Confusing Words
Borrow vs Lend
Borrow means to receive and use something for a short time. Lend means to give something to someone for a short time.
Quick Answer
If you receive something temporarily and will return it later, you borrow it. If you give something temporarily and expect it back, you lend it.
Core Difference
Borrow is from the receiver's point of view. Lend is from the giver's point of view.
Simple Explanation
Borrow and lend describe the same temporary exchange, but from different sides. The person who gets the item borrows it. The person who gives the item lends it. You can borrow a book from a friend. Your friend can lend a book to you. A common mistake is to use borrow when asking someone to give you something. In that case, use lend: Could you lend me your pen?
Word Details
borrow
verb
to take and use something for a short time, then return it
lend
verb
to give something to someone for a short time and expect it back
Examples
borrow
Can I borrow your charger for an hour?
I receive and use it.
borrow
She borrowed a book from the library.
From shows the source.
borrow
I never borrow money from coworkers.
The speaker receives money.
lend
Could you lend me your pen?
You give the pen to me.
lend
The bank agreed to lend money to the company.
The bank gives money temporarily.
lend
I lent my bike to my brother yesterday.
The speaker gave the bike temporarily.
Practice Quiz
Choose one answer. Mistakes are saved for review.
1. Can I ___ your umbrella and give it back tomorrow?
2. Could you ___ me five dollars?
3. I ___ my phone to Tom yesterday.
4. She ___ a dictionary from her teacher.
5. The bank will ___ money to the company.
Related Word Pairs
Bring vs Take
Use 'bring' for movement toward the speaker, and 'take' for movement away.
Study this pairSay vs Tell
Use say when you focus on the words or message. Use tell when you give information to a person.
Study this pairMake vs Do
Use make when you create, produce, or cause something. Use do for tasks, activities, work, and routines.
Study this pair