Meaning & use
offer
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To present something for someone to accept, reject, or consider.
Grammar: Takes an object: offer a job, offer help. Can be followed by to + infinitive: offer to help.
Patterns
- offer someone something
- offer something to someone
- offer to do something
She offered me a cup of coffee.
He offered to drive us to the airport.
The company offered him a position in the marketing department.
verbintransitive
To say that you are willing to give or do something.
Grammar: No object; often followed by to + infinitive: offer to help.
Patterns
- offer to do something
- offer help
He offered to carry her bags.
They offered to pay for the damage.
She offered to babysit while we were out.
nouncountable
A statement in which you say you are willing to give something or do something.
Grammar: Countable noun: an offer, the offer. Often used with verbs like make, accept, or refuse.
Patterns
- make an offer
- accept an offer
- refuse an offer
They made an offer on the house.
She accepted the job offer immediately.
His offer of help was gratefully received.
Word forms
| third person singular | offers |
|---|---|
| past tense | offered |
| past participle | offered |
| -ing form | offering |
Common combinations
- offer an opinion
- She rarely offers an opinion unless asked.
- offer a solution
- The engineer offered a solution to the problem.
- offer assistance
- The staff offered assistance to the lost tourists.
- job offer
- He received a job offer from a tech company.
- special offer
- The store has a special offer on shoes this week.
Synonyms and how they differ
- propose
- Often used for formal suggestions or plans; offer is more general and can be about giving things or help.
- present
- More formal; to present something is to show or give it officially, while offer emphasizes willingness.
- provide
- Means to give what is needed; offer suggests the other person can choose to accept or not.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: offer or afford?
offer vs afford
Means to have enough money or time for something; offer means to present something for acceptance.
Practice
She ______ to help me with my homework.
Choose one answer.
The verb 'offer' can be followed directly by a to-infinitive: offer to help. 'Offered me' needs an object like 'offered me help'. 'Offered for' and 'offered to' are not correct patterns here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “offer”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.