EVERYDAY ENGLISH · A2 PRACTICE

Borrow or lend? Ask for what you need

When someone lets you use something temporarily, English describes the exchange with two different verbs. This lesson helps you choose the right one, ask politely, and explain when you will return the item.

1. Look at who receives the item

Imagine that Maya has a spare umbrella. Leo needs it until tomorrow. Leo borrows the umbrella from Maya. Maya lends the umbrella to Leo. The umbrella moves in one direction, but the verb changes with the subject of the sentence.

Borrow something from someone
The subject receives the item: “Leo borrows an umbrella from Maya.”
Lend something to someone
The subject provides the item: “Maya lends an umbrella to Leo.”
Lend someone something
You can also put the person first: “Maya lends Leo an umbrella.” This has the same meaning.

Both verbs suggest that the item will be returned. If Maya gives Leo the umbrella to keep, use give instead. If Leo pays to use an umbrella, a word such as rent may fit the situation better.

2. Make a polite request

Use Can I borrow…? when you are the person receiving the item. Use Can you lend me…? when you ask the other person to provide it. “Could” is a more tentative alternative to “can”; it does not refer to the past in these requests.

Leo: Could I borrow your umbrella until tomorrow?

Maya: Sure. Please bring it back before nine.

Leo: Thanks. I’ll return it in the morning.

A useful request includes the item and a return time: “Could you lend me your charger for ten minutes?” The other person can agree, set a condition, or decline: “Sorry, I need it myself.” A refusal does not require a complicated explanation.

Compare “Can I borrow your pen?” with “Can you borrow a pen?” The second sentence asks whether the other person can obtain a pen from somebody else. It does not directly ask them to give you their own pen.

3. Talk about yesterday

The past form of borrow is borrowed. The past form of lend is lent, not “lended.” Keep the direction of the exchange the same:

  • “I borrowed a dictionary from my neighbour yesterday.” I received it.
  • “My neighbour lent me a dictionary yesterday.” My neighbour provided it.
  • “I returned the dictionary this morning.” I gave it back.

After “did” or “didn’t,” use the base form: “Did you lend him the dictionary?” and “I didn’t borrow it.” Avoid “Did you lent…?” because “did” already marks the past tense.

4. Check common mistakes

  • “Can you borrow me a pen?” → “Can you lend me a pen?” In standard English, use lend when the subject provides the item.
  • “I borrowed it to Maya.” → “I lent it to Maya.” If Maya received it from you, you lent it to her.
  • “I lent a book from Leo.” → “I borrowed a book from Leo.” If you received the book, borrow is the verb you need.

Rather than memorising each correction, draw a small arrow from the owner to the receiver. Then identify the subject. Owner as subject: lend. Receiver as subject: borrow.

5. Try it yourself

Choose a form of borrow or lend. Say each complete sentence before opening the answers.

  1. Could I ___ your phone for a moment?
  2. Nina ___ me her bicycle yesterday.
  3. I ___ this jacket from my sister last weekend.
  4. Could you ___ your notes to Sam?
  5. Did you ___ my charger yesterday?
Check the answers and explanations
  1. borrow — I receive the phone.
  2. lent — Nina provides the bicycle; yesterday calls for the past form.
  3. borrowed — I received the jacket from my sister in the past.
  4. lend — you provide the notes to Sam.
  5. borrow — you receive my charger; after did, use the base form.

Make your own exchange

Choose an item you might need today: a pen, a charger, a bicycle, or a book. Write a request with a return time. Then write a reply and a sentence describing the exchange yesterday.

See a possible response

“Could I borrow your book until Friday?” “Of course. Please keep it dry.” “I borrowed a book from my friend yesterday. My friend lent it to me until Friday.”

Your item and return time can be different. Check that borrow points to the receiver, lend points to the provider, and the past forms match the time.

Continue practising

In the classroom, open Categories to find borrow, lend, and return. Listen to each word, then say a sentence about your own life. On your next visit, try writing the requests again before reading this lesson.

Open vocabulary search →