What Does “Lavish sth on sth” Mean?
“Lavish sth on sth” means to give or spend a large amount of something, such as money, praise, or gifts, generously on someone or something.
Introduction
The phrase “lavish sth on sth” is commonly used in English to describe the act of generously giving or spending something valuable on a person, object, or event. This could include money, attention, praise, or gifts. Understanding the “lavish sth on sth meaning” helps learners express generosity or abundance in various contexts, whether in personal relationships, business, or everyday situations. Using this phrasal verb correctly can make your English sound more natural and descriptive. In this article, you will find clear explanations, examples, and tips on how to use “lavish sth on sth” effectively.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: lavish sth on sth (lavish something on something)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To give or spend a lot of something generously on someone or something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Lavish” is a transitive verb commonly used in the pattern: lavish + something + on + someone/something. The “something” refers to what is being given or spent, and “someone/something” is the recipient.
This phrasal verb is inseparable, meaning you cannot place the object between “lavish” and “on”. For example, you say:
- Correct: She lavished praise on her team.
- Incorrect: She lavished on her team praise.
How to Use “Lavish sth on sth”?
Use “lavish sth on sth” when you want to emphasize generosity or abundance. It often relates to positive things like gifts, money, or compliments. The phrase can be applied in formal and informal contexts.
Examples of what you can lavish include:
- Money on a project
- Attention on a child
- Praise on an employee
- Gifts on a friend
Examples
Here are some examples of “lavish sth on sth in a sentence” to help you understand its use:
- They lavished a lot of money on renovating their house.
- Parents often lavish love and care on their children.
- The company lavished praise on the team for their hard work.
- She lavished gifts on her friends during the holidays.
- He lavished attention on his new car, cleaning it every day.
Common Mistakes
Beginners sometimes confuse the word order or use “lavish” without “on”. Here are some incorrect and correct examples:
- Incorrect: She lavished on praise her team.
Correct: She lavished praise on her team. - Incorrect: They lavish money to the project.
Correct: They lavish money on the project. - Incorrect: He lavished his friends with gifts.
Correct: He lavished gifts on his friends.
Differences / Synonyms
“Lavish sth on sth” is similar to “shower sth on sth” or “heap sth on sth,” but there are subtle differences. “Lavish” implies generosity and abundance, often with a positive or luxurious feel. “Shower” suggests a sudden or heavy giving, “heap” implies piling up, sometimes excessively.
For example:
- She lavished gifts on her parents. (generous and continuous)
- He showered her with compliments. (many compliments quickly)
- They heaped praise on the artist. (a large amount, possibly overwhelming)
Common Collocations
When using “lavish sth on sth,” certain objects are commonly paired with the verb. Here are some frequent collocations with their meanings:
- Lavish money on – spend a large amount of money
- Lavish praise on – give a lot of compliments or approval
- Lavish attention on – give a lot of focus or care
- Lavish gifts on – give many presents generously
- Lavish care on – provide a lot of help or support
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of lavish sth on sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “lavish sth on sth”:
Anna: I noticed you lavished a lot of gifts on your sister’s birthday. Why so much?
Mark: She’s been really supportive lately, so I wanted to show my appreciation.
Anna: That’s sweet! It’s great to lavish kindness on people who matter.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences below by choosing the correct option:
- They lavish _______ on their children every holiday.
- a) money
- b) on money
- c) money on
- She lavished _______ on her hardworking team.
- a) praise on
- b) on praise
- c) praise
- Correct the sentence: He lavished his friends with gifts.
FAQs
- Q: Can I use “lavish” without “on”?
A: No, “lavish” is usually followed by “on” when giving something generously. - Q: Is “lavish sth on sth” formal or informal?
A: It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. - Q: What kinds of things can be lavished?
A: Money, praise, gifts, attention, and care are common. - Q: Can “lavish” be used in passive voice?
A: Yes, for example, “She was lavished with gifts.” - Q: Is “lavish” separable?
A: No, you cannot separate “lavish” and “on” by placing the object in between.
