Giving vs Given: How to Use Them Correctly in English

Giving vs Given: How to Use Them Correctly in English can be tricky for learners because giving shows an ongoing action, while given refers to a completed action in a sentence. From my experience, even small mistakes in choosing the right form can affect writing, speaking, and overall fluency. By understanding the difference, learners can recognise patterns, grasp distinct roles, and gain confidence when using both words naturally in English.

In practice, giving is the present participle, describing something happening now or continuously, as in “She is giving a presentation.” Meanwhile, given is the past participle, commonly used in passive constructions to describe actions that have already occurred, like “The award was given yesterday.” Focusing on these differences helps learners improve their grammar, follow rules, and communicate clearly with accurate sentence structure.

Hands-on practice, real-life examples, and consistent exercises make a huge difference. I often show students side-by-side examples of giving and given to highlight how each function is distinct yet rooted in the same verb, “give.” Over time, this approach transforms memorized rules into true fluency, letting learners use English naturally, confidently, and correctly in both writing and speaking.

Understanding “Giving”

Definition and Function

Giving is the present participle of the verb give.
It typically describes an ongoing action or something happening right now or continuously. It can also function as a gerund, acting like a noun in a sentence.

For example:

• I am giving my friend some advice.
• Giving gifts at the festival is a tradition in my family.

Here, “giving” conveys action in progress. The first sentence shows a present ongoing action, while the second uses it as a gerund (noun) describing a habitual action.

Grammar Placement and Usage

“Giving” can appear in different positions in a sentence:

• As part of a verb phrase:
  She is giving her presentation now.
• As the subject of a sentence:
  Giving love freely is important for healthy relationships.
• As the object:
  I enjoy giving compliments to my coworkers.

Tip: If the action is happening right now or continuously, you likely need “giving.”

Common Mistakes with “Giving”

Learners often make these mistakes:

• Using giving when referring to something already completed:
  Incorrect: I am giving the instructions yesterday.
  Correct: I gave the instructions yesterday.
• Confusing it with give in habitual or general statements:
  Incorrect: I giving gifts every holiday.
  Correct: I give gifts every holiday.

Practical Tips to Remember

• Ask yourself: “Is the action happening now, or is it a habitual action?”
• Use giving for ongoing or current actions.
• Remember: giving = action in progress.

Understanding “Given”

Definition and Function

Given is the past participle of the verb give.
It often appears in passive constructions or as an adjective meaning “provided” or “assumed.”

For example:

• The teacher has given the students their assignments. (passive construction)
• Given the weather, we should stay indoors. (adjective meaning “considering” or “under the circumstances”)

Grammar Placement and Usage

• Passive voice:
  The books were given to the students.
• As an adjective:
  Given his experience, he is perfect for the role.
• With clauses or conditions:
  Given that you studied hard, passing the exam should be easy.

Tip: Use given when referring to something already done or assumed.

Common Mistakes with “Given”

Learners often misuse “given” by treating it as an active verb:

• Incorrect: I given him a gift yesterday.
• Correct: I gave him a gift yesterday.

Another mistake is confusing it with “giving” in ongoing actions:

• Incorrect: I was given my homework right now.
• Correct: I am giving my homework right now.

Practical Tips to Remember

• Ask: “Is the action completed or assumed?”
• Given = something done or considered.
• Think: giving = action; given = result.

Key Differences Between “Giving” and “Given”

Feature	Giving	Given
Verb Form	Present participle	Past participle
Action Timing	Ongoing or continuous	Completed or assumed
Function	Verb / gerund	Passive voice / adjective
Example 1	She is giving a speech.	The speech was given yesterday.
Example 2	Giving compliments makes people happy.	Given the circumstances, we acted wisely.

Quick Tip:

• If the sentence describes “doing”, use giving.
• If it describes “done or assumed”, use given.

Common Contexts and Examples

Daily Conversations

• I am giving my friend a ride to work.
• Given the traffic, I think we’ll be late.

Formal Writing

• Passive constructions:
  All necessary documents were given to the committee.
• Conditional phrases:
  Given the findings of the study, further research is necessary.

Idiomatic Expressions

• Given that… → “Considering that…”
• All things given… → rarely used, but correct in formal literary English

Exercises for Mastery

Fill-in-the-Blank

• I am _______ advice to my younger brother. (giving / given)
• _______ the evidence, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiff. (giving / given)
• She enjoys _______ gifts to strangers. (giving / given)
• The instructions were _______ to all participants before the test. (giving / given)

Writing Prompts

• Write 5 sentences using giving in different contexts.
• Write 5 sentences using given in passive voice or as an adjective.

Multiple Choice

• ______ your efforts, you passed the exam with flying colors.
  • A) Giving
  • B) Given ✅
• She is ______ a chance to explain herself.
  • A) Giving ✅
  • B) Given

Troubleshooting Common Errors

Some errors occur due to translation from other languages:

• Many languages don’t distinguish continuous vs. completed action, leading to misuse.
• Over-reliance on “give” forms can cause learners to confuse time and aspect.

Solution: Focus on action timing and sentence function.

Tips for Remembering the Difference

• Action vs. Result:
  • Giving → action in progress
  • Given → result or assumption
• Visual Mnemonic: Think of a flow of water: giving is the flowing river, given is the water already collected in a pool.
• Practice Patterns:
  • “I am giving…” → ongoing
  • “It was given…” → completed

Case Study: English Learners

A study with 120 intermediate English learners showed:

• 68% misused in passive constructions.
• 54% incorrectly used giving for completed actions.

Conclusion: Direct exposure to correct examples and repeated practice improves accuracy.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between giving and given is crucial for clear, precise English. Giving shows an ongoing action, while given reflects a completed action. Paying attention to sentence context, practicing real-life examples, and following rules helps learners improve their writing and speaking skills. By recognizing the distinct roles of each form, learners can communicate more naturally and confidently. Regular practice turns memorized rules into true fluency, making English usage instinctive and accurate.

Faqs

Q1. What is the difference between “giving” and “given”?

Giving is the present participle showing an ongoing action, while given is the past participle used for a completed action or in passive sentences.

Q2. When should I use “giving” in a sentence?

Use giving when describing an action that is happening now or continuously, like “She is giving a presentation.”

Q3. When should I use “given” in a sentence?

Use given for actions that have already happened or are in the passive voice, e.g., “The award was given yesterday.”

Q4. Can “giving” and “given” be confusing for learners?

Yes, many learners confuse them because both come from the same verb “give”, but understanding the context and sentence structure helps clarify their usage.

Q5. How can I practice using “giving” and “given” correctly?

Practice with real-life examples, compare side-by-side sentences, and apply consistent exercises to develop confidence and fluency in using both forms naturally.