Borrow and lend

Can you remember the difference between lend and borrow?
These two verbs are easily confused. See if you can fill in the following blanks with the correct form of either borrow or lend.

A:   Natalie, can I 1. ________  your dictionary? I 2. ________ mine to Dave and he hasn’t returned it yet.

B:   Yes, Pauline, but only for five minutes. I need it to translate this document before noon.

Remember:
If you are the person who borrows, then you receive or take something.
If you are the person who lends, then you give something

In sentence one above, Pauline is asking if she can take Natalie’s dictionary, so she asks, “Can I borrow your dictionary?”

In sentence two above, Pauline is saying that she gave her dictionary to Dave, so she says, “I lent mine to Dave.”

Take a look at these example sentences:

•     She borrowed my laptop for the weekend. (action = taking: She took my laptop.)

•     I’ll lend you my pen. (action = giving: I’ll give you my pen.)

•     Could you lend me your car please?  (action = giving: Could you give me your car?)

•     Could I borrow your car please?  (action = taking : Could I take your car?)