Giving or Given? When to Use Each (With Examples)

Christopher

Understanding the use of “giving” and “given” can significantly improve your English grammar skills.

These two forms of the verb “give” are used in various contexts, tenses, and grammatical structures, and understanding their correct usage is crucial for clear and effective communication.

“Giving” shows ongoing action or acts as a noun, while “given” reflects completion, being assigned, or considered in context—master these for polished communication!

This comprehensive guide will delve into the distinctions, provide practical examples, and offer tips to help you remember when to use “giving” and “given.”

Quick Guide: Giving vs Given

Aspect“Giving”“Given”
FormPresent participle/gerundPast participle/adjective/preposition
UsageOngoing action or nounCompleted action, assigned, or considered
Example Sentence“She is giving her best effort.”“He was given an award for excellence.”

Understanding “Giving” and “Given” in English Grammar

Definition and Basic Differences

“Giving” is the present participle form of the verb “give.”

It’s often used in continuous tenses and as a gerund (a verb acting as a noun). It represents the act of providing something to someone.

“Given” is the past participle form of “give.” It can function as an adjective, a preposition, or part of passive and perfect tense constructions.

It implies that something has been provided or assigned.

The Role of “Giving” in Continuous Tenses

Present Continuous Usage of “Giving”

The present continuous tense describes actions that are currently happening or ongoing. “Giving” is used in this tense to indicate that the action of giving is in progress.

Examples:

  • I am giving a presentation right now.
  • She is giving her time to volunteer work.
  • They are giving out free samples at the event.
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Utilizing “Giving” in Past and Perfect Continuous Forms

The past continuous tense describes actions that were ongoing in the past. The perfect continuous tenses (present perfect continuous and past perfect continuous) describe actions that were ongoing and have relevance to the present or were completed before another action in the past.

Examples of Past Continuous:

  • I was giving a speech when the power went out.
  • They were giving instructions when the alarm sounded.

Examples of Present Perfect Continuous:

  • I have been giving piano lessons for ten years.
  • She has been giving it her all in training sessions.

Examples of Past Perfect Continuous:

  • I had been giving him advice before he made the decision.
  • They had been giving the same feedback repeatedly.

Expanding the Usage of “Given”

“Given” as an Adjective

When used as an adjective, “given” describes something that is specified or assigned. It’s often used to provide additional information about a noun.

Examples:

  • She is well-known in her given field.
  • At any given time, there are numerous projects underway.
  • The results were analyzed under given conditions.

“Given” as a Preposition

As a preposition, “given” means “considering” or “taking into account.”

Examples:

  • Given the circumstances, we should postpone the meeting.
  • Given his experience, he was the best candidate for the job.
  • The decision was made, given the available information.

“Given” in Perfect Tenses and Passive Voice

Examples in Present Perfect and Past Perfect Tenses

The perfect tenses use “have” or “had” with the past participle “given” to indicate actions that are completed.

Examples of Present Perfect:

  • She has given many lectures on the topic.
  • We have given our consent to the proposal.
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Examples of Past Perfect:

  • By the time we arrived, he had given up hope.
  • They had given the instructions before we started.

Passive Voice Construction

In the passive voice, the focus is on the action rather than the subject performing the action. “Given” is used with a form of “to be” to create the passive construction.

Examples:

  • The award was given to the most deserving candidate.
  • Instructions will be given to all participants.
  • The project had been given to a new team.

Alternative Meanings and Uses of “Giving” and “Given”

Idiomatic Expressions

Both “giving” and “given” are used in various idiomatic expressions.

Examples:

  • Giving: Giving it your best shot, giving up the ghost, giving someone a hard time.
  • Given: A given (something assumed or understood), taken as a given, given the go-ahead.

Colloquial Usage

In informal speech, these forms can be found in everyday conversations.

Examples:

  • She’s always giving me advice, whether I ask for it or not.
  • Given that he’s new, he’s doing pretty well.

Other Contextual Uses

In specialized fields like legal or academic writing, “given” can have specific applications.

Examples:

  • Legal: Given the evidence, the verdict was clear.
  • Academic: The theory holds true, given the data presented.

Practical Tips to Remember When to Use “Giving” vs. “Given”

Memory Aids and Mnemonics

  • For “Giving”: Remember it’s ongoing. If the action is happening now or continuously, use “giving.”
  • For “Given”: Think of it as completed or assigned. If the action is completed or you’re assigning something, use “given.”

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Common Mistakes:

  • Confusing “giving” and “given” in passive constructions.
  • Misusing “given” as an adjective when it should be a verb form.
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Corrected Examples:

  • Incorrect: He is given a speech.
    • Correct: He is giving a speech.
  • Incorrect: I have been giving permission.
    • Correct: I have given permission.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks with “giving” or “given”:

  1. She is ______ her best in every task.
  2. He has ______ his approval for the project.
  3. We were ______ presentations all day yesterday.
  4. ______ the weather, the event will be held indoors.

Answers:

  1. giving
  2. given
  3. giving
  4. Given

Conclusion

Summary of Key Points

Understanding the difference between “giving” and “given” is essential for proper grammar usage. “Giving” is used in continuous tenses and as a gerund, while “given” functions as a past participle, adjective, and preposition. Correct usage enhances clarity and precision in writing and speech.

Final Thoughts

Mastering these distinctions takes practice, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can confidently use “giving” and “given” correctly in various contexts.

Call to Action

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Additional Resources

Links to Further Reading

  • Grammarly Blog on Continuous Tenses
  • Perfect Tenses Explained

Downloadable Content

  • Cheat Sheet: Download our quick reference guide on “giving” vs. “given”.

Interactive Quiz

  • Test Your Knowledge: Take our online quiz to practice using “giving” and “given”.

References

  • Citations: Properly cited sources from reputable grammar guides and language websites.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to differentiate between “giving” and “given” with ease and use them correctly in your writing and speech. Happy learning!

jessica-thompson

About the author

As an experienced English teacher, I’m Jessica Thompson, here to make grammar and vocabulary simple and fun. Join me on TalkSpeaker as we explore the language together, one lesson at a time!

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