Borrow vs Lend: What's the Difference?
Quick Answer
Borrow = TAKE something temporarily (← receive)
Lend = GIVE something temporarily (→ give)
Explanation
BORROW ← (receive)
Take something from someone temporarily
borrow + something + from + person
"Can I borrow your car?"
"I borrowed $20 from my friend."
LEND → (give)
Give something to someone temporarily
lend + person + something
"Can you lend me your car?"
"She lent me $20."
Visual:
Memory tip: Borrow = Bring to me. Lend = Leave with you.
Examples
Common Mistake
Incorrect: Can you borrow me $10?
(You cannot "borrow someone" something)
Correct: Can you lend me $10?
Also correct: Can I borrow $10 from you?
Verb Forms
| Base | Past | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| borrow | borrowed | borrowed |
| lend | lent | lent |
Practice
Fill in with "borrow" or "lend":
"I forgot my umbrella. Could you _____ me yours?"
Show answer
Answer: Could you lend me yours?
"Lend" is correct because you're asking someone to give you something temporarily.
Related Grammar
Follow the direction of the temporary transfer
Borrow describes receiving something temporarily; lend describes giving it temporarily. Use borrow something from someone, lend someone something, or lend something to someone. The past forms are borrowed and lent.
Practise the distinction
May I ___ your pen?
Show answer and explanation
borrow
The speaker wants to receive it temporarily.
Could you ___ me your pen?
Show answer and explanation
lend
The listener is asked to give it temporarily.
Rewrite: Sara lent me her notes.
Show answer and explanation
I borrowed Sara's notes from her.
The same transfer is described from the receiver's viewpoint.