Understanding when to use “giving” versus “given” is one of the essential components of mastering English grammar.
While these two words might seem similar at first glance, they serve different purposes and are used in distinct grammatical contexts.
Whether you are crafting formal documents, sending a casual email, or engaging in everyday conversations, knowing how and when to use these terms correctly is vital for clear communication.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the differences between “giving” and “given.” We’ll break down the grammar rules, provide examples, and give you practical tips on how to use each one in the right context.
By the end of this guide, you will be able to confidently choose between “giving” and “given” in your writing and speaking.
Understanding the Basics of Verb Forms
Before diving into the specifics of “giving” vs. “given,” it’s important to first understand the basic verb forms in English.
English verbs change their form depending on their tense, aspect, and other grammatical factors. In the case of “give,” we have several forms that can be used in different situations:
- Base form: give
- Past tense: gave
- Past participle: given
- Present participle/gerund: giving
Each form serves a different grammatical purpose. While “giving” and “given” come from the same base verb, they are used in different ways. Understanding these forms will help you choose the right one when writing or speaking.
What Does “Giving” Mean?
Definition and Grammatical Role
“Giving” is the present participle and gerund of the verb “give.” As a present participle, it describes an action that is ongoing. As a gerund, it functions as a noun, representing the action of the verb.
In continuous tenses, “giving” is used to describe an action that is happening in the present, was happening in the past, or will be happening in the future. Additionally, “giving” can act as a noun to refer to the concept of the action itself.
Examples of “Giving” in Action:
- Present continuous: “She is giving a presentation right now.”
- Past continuous: “They were giving their opinions during the meeting.”
- Future continuous: “I will be giving a speech at the conference.”
- Gerund (noun): “Giving is better than receiving.”
When to Use “Giving”
Here are some common situations where “giving” is used:
- In Continuous Tenses: Use “giving” when describing an action that is happening right now or was happening in the past.
- Example: “She is giving a speech.”
- Example: “They were giving their feedback during the meeting.”
- Example: “She is giving a speech.”
- As a Gerund (Noun): Use “giving” as a noun to represent the act of giving.
- Example: “Giving is an essential part of charity.”
- Example: “Giving back to the community makes me feel fulfilled.”
- Example: “Giving is an essential part of charity.”
- After Certain Verbs: Some verbs require the gerund form of another verb. These include verbs like “enjoy,” “suggest,” and “consider.”
- Example: “He enjoys giving back to others.”
- Example: “She suggested giving him a gift.”
- Example: “He enjoys giving back to others.”
- In Prepositional Phrases: You may also use “giving” in sentences where it follows prepositions.
- Example: “After giving her the instructions, we left.”
- Example: “Before giving your presentation, practice a few times.”
- Example: “After giving her the instructions, we left.”
What Does “Given” Mean?
Definition and Grammatical Role
“Given” is the past participle form of the verb “give.” Past participles are used to describe actions that have been completed in relation to a specific point in time, typically forming part of perfect tenses or passive voice constructions.
Additionally, “given” can function as an adjective to describe a condition or assumption, often expressing something that has already been considered or acknowledged.
Examples of “Given” in Action:
- Present perfect tense: “He has given all of his time to charity.”
- Past perfect tense: “By the time we arrived, they had already given their speeches.”
- Passive voice: “The prize was given to the best student.”
- Adjective usage: “Given the circumstances, we should proceed with caution.”
When to Use “Given”
“Given” is commonly used in the following scenarios:
- In Perfect Tenses: Use “given” when talking about actions that were completed at some point in the past but still have relevance to the present.
- Example: “I have given all I could.”
- Example: “She has given him a lot of support over the years.”
- Example: “I have given all I could.”
- In Passive Voice: “Given” is often used in passive voice sentences to focus on the action rather than the subject.
- Example: “The award was given to the most deserving candidate.”
- Example: “The instructions were given to the new employee.”
- Example: “The award was given to the most deserving candidate.”
- As an Adjective: Use “given” as an adjective to express assumptions or conditions based on a known situation.
- Example: “Given the weather conditions, we postponed the event.”
- Example: “Given the circumstances, she made the best decision.”
- Example: “Given the weather conditions, we postponed the event.”
- In Conditional Sentences: “Given” is often used in conditional or hypothetical statements.
- Example: “Given the situation, I would have done the same.”
- Example: “Given that you’re new here, let me show you around.”
- Example: “Given the situation, I would have done the same.”
Key Differences Between “Giving” and “Given”
Now that we’ve covered the definitions and uses of both “giving” and “given,” let’s dive deeper into the key differences between them:
| Feature | Giving | Given |
| Type | Present participle / Gerund | Past participle |
| Usage | Ongoing actions, gerund (noun) | Perfect tenses, passive voice, adjective |
| Tense/Aspect | Continuous aspect | Perfect aspect, passive voice, conditionals |
| Example (sentence) | “She is giving her all.” | “She has given her all.” |
Grammatical Structures and Their Preferred Forms
Understanding the correct contexts for “giving” and “given” will help you avoid errors in sentence construction. Let’s break down a few key grammatical structures:
“Giving” in Continuous Tenses
- Present continuous: “They are giving a presentation right now.”
- Past continuous: “We were giving updates during the meeting.”
- Future continuous: “He will be giving a lecture next week.”
“Given” in Perfect Tenses
- Present perfect: “She has given her time to charity.”
- Past perfect: “By the time we arrived, they had already given their speeches.”
- Future perfect: “By next week, they will have given their feedback.”
“Given” in Passive Voice
- “The award was given to the best student.”
- “The instructions were given clearly to everyone.”
“Given” as an Adjective
- “Given the circumstances, we decided to leave early.”
- “Given his experience, he’s the right person for the job.”
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Misusing “Giving” Instead of “Given”
A common mistake is using “giving” when “given” should be used. For instance:
- Incorrect: “She has been giving a presentation for an hour.”
- Correct: “She has been given a presentation task for an hour.”
In contrast, people sometimes incorrectly use “given” when they should use “giving.”
- Incorrect: “She is given a presentation right now.”
- Correct: “She is giving a presentation right now.”
Mixing Up Tenses
The use of “giving” in perfect tenses or “given” in continuous tenses is a frequent mistake. In perfect tenses, use “given” to indicate something has already been completed:
- Incorrect: “She is given a new role every year.”
- Correct: “She has been given a new role every year.”
Real-Life Use Cases
In Professional or Academic Writing
In more formal settings, such as professional or academic writing, “given” is often preferred in passive voice constructions or conditional clauses.
- Passive voice: “The results were given to the department heads for review.”
- Conditional clause: “Given that the project is on schedule, we can proceed.”
In Everyday Conversations
In daily communication, “giving” is frequently used to describe ongoing actions or to refer to the act of giving itself.
- “She’s giving a lecture on this topic tomorrow.”
- “I enjoy giving gifts to friends and family.”
In Technical or Scientific Writing
In technical or scientific contexts, “given” is commonly used to state assumptions or conditions.
- “Given the data collected, we can infer that the experiment was successful.”
- “Given the parameters, the model predicts accurate results.”
Quick Comparison Table: Giving vs. Given
| Aspect | Giving | Given |
| Part of Speech | Present participle / Gerund | Past participle |
| Function | Describes ongoing actions or the act itself | Describes completed actions, passive constructions, or conditions |
| Tense | Continuous actions | Perfect, passive, or conditional |
| Examples | “She is giving a presentation.” | “She has been given a promotion.” |
Tips to Remember the Difference
- Continuous or Perfect? If you’re talking about something happening right now, choose giving. If you’re referring to something that has already happened, given is your choice.
- Focus on Action: “Giving” refers to something you are doing right now or continuously. “Given” refers to something already done or assumed.
- Use Passive Voice Correctly: When the subject is the recipient of the action rather than the doer, use given.
4.Check for Helping Verbs: If your sentence has “is,” “was,” “are,” or “will be” and is describing an ongoing activity, it’s likely that “giving” is the correct form. If your sentence has “has,” “had,” or “have,” then “given” might be right.
Conclusion
The English language can be tricky, especially when it comes to choosing between words like giving and given, which come from the same root verb but serve entirely different grammatical purposes.
By understanding their differences and how each one fits into various sentence structures, you can improve your writing, speak more clearly, and avoid common mistakes.
So, next time you’re stuck between giving and given, just pause and ask yourself: Is this something ongoing, or is it already done? That simple question can steer you in the right direction every time.
Whether you’re giving a presentation or have given a lot of thought to this topic, we hope this guide has cleared things up!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About “Giving” and “Given”
What is the main difference between “giving” and “given”?
The key difference lies in their grammatical function:
- “Giving” is a present participle or gerund, used to describe ongoing actions or to act as a noun.
- “Given” is a past participle, used in perfect tenses, passive voice constructions, or as an adjective to express assumptions.
Can “giving” be used as a noun?
Yes. When “giving” functions as a gerund, it acts like a noun.
- Example: “Giving is more rewarding than receiving.”
Is “given” always used in passive voice?
No. “Given” is often used in passive constructions, but it can also be used:
- In perfect tenses: “She has given him advice.”
- As an adjective: “Given the time, we can finish early.”
How do I know when to use “giving”?
Use “giving” when:
- Describing an ongoing action (e.g., “She is giving a lecture.”)
- Using the verb as a noun (e.g., “Giving is caring.”)
- Following certain verbs or prepositions (e.g., “He enjoys giving.”)
Can I say “She has been giving…”?
Yes! That is an example of the present perfect continuous tense.
- Example: “She has been giving presentations all week.”
What does “given” mean in the phrase “Given the situation”?
As the visionary founder and CEO of Globals English, Emma Brooke is dedicated to transforming the way individuals learn and master the English language.