable. Birthday gift, birthday present. Wedding gift, wedding present.

One situation that uses only gift is a monetary gift to a charity. You refer to that as a gift, not a present.

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

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Barbara, who answers in American English.

New2grammar

#407014 Mon, 20 Aug 07 10:07 PM

Thank you, GG! To be on the safe side, I'll only use 'gift' from today onward Smile [:)]