As a noun, present not only means copy of gift, but also means “present, present”, while gift means “gift, talent”; as a verb, both have “gift meaning”, while present is more formal. Gift means “give”.
01
gift
gift, gift
talent, genius, talent
Shegavemeanunusualgift.
She gave me an unusual gift.
Shetorethewrappingawayandtookoutthegift.
She ripped open the package and took out the gift.
Mozartwasatalentedmusician.
Mozart was a talented musician.
Lifewillnotgiftyouwithwhatyourheartdesiresunlessyoureallydeserveit.
Life won’t give you what your heart desires unless you really deserve it.
02
present
gift, gift
Whatdoyouwantforapresent?
What gift do you want?
Sheboughtherfriendapresent.
She bought a gift for a friend.
Hewrappedthepresentinprettypaperforhisgirlfriend.
He wrapped it in beautiful paper and gave it to his girlfriend as a gift.
The word present is multi-meaning, and only one usage is introduced today.
03
The difference between present and gift
It is not surprising that we buy something, wrap it up, and give it to the person we want to give it to. Sometimes we call such gifts gifts, and sometimes we call them presents.
They both mean giving something to someone else without expecting anything in return from the recipient.
Under normal circumstances, we use them interchangeably based on our feelings:
JackexchangedgiftswithSuzaneatChristmas.
Jack exchanges gifts with Susannah at Christmas.
Shesentthemapresenttoexpresshergratitude.
She shows her gratitude by giving them a gift.
IwentaroundalltheshopsbutIcouldntfindapresentforhim.
I’ve been to all the stores, but I can’t find a gift for him.
But there are some subtle differences between the two. If we want to use it more accurately, it is better to understand clearly.
1, present can be a gift to be “rewarded” or as a “souvenir”; gift can mean a gift to be “given” or “donated”.
Wehandedoutgiftsoffoodandclothingtothesurvivorsoftheflood.
We distributed gifts such as food and clothing to the flood-stricken refugees.
Angelaacceptedthepresentgiventoherbyheruncleforherexcellentresults.
Angela accepted a gift from her uncle for her excellent grades.
Theorphanageacceptsgiftsfromthenoblehearted.
The orphanage accepted gifts from noble people.
2, present is a word used in the informal context of everyday life; gift is a word used in the formal language in the formal context.
Herealisedthatitwasimproperforapoliceofficertoacceptgifts.
He realized that it was inappropriate for the police to accept gifts.
Gifts are often more valuable and precious than present; present is more ordinary.
Thefamilymadeagiftofhispaintingstothegallery.
His family gave his paintings to the art gallery.
Shesgotasecretadmirerwhokeepssendinghergifts.
Someone who had a crush on her kept giving her gifts.
(I can’t show my heart with a present.)
Thewatchwasagiftfrommymother.
This watch was a gift from my mother.
(I can’t show the preciousness in my heart with a present.)
3. A present can only be a concrete gift; a gift can be either a concrete gift or an abstract gift:
Agiftofloveforyourbirthday, whichisawarmwishfrommyheart.
Send a gift of love to your birthday, this is my warm wish from the bottom of my heart.
IfigurelifeisagiftandIdontintendonwastingit.
I feel that life is a gift, I don’t want to waste it.
4, gift can be used as an attribute, present does not make an attribute.
Theresagiftshopinthemuseum.
There is a gift shop in the museum.
Sellingpricehereindicatestheballoonsvalue, giftboxandribbon.
The selling price here indicates the value of balloons, gift boxes and ribbons.
