to grant
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to grant
To allow, approve, or give something to someone, often in response to a request. It is often used for formal approvals such as loans, rights, or wishes.
Die Stiftung hat ihr ein Stipendium gewährt.
The foundation granted her a scholarship.
to let someone be
Not to interfere in a person's actions; to let someone do what he or she wants.
Die Kinder spielten wild im Garten, aber ihre Mutter ließ sie einfach gewähren.
The children were playing wildly in the garden, but their mother simply let them be.
The verb 'gewähren' (to grant) almost always requires two objects: the person to whom something is granted is in the dative, and the thing being granted is in the accusative.
Die Bank hat ihm den Kredit gewährt.
The bank granted him the loan.
'Gewähren' (to grant) is a formal word. You mainly find it in written language, in official documents, or in a very polite, elevated style.
Dem Antragsteller wurde eine Fristverlängerung gewährt.
The applicant was granted an extension of the deadline.
Typical things that one 'gewährt' (grants) are formal approvals or abstract concepts. Common combinations are 'einen Kredit gewähren' (to grant a loan), 'Asyl gewähren' (to grant asylum), 'einen Wunsch gewähren' (to grant a wish), or 'Einblick gewähren' (to provide insight).
Der König gewährte dem Bittsteller eine Audienz.
The king granted the petitioner an audience.
In the meaning of 'not to interfere', 'gewähren' (to grant) is always used in the fixed expression 'jemanden gewähren lassen' (to let someone be / do as they please). Here, 'gewähren' does not stand alone.
Er wollte die Wand lila streichen, also habe ich ihn einfach gewähren lassen.
He wanted to paint the wall purple, so I simply let him be.
to give
Geben can generally express that someone receives an opportunity or permission. Gewähren sounds more formal and emphasizes that something is granted or allowed in response to a request. Gewähren is a better fit for official approvals and fixed expressions such as „Zugang gewähren“ (to grant access).
Die Behörde gewährt mir auf Antrag eine zusätzliche Woche für die Abgabe.
The authorities grant me an extra week to submit it upon request.
Die Lehrerin gibt mir eine zusätzliche Woche für die Aufgabe.
The teacher gives me an extra week to complete the assignment.
