Gift and present both mean something you give to someone, and most of the time you can use either: a birthday present, a birthday gift. Present sounds simpler and more casual, while gift is a little more formal and popular with shops and services. Only gift also means a natural talent.
gift or present — can you pick the right one?
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a birthday/Christmas + present/gift; give + person + a present; gift card; gift shop; gift voucher; a gift for + noun/-ing
- I still haven't bought my mum a present for her birthday next week.
- When I left the company, my colleagues gave me a gift voucher for a spa.
- He has a real gift for explaining difficult ideas in simple words.
What changed
First versionI bought my brother a present card for his favourite bookshop.
RevisionI bought my brother a gift card for his favourite bookshop.
Present is often the first word that comes to mind, so it's tempting to build present card from it. But in fixed phrases from the world of shops, only gift is used: gift card, gift shop, gift wrapping. A native speaker wouldn't say present card.
Gift also means a talent: She has a gift for languages. Present isn't used this way. But present has a second meaning of its own, the time now: Let's focus on the present, not the past.
Your turn
My grandmother was a talented singer, and I think I got my ___ for music from her.
Show the answer
gift — This is about a talent for music inherited from a grandmother, not an object. In the meaning “talent, ability” only gift works: a gift for music. Present means a thing someone gives you, so it doesn't fit here.
Think of a present you especially liked. Write who gave it to you and for what occasion, and use the word present.
My best friend gave me an old film camera as a birthday present, and I still use it every weekend.
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