Formal French uses this verb for granting and conferring.
Administrative French uses donner lieu à — to give rise to: « cette clause peut donner lieu à contestation ». It is impersonal, precise and everywhere in contracts.
Literary narrative uses the past historic il donna, which you should recognise and never speak. And donner sa parole — to give one’s word — retains a formal, weighty feel.
💡 Focus at this level: Literary & formal
1. « Donner lieu à » in legal and formal writing. Learn it whole.
2. Recognise « il donna ». Past historic, written narrative only.
3. « Donner sa parole » is a strong commitment — not casual.
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