Giving or Given

Giving or Given: Meaning, Grammar, Examples, and Correct Usage Explained

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Have you ever stopped while writing and wondered whether you should use giving or given? These two words come from the same verb, give, but they serve different purposes in English grammar. Because they look similar, many learners confuse them in conversations, emails, essays, and professional writing.

Understanding the difference between giving and given can improve your speaking and writing skills significantly. Whether you’re learning English as a beginner or refining your grammar for academic or professional purposes, knowing when to use each form correctly is essential.

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In this complete guide, you’ll learn the meaning of giving and given, their grammatical roles, common examples, exercises, usage in both American and British English, and practical tips to avoid mistakes.

What Is the Difference Between Giving and Given?

The main difference is that giving is the present participle of the verb give, while given is the past participle.

Giving

  • Shows an action that is happening now or continuously.
  • Often used in continuous tenses.
  • Can function as a noun (gerund) or adjective.
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Examples:

  • She is giving a presentation today.
  • They are giving food to the community.
  • Giving advice is part of his job.

Given

  • Refers to something already provided or completed.
  • Used in perfect tenses and passive voice.
  • Can also mean considering or taking into account.

Examples:

  • She has given her answer.
  • The award was given to the winner.
  • Given the circumstances, we made the best decision.

Giving or Given Meaning

Understanding the meaning of both words is the first step toward using them correctly.

Meaning of Giving

Giving refers to the act of providing, offering, donating, handing over, or transferring something to someone.

USA English Usage

In American English, giving commonly appears in everyday speech and business communication.

Examples:

  1. The teacher is giving instructions to the students.
  2. She is giving a speech at the conference.
  3. They are giving discounts this weekend.

UK English Usage

British English uses giving in the same grammatical way.

Examples:

  1. The manager is giving feedback to employees.
  2. She’s giving a lecture at the university.
  3. The charity is giving support to local families.

Meaning of Given

Given means something has already been provided, offered, or handed over. It can also mean “considering” a particular situation.

USA English Usage

Examples:

  1. He has given me the documents.
  2. The prize was given to the winner.
  3. Given the weather, we stayed indoors.

UK English Usage

Examples:

  1. The information was given yesterday.
  2. She has given her consent.
  3. Given the circumstances, the decision was reasonable.

Giving or Given Grammar

Grammar is where learners most often become confused.

Giving as a Present Participle

Giving is used in continuous tenses.

Structure

Subject + be verb + giving

Examples

  1. I am giving a presentation.
  2. She is giving a gift to her friend.
  3. They are giving their full attention.

Giving as a Gerund

A gerund functions like a noun.

Examples

  1. Giving is better than receiving.
  2. Giving regularly helps charities.
  3. Giving compliments boosts confidence.

Giving as an Adjective

Examples

  1. She has a giving personality.
  2. He is a giving person.
  3. The organization promotes a giving culture.

Given as a Past Participle

Given is used in perfect tenses.

Structure

Subject + have/has/had + given

Examples

  1. I have given my response.
  2. She has given her opinion.
  3. They had given their approval.

Given in Passive Voice

Structure

Subject + be verb + given

Examples

  1. The award was given yesterday.
  2. Instructions were given clearly.
  3. Permission was given by management.

Given as a Preposition

When meaning “considering.”

Examples

  1. Given the evidence, the case was clear.
  2. Given his experience, he was hired.
  3. Given the delay, we adjusted our plans.

Giving or Given Examples

Let’s compare both words side by side.

GivingGiven
She is giving advice.She has given advice.
They are giving support.Support was given.
He is giving a speech.The speech was given yesterday.
I am giving instructions.Instructions were given earlier.
We are giving assistance.Assistance has been given.

More Examples of Giving

Example 1

The doctor is giving medical advice.

Example 2

The company is giving bonuses this year.

Example 3

She enjoys giving thoughtful gifts.

More Examples of Given

Example 1

The teacher has given homework.

Example 2

A scholarship was given to the student.

Example 3

Given the circumstances, we postponed the event.

Giving or Given Exercises

Practice is the best way to master the difference.

Exercise 1

Choose the correct word.

  1. She is _____ a presentation.
  2. The award was _____ to the athlete.
  3. They have _____ their approval.
  4. He enjoys _____ gifts.
  5. _____ the traffic, we left early.

Answers

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

Exercise 2

Fill in the blanks.

  1. The manager is ______ feedback today.
  2. The instructions were ______ yesterday.
  3. She has ______ her final answer.
  4. He likes ______ to charity.
  5. ______ the weather forecast, we canceled the trip.

Answers

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

Exercise 3

Identify the grammatical role.

  1. Giving is important.
  2. She is giving a speech.
  3. The award was given.
  4. Given the facts, we agreed.
  5. He has given his opinion.

Answers

  1. Gerund
  2. Present participle
  3. Past participle
  4. Preposition
  5. Past participle

Giving or Given the Current Situation

In modern English communication, both words appear frequently in professional, academic, and everyday contexts.

How Giving Is Used Today

Giving often emphasizes ongoing action.

Examples

  1. Companies are giving employees more flexibility.
  2. Teachers are giving online lessons.
  3. Organizations are giving support to communities.

How Given Is Used Today

Given often highlights completed actions or conditions.

Examples

  1. Resources have been given to schools.
  2. Funding was given for the project.
  3. Given current economic conditions, businesses are cautious.

Given Meaning

The word given has several meanings depending on context.

1. Past Participle of Give

Examples

  1. She has given her report.
  2. They had given notice.
  3. We have given our consent.

2. Considering

Examples

  1. Given the circumstances, we waited.
  2. Given his experience, he qualified.
  3. Given the evidence, the decision made sense.

3. Specified or Particular

Examples

  1. At any given moment.
  2. A given amount of money.
  3. In a given situation.

Other Ways to Say Giving or Given

Sometimes you may want alternative words.

Alternatives for Giving

  • Providing
  • Offering
  • Donating
  • Delivering
  • Presenting
  • Supplying
  • Handing
  • Granting
  • Sharing
  • Contributing
  • Awarding
  • Extending
  • Bestowing
  • Passing
  • Allocating

Examples

  1. The company is providing training.
  2. She is offering assistance.
  3. They are donating books.

Alternatives for Given

  • Provided
  • Offered
  • Granted
  • Awarded
  • Supplied
  • Delivered
  • Presented
  • Bestowed
  • Allocated
  • Assigned
  • Issued
  • Handed
  • Shared
  • Distributed
  • Furnished

Examples

  1. The funds were provided.
  2. Permission was granted.
  3. Resources were allocated.

Tips for Remembering the Difference

  • Giving = happening now
  • Given = already happened
  • Giving often follows am, is, are.
  • Given often follows has, have, had.
  • Giving shows action in progress.
  • Given shows completed action.
  • Giving can be a noun.
  • Given can be a condition.
  • Giving focuses on process.
  • Given focuses on result.
  • Giving is common in continuous tenses.
  • Given appears in passive structures.
  • Giving often expresses generosity.
  • Given can mean considering.
  • Context helps determine usage.

Common Mistakes with Giving and Given

Incorrect

She has giving her answer.

Correct

She has given her answer.

Incorrect

The prize was giving yesterday.

Correct

The prize was given yesterday.

Incorrect

Given food to the children is important.

Correct

Giving food to the children is important.

Incorrect

He is given a speech.

Correct

He is giving a speech.

Fill in the Blanks Exercise

Choose either giving or given.

  1. She is ______ a presentation today.
  2. The certificate was ______ to the winner.
  3. They have ______ their approval.
  4. He enjoys ______ to charity.
  5. ______ the circumstances, we stayed home.
  6. The teacher is ______ instructions.
  7. The award has been ______ already.
  8. She likes ______ helpful advice.
  9. The documents were ______ yesterday.
  10. ______ the evidence, the case was closed.

Answers

  1. giving
  2. given
  3. given
  4. giving
  5. Given
  6. giving
  7. given
  8. giving
  9. given
  10. Given

Tips and Tricks

  1. If the action is happening now, use giving.
  2. If the action is completed, use given.
  3. After has, have, had, usually use given.
  4. After am, is, are, usually use giving.
  5. Passive voice commonly uses given.
  6. Continuous tenses commonly use giving.
  7. When meaning “considering,” use Given.
  8. Gerunds often use giving.
  9. Perfect tenses require given.
  10. Read the sentence context carefully before choosing.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between giving and given helps you communicate more accurately and confidently in English. While giving describes an ongoing action and commonly appears in continuous tenses or as a gerund, given refers to a completed action, a condition, or something already provided. Both words are essential in everyday conversations, academic writing, and professional communication. By learning their meanings, grammar rules, examples, and common usage patterns in both American and British English, you can avoid frequent mistakes and improve your overall language skills. Regular practice and attention to context will make choosing the correct word much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between given and giving?

Giving is the present participle form of the verb give and shows an action that is happening now or continuously. Given is the past participle form and shows that someone has already completed the action or provided something.

What is the difference between given and given?

There is actually no difference because both words are the same. However, given can have different meanings depending on context, such as the past participle of give or a preposition meaning “considering.”

Which is correct, giving or given?

Both words are correct, but you must use them in different situations. Use giving for ongoing actions and given for completed actions, passive voice, or when considering a situation.

What is V1 V2 V3 V4 in tenses?

V1 is the base form of a verb, V2 is the past tense form, V3 is the past participle form, and V4 is the present participle form ending in “-ing.” For the verb give, the forms are: Give (V1), Gave (V2), Given (V3), and Giving (V4).

Can giving and given be used in the same sentence?

Yes, you can use both words in the same sentence when describing different stages of an action. For example, “She is giving a presentation after she has given her report to the manager.”

Is given a verb or an adjective?

Given primarily functions as a verb in its past participle form, but it can also act as an adjective in certain sentences. For example, “a given task” describes a specific task and uses given as an adjective.

Why do people confuse giving and given?

Many learners confuse these words because both come from the same root verb and look similar. Understanding whether the action is ongoing or completed helps you choose the correct form.

Can giving be used as a noun?

Yes, giving can function as a noun when used as a gerund. For example, “Giving to charity brings satisfaction” uses giving as the subject of the sentence.

What tense uses the word given?

The word given commonly appears in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. For example, “She has given her answer” and “The award was given yesterday” are both correct uses.

How can I remember the difference between giving and given?

A simple trick is to remember that giving ends in “-ing” and usually shows an action happening now. Given usually follows words like has, have, had, was, or were and refers to a completed action.

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