Borrow vs lend
Borrow means to take something from someone for a short time and give it back later. Lend means to let someone use something of yours for a short time.
Borrow brings things in to you. Lend lets things go out from you.
borrow verb
To take something from someone for a short time, planning to give it back.
- Can I borrow your pen for a minute?
- She borrowed three books from the library.
lend verb
To let someone use something of yours for a while, expecting to get it back.
- Could you lend me your umbrella?
- He lent his sister fifty dollars last month.
Watch out
- Some speakers use lend to mean borrow. This is nonstandard, and most people think it is a mistake. When you are the one taking something, use borrow.Can I borrow twenty dollars from you until Friday?
- The past form of lend is lent.Yesterday my brother lent me his jacket.
Test yourself
Can you blank me your bike tomorrow?
Show answer
lend. The owner is letting someone else use the bike, so lend is right.
May I blank your phone to make a quick call?
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borrow. The speaker wants to take and use someone else's phone for a short time.
I forgot my wallet, so I had to blank five dollars from Sam.
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borrow. The money comes to the speaker from Sam, so borrow is right.
My aunt offered to blank us her tent for the trip.
Show answer
lend. The tent belongs to the aunt, and she lets us use it.