When you borrow an object, you expect to give it back.
The idea
Use borrow for the receiver: borrow a book from the library. Use lend for the giver: lend me a pen. The regular past of borrow is borrowed; the past of lend is lent.
Examples
- I borrow books from the library.
- She borrowed my pen yesterday.
- Can I borrow your charger?
- He lent me a notebook.
- Please return the book tomorrow.
- We ask before we borrow things.
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Watch out
Do not say you lend an object when you are asking to take and return it. The receiver borrows; the giver lends.
Try it yourself
Ask to receive the pen temporarily. Can I ___ your pen? (borrow / lend)
Show answer or example answer
borrow
borrow describes receiving the pen temporarily.
Ask someone to give you the pen temporarily. Can you ___ me your pen? (lend / borrow)
Show answer or example answer
lend
lend describes giving the pen temporarily.
Choose the regular past form. Yesterday I ___ a book. (borrowed / borrow)
Show answer or example answer
borrowed
borrowed is the regular past of borrow.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Ask to receive the pen temporarily. Can I ___ your pen? (borrow / lend)
Ask someone to give you the pen temporarily. Can you ___ me your pen? (lend / borrow)
Choose the regular past form. Yesterday I ___ a book. (borrowed / borrow)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Ask to borrow an item and say when you will return it.