It is necessary that a certain thing be brought into the gift, or made the subject of the conveyance.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) Every gift or conveyance must identify a definite thing as its subject — an attempt to give or convey something uncertain or indeterminate is void for want of a subject.

Where this applies

• A will that says "I leave my things to my friend" fails because no specific property is identified as the subject of the gift.
• A deed that purports to convey "some of my land" without specifying which parcel is void for uncertainty.
• A donor promises to give "one of my cars" to her nephew but never identifies which car, so the gift cannot be perfected.