give lessons to vs give a lesson to

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Give lessons to' is used when referring to teaching a subject or skill over a period of time, while 'give a lesson to' is used when referring to teaching a specific lesson or moral to someone.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 2250 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to teaching a subject or skill over a period of time.

"give lessons to"

This phrase is used when someone is regularly teaching a subject or skill to another person or group.

Examples:

She gives piano lessons to children every Saturday.
He gives English lessons to international students online.
The school offers lessons to help students improve their math skills.

Show examples from the web [+]

What is striking is that people who have done nothing in their country and who have not taken one step towards ratifying the Constitution or approving the Treaty are trying to give lessons to those who have done their job.
Therefore, let me say it again: stop pretending that you can give lessons to the world.
A European Union that cannot adopt a Charter of Fundamental Rights that applies throughout its territory is ill placed to try and give lessons to the rest of the world.
For the umpteenth time we say: stop pretending that you can give lessons to the world.
It is not for the European Union to be the schoolmaster and give lessons to Russia.
Ladies and gentlemen, before we presume to give lessons to the King of Morocco, let us start by putting our own house in order.
No, we just give lessons to the other team!
I poor idiot, all wrong in my life, all lost, wife, children, and I give lessons to you
Three women teachers who have stayed to give lessons to children are encountering terrible difficulties, and out of the 20, 000 people who were living in the enclave in 1974, only about 450 remain, precisely because of the constant persecution that has gone on.
On the one hand, how can we give lessons to others and be credible without first washing our own dirty linen in public?
To attempt to give lessons to that country and select it as the appropriate locale for urgent intervention is either an error of judgment, which is what I hope, or deliberate, blind partisanship, which is what I fear.

Alternatives:

teach
provide instruction to
offer guidance on
conduct classes for
educate in

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to teaching a specific lesson or moral to someone.

"give a lesson to"

This phrase is used when someone imparts a specific lesson or moral to another person in a particular situation.

Examples:

The experience gave him a valuable lesson in humility.
Her mistake taught her a lesson in responsibility.
The movie gives a lesson to viewers about the importance of family.

Show examples from the web [+]

She will give a lesson to one of you
This is not an opportunity for you to give a lesson to the Commissioner in the reply, but of asking the questions which you consider to be appropriate.
If you don't retract, I'll give you a lesson to remember.
OK, let me give you a lesson I had to learn the hard way.
I'm here to give you a lesson, not to play hide-and-seek.
Next time I have to give a lesson, it won't come with a reprieve.
Yes Yes Or we could find a way less criminal to give a lesson.
When the van der Luydens chose, they knew how to give a lesson.
Today she gives lessons to the poor children of the neighborhood.
For the umpteenth time we say: stop pretending that you can give lessons to the world.
It is not for the European Union to be the schoolmaster and give lessons to Russia.
Therefore, let me say it again: stop pretending that you can give lessons to the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, before we presume to give lessons to the King of Morocco, let us start by putting our own house in order.
The excellent report by my colleague Mrs Randzio-Plath is intended to give a lesson in voluntarism in this respect and, with your permission, I would like to extract two ideas.
I give German lessons to students now.
I've got to give English lessons to pay the rent.
A European Union that cannot adopt a Charter of Fundamental Rights that applies throughout its territory is ill placed to try and give lessons to the rest of the world.
It is not up to those in collusion with the privileged minority and those who conducted or supported colonial violence to give morality lessons to that country.
Come to my house, everybody, I'll give some lessons to each of you.
She could give me a lesson anytime.

Alternatives:

teach a lesson to
impart a lesson to
offer a moral to
provide insight to
instill a value in

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give lessons to vs give a lesson to

"give lessons to"

"give a lesson to"

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