As an English teacher, I’ve often worked with learners who struggle to use the words giving and given correctly. Both share the same root verb “give,” but they play very different roles in sentences. Mastering their use in writing and speaking takes time, but a good guide can help.
The nuances come from understanding the rules, the forms, and the small but important differences in action. Giving acts like a present participle in active settings, while given is the passive past form, often tied to structures that show something has been done.
Building confidence in communication with these forms means consistent practice—something I’ve emphasized in teaching both non-native and native speakers. It’s one of those tricky topics where explaining the difference clearly requires both grammatical knowledge and sensitivity to how fluent students think.
From my experience, confused learners respond best to practical, real-life examples—like a meeting presentation that is happening now versus an award that occurred in the past. In my grammar classes, I stress the importance of spotting similar forms that function differently in a sentence.
Once you recognize these patterns in different contexts, the distinctions feel like second nature. I’ve seen solid progress when we use hands-on exercises without hesitation, engaging readers and allowing the influence of immediate feedback to create permanent learning habits. Even unconventional tools—like a machine working with unusual material—can illustrate how ongoing and completed actions differ, making the theory not only simple but unforgettable.
Why “Giving” vs. “Given” Causes Confusion
Both “giving” and “given” relate to the act of transferring something, whether it’s an object, an idea, or a favor. The problem is that they appear in different grammar structures.
- Giving is often part of continuous tenses and can also function as a gerund or adjective.
- Given is usually the past participle of “give” but also works as an adjective or preposition.
The tricky part? Many sentences can be rewritten in ways that make either form look “possible” — until you look closer at the tense, meaning, and grammar role.
Grammar Basics: Where “Giving” and “Given” Fit in English
Before we dive into the differences, let’s place them in the grammar family tree.
| Word | Part of Speech | Main Function | Example Sentence |
| Giving | Present participle / gerund | Shows continuous action or acts as a noun | “I am giving my full attention.” |
| Given | Past participle / adjective / preposition | Used in perfect tenses, passive voice, or as a condition marker | “He has given great advice.” / “Given the weather, we stayed inside.” |
Quick takeaway: If the action is ongoing, “giving” is your friend. If it’s completed or conditional, “given” steps in.
The Role of “Giving” in English
Continuous Tenses
When you want to show that something is happening now, was happening before, or will be happening in the future, “giving” works inside continuous tenses.
- Present continuous: “I am giving a lecture.”
(Action happening at the moment of speaking.) - Past continuous: “She was giving a tour when the fire alarm went off.”
(Action happening over a period in the past.) - Future continuous: “By this time next week, we will be giving our final presentations.”
(Action that will be happening at a certain point in the future.)
Tip: Continuous tenses often use a form of “be” + giving.
Perfect Continuous Forms
Sometimes, you need to stress duration — how long something has been happening.
- Present perfect continuous: “They have been giving free classes for three months.”
- Past perfect continuous: “He had been giving piano lessons before moving abroad.”
Both emphasize that the action was ongoing over a stretch of time.
Extended Uses of “Giving”
“Giving” doesn’t just show action. It can also describe character traits or appear in idiomatic expressions.
Idioms and expressions:
- “Giving it your all” — putting in maximum effort
- “Giving someone a hand” — helping someone
- “Giving ground” — yielding in a debate or competition
Descriptive use:
- “She’s a very giving person.” (Here, “giving” means generous.)
The Role of “Given” in English
As a Past Participle of “Give”
The most straightforward use: perfect tenses.
- Present perfect: “I have given my consent.”
- Past perfect: “They had given all the evidence before the trial.”
Perfect tenses link past actions to present or other past moments.
In Passive Voice
When the focus is on what was received rather than who gave it, “given” works in passive structures.
- “She was given a medal for her bravery.”
- “The project was given to a more experienced team.”
Passive voice shifts attention from the giver to the recipient.
As an Adjective
Sometimes “given” describes a condition or fact.
- “We made the best decision under the given circumstances.”
- “This rule applies to any given day of the year.”
Here, “given” means specific or particular.
As a Preposition
When “given” means considering or taking into account, it behaves like a preposition.
- “Given his qualifications, he’s an ideal candidate.”
- “Given the budget cuts, we’ll need to adjust our plans.”
This form often appears in formal writing and professional contexts.
Side-by-Side Comparison: “Giving” vs. “Given”
Here’s your quick-reference table.
| Feature | Giving | Given |
| Grammar Role | Present participle / gerund | Past participle / adjective / preposition |
| Main Use | Continuous actions, gerunds | Perfect tenses, passive voice, adjectives, conditions |
| Time Focus | Ongoing action | Completed action or condition |
| Example | “She is giving advice.” | “She has given advice.” |
Alternative Meanings and Nuances
Both words can step outside strict grammar rules in certain contexts.
- Giving (personality): “A giving nature is valued in community work.”
- Given (conditional): “Given that you’re new here, we’ll explain the process in detail.”
Think of “giving” as active generosity, while “given” is a stated fact or condition.
Practical Usage Tips
- Check the time frame: Is the action ongoing? Use “giving.” Is it finished? Use “given.”
- Watch the grammar structure: Continuous = “giving,” perfect/passive/condition = “given.”
- Look for clues: Words like am, was, have been often signal “giving,” while have, had, was before “given” are strong indicators.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
- Mistake: “I have been given my time to help.”
Fix: “I have been giving my time to help.” - Mistake: “She is given a lecture.” (unless passive is intended)
Fix: “She is giving a lecture.”
Practice Section
Fill-in-the-blanks:
- I am ________ you my honest opinion. (giving)
- He has ________ me plenty of advice. (given)
- We will be ________ feedback after the meeting. (giving)
- ________ her experience, she was hired immediately. (Given)
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between giving and given is more than just memorizing grammar rules—it’s about truly grasping how each form works in real communication. Giving focuses on an action that is ongoing, while given marks something that’s completed.
By recognizing their roles in a sentence and practicing with real-life examples, learners can build confidence in both writing and speaking. Over time, with solid practice, these distinctions will feel like second nature, allowing you to express yourself with accuracy and clarity.
FAQs
Q1: Is “giving” always in the present tense?
Not always—it’s usually used to describe an ongoing action, but it can also appear in different tenses depending on the sentence.
Q2: Can “given” be used in the present?
Yes, but it typically works in passive structures, even in present forms, such as “He is given special tasks.”
Q3: Why do non-native speakers confuse “giving” and “given”?
Because both come from the same root verb “give” and share similar forms, making them easy to mix up without practice.
Q4: How can I practice using them correctly?
Try creating sentences in pairs—one with giving and one with given—to see the differences in context.
Q5: Are there exceptions to these rules?
While the main rules apply in most cases, idiomatic expressions or stylistic choices in writing may bend them slightly.
