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A SHORT LESSON TO START
One exchange, two verbs: borrow and lend
You borrow an item when someone lets you use it temporarily. The person who gives it to you lends it. Both verbs suggest that the item will be returned.
Imagine that Maya has an umbrella and Leo needs it. Leo borrows the umbrella from Maya. Maya lends the umbrella to Leo. The item moves in the same direction; the subject of the sentence changes.
“Could I borrow your umbrella?” and “Could you lend me your umbrella?” ask for the same thing. Add a return time to make the request useful: “Could I borrow it until tomorrow?”
Try it: Yesterday, my friend ___ me a charger. Borrowed or lent?
Lent. Your friend provided the charger. From your point of view, you borrowed it from your friend. Lend has the irregular past form lent.
Build a sentence, step by step
Read an explanation, try the examples, and reveal each answer when you are ready. These lessons are available without an account.
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