Vocabulary · Free lesson
Borrow or lend? Follow the direction of the item
The same charger moves between the same two people, but the verb changes with the person you make the subject. Start with who is receiving and who is giving.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
Borrow means receive something temporarily, intending to return it. Lend means give something temporarily, expecting it back. If Ava gives Ben her charger for an hour, Ava lends it and Ben borrows it.
Choose the verb from the subject’s side of the exchange.
Ben borrows a charger from Ava: Ben receives it. Ava lends a charger to Ben: Ava gives it temporarily. You can also say Ava lends Ben a charger. In a request, Can I borrow your charger? and Can you lend me your charger? ask for the same exchange from different viewpoints.
One exchange, two viewpoints
Ben borrows a charger from Ava.
Ava lends a charger to Ben.
Ava lends Ben a charger.
From points to the person or place supplying the borrowed item. To points to the receiver after lend plus the item.
Track the people before choosing the pattern
Who receives it?
Ben → borrow
Who gives it temporarily?
Ava → lend
Name the other person
borrow it from Ava / lend it to Ben
Try it now
Keep track of who gives and who receives.
Read all answers and explanations
Ava owns the charger. Ben wants to use it for an hour and return it. Ben asks a question beginning Can I. Which question fits?
Can I borrow your charger?Ben is asking to receive Ava’s charger, so Can I borrow fits. Lend would make Ben the giver; borrow you my charger uses the wrong pattern and ownership.
Ava offers Ben temporary use of her charger. Which sentence matches Ava’s role?
I can lend you my charger.Ava is the temporary giver, so she lends Ben the charger. Lend you my charger uses the person-first pattern.
Ben is the receiver and Ava supplies the charger. Which sentence uses borrow with the correct direction word?
Ben borrows a charger from Ava.Borrow something from someone names the supplier after from. Do not transfer the lend someone something pattern to borrow.
Put it into practice
Repair the request without changing the viewpoint.
You want your friend to let you use their charger temporarily. Keep Can you and the rest of the words; change only the verb.
Can you borrow me your charger?
See a model answer
Can you lend me your charger?
Only the verb changes. Can I borrow your charger? is also a valid request, but it changes the subject and does not meet this particular editing instruction.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Can I borrow and Can you lend both be correct?
Yes. They describe the same requested exchange from different subjects. I borrow means I receive; you lend means you give temporarily.
Can I borrow your charger? / Can you lend me your charger?
What are the past forms?
Borrow becomes borrowed. Lend becomes lent, not lended. The giving and receiving roles stay the same.
Ava lent Ben a charger. Ben borrowed it from Ava.
Take it into your day
Receiver as subject: borrow. Giver as subject: lend. Then check from, to or the two-object pattern.
Your next step · Available on Udemy
Use everyday vocabulary in clearer sentences.
The English Grammar and English Speaking course includes Vocabulary Upgrade, sentence-building and conversation practice in its Small Talk section. Those foundations help you turn useful words into complete exchanges; this free lesson focuses on one confusing pair.
Explore the course English Master Course: English Grammar and English Speaking