QuickenBrain

Borrow vs. lend

Choosing wordsRule 7 of 7

The rule

"Borrow" means to take something for a while: "I borrowed his charger". "Lend" means to give something for a while: "he lent me his charger". Think of the direction: borrow brings it to you, lend sends it away.

Wrong and right

  1. Wrong Can you borrow me your pen?

    Right Can you lend me your pen?

  2. Wrong I lent his bike for the weekend.

    Right I borrowed his bike for the weekend.

  3. Wrong She borrowed me twenty dollars for lunch.

    Right She lent me twenty dollars for lunch.

  4. Wrong Can I lend your phone for a minute?

    Right Can I borrow your phone for a minute?

  5. Wrong The bank borrowed us money for the house.

    Right The bank lent us money for the house.