Hey friends! Have you ever come across the word bestow and wondered what it really means? Maybe you've seen it in a fancy book or heard it in a speech, but you're not quite sure how to use it correctly. Well, you’ve come to the right place! Today, I’ll unpack everything you need to know about bestow — from its definition, usage, and examples, to common mistakes and tips for mastering this word. By the end of this guide, you'll confidently incorporate bestow into your writing and speech. So, let's dive in!
What Does Bestow Mean?
Bestow is a somewhat formal and elegant verb that means to give, present, or confer something valuable or meaningful to someone. It’s often used when talking about granting honors, awards, gifts, or blessings.
Definition List: Key Terms Related to Bestow
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bestow | To give or present something, often with a sense of honor, respect, or formality. |
| Recipient | The person who receives or is given something. |
| Confer | To bestow or grant, usually used in formal contexts like awards or honors. |
| Donate | To give something as a gift, often in a charitable context. |
| Grant | To agree to give or allow something, often officially or formally. |
How Bestow is Used in Practice
Imagine you’re reading a story or speech, and someone says, “The king bestowed knighthood upon the brave soldier.” Here, bestowed shows giving something significant — in this case, a title or honor.
Common Contexts for Bestow
- Awards and honors (e.g., "The university bestowed an honorary degree.")
- Gifts and presents, especially in formal situations
- Blessings or divine gifts
- Titles, membership, or privileges
Example Sentences
- The philanthropist bestowed a large donation on the hospital.
- During the ceremony, the president bestowed medals to the brave firefighters.
- She bestowed her trust upon him after years of friendship.
- The king bestowed the title of Duke on his loyal vizier.
Why Use Bestow Instead of Just "Give"?
Great question! It’s all about nuance. Bestow carries a sense of respect, formality, and significance. It’s often used when the act of giving is important or ceremonial, rather than casual.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Verb | Usage | Tone | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Give | Everyday, casual | Neutral | I gave her a gift. |
| Bestow | Formal, respectful | Elegant, ceremonial | The queen bestowed honors on her subjects. |
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Bestow Correctly
- Identify the object – What is being given or conferred? (e.g., award, honor, gift)
- Determine the recipient – Who receives the item? (e.g., person, organization)
- Choose the appropriate tense – Whether it’s past, present, or future.
- Construct the sentence using the correct form (most commonly, bestowed in past tense).
Example Process:
- Object: Honor
- Recipient: the soldier
- Tense: Past
- Sentence: "The general bestowed a medal upon the soldier."
Detailed Data Table: Usage, Tenses, and Forms of Bestow
| Tense | Singular Forms | Plural Forms | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present | bestows | bestow | She bestows gifts generously. |
| Past | bestowed | bestowed | He bestowed great respect on her. |
| Future | will bestow | will bestow | They will bestow awards next week. |
| Present Participle | bestowing | – | The queen is bestowing honors tonight. |
| Past Participle | bestowed | – | The honor has been bestowed by the committee. |
Tips for Mastering Bestow
- Use it in formal writing or speeches where you want to sound respectful or grand.
- Remember it often relates to awards, honors, or blessings.
- Practice with synonyms like confer or grant to expand your vocabulary.
- Keep an eye out for contexts where giving is meaningful or ceremonial.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Correct Usage | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Using bestow when the gift is casual | Use give, hand, or pass instead | Bestow is too formal for casual gifts |
| Saying bestowed when referring to a person giving casually | Use gave or handed | Context matters; bestow should be formal or ceremonial |
| Confusing bestow with best | Best means superior or the highest | Bestow is about giving something |
Similar Variations of Bestow
- Confer – Usually used in official or academic contexts.
- Grant – Often related to permissions, rights, or awards.
- Donate – Giving to charities or causes.
- Present – The act of giving, sometimes in a ceremonial context.
Note: While similar, these words have subtle differences in tone and usage, so choose the one best suited for your context.
Why Is Using Bestow Important?
Using bestow appropriately elevates your writing and speech, conveying respect, formality, and significance. It’s especially valuable in formal invitations, speeches, awards ceremonies, or when you want to express a sense of honor or sacredness attached to giving.
Practice Exercises
Let’s chew on some practice to reinforce what you’ve learned!
1. Fill-in-the-blank
- The university __________ an honorary degree to the renowned scientist.
(Answer: bestowed)
2. Error Correction
- She has bestowed the gift to him yesterday.
(Corrected: She bestowed the gift on him yesterday.)
3. Identification
- Is “bestow” formal or informal?
(Answer: Formal)
4. Sentence Construction
- Construct a sentence using bestow in the future tense.
(Sample answer: The company will bestow awards on the employees next month.)
5. Category Matching
Match the terms with the appropriate context:
| Term | Context |
|---|---|
| Bestow | Formal awards or blessings |
| Give | Casual gift-giving |
| Grant | Official permission or rights |
| Donate | Charitable giving |
Summary and Final Thoughts
So there you have it! Bestow is a powerful word that signifies giving or conferring, usually with a sense of honor or ceremony. Remember, its best use is in formal writing, speeches, or situations where respect and significance matter. Practice constructing sentences with different tenses, and familiarize yourself with its synonyms and variants to expand your vocabulary.
Next time you want to elevate your language, consider bestowing some well-deserved respect or gift. Keep practicing, and soon it will become a natural part of your vocabulary! Thanks for reading, and happy writing!
If you’re serious about mastering English grammar, keep exploring choices like bestow, and you’ll shine in both your speaking and writing!
Keywords: Bestow, Meaning, Examples, Formal, Conferring, Honors, Vocabulary, Usage, Grammar.