2007-02-13 05:34:44 · 9 answers · asked by Laura E 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
No difference. They mean the same thing.
2007-02-13 05:38:10 · answer #1 · answered by ecolink 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Almost the whole vocabulary of everyday English is made up of pairs: a native English one and an imported French synonymn. Sometimes there is a big difference in how each of the pair is used, sometimes the difference is so small that even the native speaker finds it hard to know quite what it is. But in almost all cases, the English is the downmarket, more everyday one, the French the upmarket, more formal and more socially pretentious one. The English word is often the more general word, the French one the more concrete and specific. Gift (the English) and Present (the French) are perfect examples. Gift (from the verb To Give) is the more ordinary, more general word. Anything given can be a gift. Présent (from the verb To Presént, with a change of stress) is the more socially pretentious one. I give you a kiss, your wages, a kick in the pants. The queen presents you with a title, a knighthood, a medal for bravery. You have the gift of the gab (a natural way with words), the gift of a increase in yor pocket money. A Christmas present is what you take to someone to celebrate the occasion, as is a Birthday present. A gift is often an action, a present is usually something concrete. If in doubt, use "gift"; keep "present" for situations where you altready know it to be appropriate.
2016-05-24 05:44:43 · answer #2 · answered by Melissa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A present is a gift and a gift is a something presented to you. may be why we look at a present differently is because a present mostly comes with a special package.
2007-02-13 05:43:32 · answer #3 · answered by oluwatobi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A gift is a present to someone.
A present is a gift to someone.
2007-02-13 05:43:06 · answer #4 · answered by EBL 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I KNOW, I KNOW!!!!!
A present is something you receive that you intend to keep. A gift is something that people get you that you never wanted to begin with.
Have you ever heard of "Re-presenting", no of course not! But we all know about re-gifting don't we?
My gift to you!
-Monkey
2007-02-13 05:42:32 · answer #5 · answered by monkey tuesday 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess a present is for a birthday, and a gift is a gift for any occasion or no occasion at all.
2007-02-13 05:38:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There isn't one, but if there had to be one I would think someone is obliged to give a present and someone willingly gives a gift.
2007-02-13 05:43:39 · answer #7 · answered by brittani p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
technically they are the same...i think the only difference might be in the interpretation of how they are given/received...gifts are generallly given to curry favor where presents indicate a prior or more intimate relationship...
2007-02-13 05:45:36 · answer #8 · answered by techteach03 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the dictionary, there's no difference.
2007-02-13 05:43:07 · answer #9 · answered by Offkey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋