Understanding the difference between giving and given can feel tricky at first, but once you grasp their roles in sentences, everything becomes clearer. Both words stem from the verb “give”, yet they serve entirely different purposes in English grammar. Using them incorrectly can make your writing sound awkward or even confusing. This guide breaks down the nuances, provides practical examples, and equips you with the confidence to use each correctly in everyday writing and speech.
Understanding the Verb “Give”
Before diving into giving and given, it’s crucial to understand the base verb “give.”
- Definition: To freely transfer possession or offer something to someone.
- Forms: give (base), gave (past), given (past participle), giving (present participle/gerund).
Here’s a quick table for clarity:
| Form | Function | Example |
| give | Base verb | I give my friend a book every week. |
| gave | Past simple | She gave her keys to me yesterday. |
| given | Past participle | I have given him all the information. |
| giving | Present participle / gerund | Giving gifts makes her happy. |
Notice how each form has a distinct role. Misusing giving or given is often a matter of confusing tense and sentence structure
What “Giving” Means
Giving is the present participle or gerund form of “give.” It usually indicates:
- An ongoing action
- A general activity
When to Use “Giving”
- As a continuous action (present participle)
- Describes an action happening right now.
- Example: She is giving a speech at the conference.
- Here, “giving” shows that the action is in progress.
- As a subject or object (gerund)
- Functions like a noun.
- Example: Giving is better than receiving.
- In this case, “giving” is the main idea of the sentence.
- After prepositions
- Example: He is interested in giving back to his community.
- Gerunds always follow prepositions.
Quick Tip: If the sentence answers “what is happening?” or “what do I like?”, chances are giving is correct.
What “Given” Means
Given is the past participle form of “give.” It usually appears:
- With perfect tenses (have/has/had)
- In passive constructions
- As an adjective meaning “specified” or “considered”
When to Use “Given”
- In perfect tenses
- Example: I have given him the files you requested.
- Here, “given” shows a completed action with a link to the present.
- In passive voice
- Example: The award was given to the winner by the committee.
- “Given” works with a form of “to be” to show the action was received by someone.
- As an adjective
- Example: Given the circumstances, she did an amazing job.
- In this case, “given” means “considering” or “taking into account.”
Quick Tip: If the sentence involves completion, result, or condition, given is likely the right choice.
Key Differences Between “Giving” and “Given”
Understanding the distinction comes down to action vs. result:
| Feature | Giving | Given |
| Form | Present participle / gerund | Past participle |
| Usage | Continuous action / activity | Completed action / passive voice / adjective |
| Example (action) | She is giving him a gift. | — |
| Example (result) | — | She has given him a gift. |
| Common question | What is happening? | What has already happened / Considering what? |
Remember: Giving = ongoing, Given = completed or considered.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even native speakers mix these up. Here’s a quick guide to avoid errors:
- Using “giving” in perfect tenses incorrectly
- ❌ I am giving him the documents yesterday.
- ✅ I gave him the documents yesterday.
- Using “given” as an ongoing action
- ❌ She is given a gift right now.
- ✅ She is giving a gift right now.
- Confusing adjective use
- ✅ Given the traffic, we should leave early.
- ❌ Giving the traffic, we should leave early.
Pro Tip: Ask yourself, “Is the action happening now, or is it already done or being considered?” That usually clears it up.
Examples in Everyday Writing
Here are practical sentences using giving and given to show the difference in real-life contexts:
Giving Examples
- Giving advice is one of the best ways to help someone.
- He is giving a demonstration of the new software.
- They enjoy giving back to their local community.
Given Examples
- I have given all my old clothes to charity.
- The instructions were given clearly during the meeting.
- Given her experience, she is the perfect candidate for the job.
Notice how giving emphasizes the act itself, while given emphasizes the completion or consideration.
How to Remember: A Simple Trick
Think of giving as “in action” and given as “already done”.
- Giving → the act is happening.
- Given → the act has been done, or it’s treated as a fact.
This mental shortcut works for writing, speaking, and even editing others’ texts.
Exercises to Practice
Try replacing the blanks with giving or given:
- She is ______ a presentation on climate change.
- I have ______ you the keys to the office.
- ______ the weather, we should stay indoors.
- He enjoys ______ advice to his teammates.
- The instructions were ______ to all the participants.
Answer Key:
- giving
- given
- Given
- giving
- given
Advanced Usage of “Given”
Sometimes, “given” appears in more formal or abstract contexts, such as mathematics, logic, or philosophy:
- Given x = 5, calculate y using the formula y = 2x + 3.
- Given the ethical considerations, the decision was postponed.
Here, “given” acts almost like a condition or premise, not as a verb.
Tip: In academic writing, this is a powerful tool to introduce assumptions or context.
Read More: Finger in the Dike – Meaning, Usage & Examples
Table of Quick Reference
| Word | Function | Key Indicators | Example |
| giving | present participle / gerund | Ongoing action, general activity, after prepositions | She is giving a speech. |
| given | past participle / adjective | Completed action, passive voice, considering/condition | I have given him the files. / Given the weather… |
Case Study: Giving vs. Given in Business Emails
Imagine a project manager writing updates to a team:
- ❌ I am given the reports to the client today. → incorrect, it mixes participle and passive.
- ✅ I am giving the reports to the client today. → correct, shows action happening now.
- ✅ I have given the reports to the client. → correct, shows completed action.
In professional communication, confusing these can mislead readers about timing or responsibility.
Conclusion: Mastering the Difference
By now, it should be clear:
- Use giving for ongoing actions or as a noun (gerund).
- Use given for completed actions, passive structures, or as an adjective showing consideration or condition.
With practice, spotting the correct choice becomes instinctive. Tip: Read your sentence aloud. If it sounds like an action in progress → use giving. If it reflects completion or a condition → use given.
Mastering these subtle differences elevates your writing, makes your communication clearer, and prevents embarrassing mistakes in both casual and professional contexts.
