English learners and even native speakers often stumble over the difference between “giving” and “given.” While the two words come from the same root verb, give, they play very different roles in grammar, writing, and speech.
This guide dives deep into their meanings, functions, and real-life applications so you can use them naturally, confidently, and correctly in any context.
Understanding the Difference Between “Giving” and “Given”
The root verb give carries the idea of transferring something—an object, an idea, or even a favor—from one person to another.
- Giving → present participle (used for actions in progress, ongoing situations, or gerund forms).
- Given → past participle (used for completed actions, passive voice, and also as an adjective).
👉 Think of giving as something happening now or continuously, and given as something already completed, offered, or predetermined.
The Root Verb “Give” and Its Role in English Grammar
The word give itself is versatile and appears in countless expressions. It’s the base form of the verb, used in:
- Simple present: I give her advice every week.
- Simple past: He gave me a book yesterday.
- Future: We will give them support tomorrow.
This root connects directly to giving and given, shaping how they function across different tenses and grammatical structures.
“Giving” as Present Participle: Ongoing Actions Explained
“Giving” describes an action in progress. It’s often paired with auxiliary verbs (am, is, are, was, were).
Examples:
- She is giving a lecture right now.
- They were giving donations during the event.
It also acts as a gerund (verb form functioning as a noun):
- Giving to charity brings people joy.
- His constant giving impressed the community.
“Given” as Past Participle: Completed Actions and Their Impact
“Given” signals an action completed or something bestowed/handed over.
Examples:
- He has given me valuable advice.
- The award was given to the winner.
It’s also used as an adjective to describe conditions or assumptions:
- Under the given circumstances, we had to postpone the meeting.
- Every given day is a chance to improve.
Using “Giving” in Present Continuous and Progressive Tenses
“Giving” makes speech dynamic, showing continuity:
- Present Continuous: She is giving her final presentation.
- Past Continuous: They were giving instructions when the alarm went off.
- Future Continuous: We will be giving feedback tomorrow.
👉 Use “giving” when the focus is on the process of the action, not the result.
How “Given” Functions in Present, Past, and Perfect Tenses
“Given” usually pairs with have, has, or had to form perfect tenses:
- Present Perfect: She has given her best effort.
- Past Perfect: They had given us clear instructions.
- Future Perfect: By next week, he will have given his last seminar.
It emphasizes the completion of an action.
Real-Life Examples of “Giving” vs. “Given” in Daily Speech
| Context | Example with “Giving” | Example with “Given” |
| Charity | She is giving food to the homeless. | The food was given to the homeless yesterday. |
| Workplace | Our manager is giving us new flexibility. | Employees were given extra leave days. |
| Education | The teacher is giving a grammar lesson. | The exam was given last week. |
| Daily Life | He is giving me a ride. | I’ve been given a ride before. |
Tables Comparing Grammar Structures of “Giving” and “Given”
| Form | Usage | Example |
| Giving | Present participle, gerund | She is giving a speech. |
| Given | Past participle, adjective | The prize was given to him. |
| Giving | Emphasizes ongoing process | He kept giving advice. |
| Given | Completed action or condition | Under the given rules, you can’t proceed. |
The Role of “Giving” in Active Voice vs. Passive Structures with “Given”
- Active voice with “giving”:
- The coach is giving players instructions.
- The coach is giving players instructions.
- Passive voice with “given”:
- Instructions were given to the players.
- Instructions were given to the players.
👉 Active structures highlight the doer (giver), while passive ones focus on the recipient.
Using “Given” as an Adjective: Describing Conditions and Context
“Given” works as an adjective when describing a specific condition or fact.
- In any given situation, honesty matters.
- At a given time, we’ll make the announcement.
Here, “given” means specified, fixed, or assumed.
Common Mistakes and Confusing Uses of “Giving” and “Given”
- ❌ Incorrect: He was given the speech yesterday.
- ✅ Correct: He was giving the speech yesterday.
- ❌ Incorrect: She is given food to charity.
- ✅ Correct: She is giving food to charity.
👉 Rule of thumb: use “giving” when something is ongoing, “given” when it’s already done.
The Importance of Context: When to Choose “Giving” or “Given”
- Formal writing prefers “given” when describing conditions:
- “Given the evidence, the jury reached a verdict.”
- “Given the evidence, the jury reached a verdict.”
- Everyday speech favors “giving” when describing actions in progress:
- “I’m giving my friend a call.”
- “I’m giving my friend a call.”
👉 Always consider time, tone, and purpose when choosing between the two.
Idioms, Expressions, and Sayings with “Giving” and “Given”
- Giving:
- Giving it your all.
- Giving someone the benefit of the doubt.
- Giving it your all.
- Given:
- Given the chance.
- Given the circumstances.
- Given the chance.
These idioms highlight how naturally the words slip into English conversation.
“Giving” in Professional and Academic Settings
- Teachers are giving lessons every day.
- Companies are giving employees flexible work policies.
- Researchers are giving presentations at conferences.
👉 “Giving” emphasizes delivery and performance.
“Given” in Formal Writing, Reports, and Presentations
- “Given the data, climate change is undeniable.”
- “The report was given to the staff yesterday.”
In academic and legal contexts, “given” adds authority and precision.
The Nuances of “Giving” in Generosity, Charity, and Everyday Life
Charity and kindness are often expressed with giving:
- Giving money to the poor.
- Giving food to the homeless.
- Giving time to community service.
👉 It reflects continuous generosity and human connection.
“Given” in Legal, Academic, and Scientific Usage
- “Given the patient’s condition, a vaccine was administered.”
- “Given the facts, the decision was clear.”
In such contexts, “given” acts like evidence or assumption markers.
How Teachers and Learners Can Master “Giving” and “Given”
- Practice fill-in-the-blanks exercises.
- Spot whether the sentence needs action-in-progress or a completed action.
- Check if the structure is active or passive.
👉 Consistent practice leads to fluency and accuracy.
Grammar Tips, Mnemonics, and Memory Tricks to Avoid Errors
- Mnemonic: “Giving = going” → action happening now.
- Mnemonic: “Given = gone” → action already done.
Example:
- “She is giving a lecture.” (ongoing)
- “She has given a lecture.” (completed)
Using “Giving” and “Given” in Conditional Sentences and Special Structures
- First conditional: If she is giving a talk tomorrow, I’ll attend.
- Second conditional: If he had given me advice, I’d have avoided mistakes.
- Third conditional: If they had given more time, the outcome would differ.
Synonyms and Alternatives: Words That Replace “Giving” and “Given”
| Word | Alternative | Example |
| Giving | Offering | She is offering her help. |
| Giving | Granting | He is granting permission. |
| Given | Bestowed | The medal was bestowed on the winner. |
| Given | Provided | He was provided clear instructions. |
Etymology and History of “Give,” “Giving,” and “Given”
- Originates from Old English “giefan” meaning “to bestow, hand over.”
- Related to German “geben” and Dutch “geven.”
- “Given” began to be used as an adjective in the 14th century.
👉 The history shows its strong ties to generosity, obligation, and duty.
Spotting Subtle Differences in Style, Tone, and Register
- Giving → conversational, informal, action-oriented.
- Given → formal, academic, condition-oriented.
👉 Use “giving” in daily conversations, and “given” in professional or academic texts.
Google Ngram Trends: Popularity of “Giving” vs. “Given” Over Time
Studies of Google Ngram reveal:
- “Given” dominates in formal writing and reports.
- “Giving” appears more in modern conversation and narratives.
Quick Reference Tables for Writers, Students, and English Learners
| Situation | Use “Giving” | Use “Given” |
| Ongoing action | ✔️ | ✖️ |
| Completed action | ✖️ | ✔️ |
| Adjective (condition) | ✖️ | ✔️ |
| Active voice | ✔️ | ✖️ |
| Passive voice | ✖️ | ✔️ |
| Gerund (noun form) | ✔️ | ✖️ |
FAQs
Q1: Is “giving” only used in continuous tense?
No. It can also be a gerund, acting as a noun: “Giving is caring.”
Q2: Can “given” replace “provided”?
Yes, in many contexts: “You were given instructions” = “You were provided instructions.”
Q3: What’s the biggest mistake learners make?
Mixing them in active vs. passive voice. Remember: giving = active, given = passive/completed.
Q4: Is “given” always past tense?
Not exactly. It’s a past participle, used with perfect tenses and as an adjective.
Q5: Which is more common in everyday life?
“Giving” is more frequent in spoken English, while “given” dominates written and formal contexts.
Conclusion
Mastering the difference between “giving” and “given” is about more than just grammar—it’s about clarity, confidence, and effective communication. Use giving when describing actions in progress, generosity, or ongoing efforts. Use given for completed actions, formal conditions, or when emphasizing the result rather than the process.
👉 In short: Giving = action in motion. Given = action completed.
