special gift

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   a present that is given because someone or something is important or loved.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a special gift' or 'special gifts'.

   Patterns

   • a special gift for someone
   • give someone a special gift
   • a special gift from someone

   He bought a special gift for his mother's birthday.

   The necklace was a special gift from her grandmother.

   They exchanged special gifts at the end of the trip.

2. 2nouncountable

   a natural ability to do something very well.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'for' and a noun or -ing form: a special gift for painting.

   Patterns

   • a special gift for something
   • a special gift for doing something

   She has a special gift for making people feel welcome.

   His special gift for numbers helped him become an accountant.

Word forms

Common combinations

a special gift for someone

I'm looking for a special gift for my sister.

a special gift from someone

This watch is a special gift from my parents.

a special gift for doing something

He has a special gift for explaining difficult ideas.

give someone a special gift

They gave the teacher a special gift at the end of the year.

Synonyms and how they differ

present

The usual everyday word for something you give; 'special gift' emphasizes that it is important or unusual.

talent

A natural ability; it fits the second meaning of 'special gift' but not the first.

Word family

gift noun

a present or a natural ability

gifted adjective

having a lot of natural ability

Commonly confused: special gift or present?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “special gift”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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