Giving vs Given becomes much easier to understand when you focus on timing, function, and English grammar, not just memorized rules every day.
The core difference is that Giving is used for actions happening right now or continuously, while Given refers to something that already happened or to states that exist. From my experience teaching English learners, I have found that knowing this simple meaning makes choosing the correct verb form in everyday English language much easier.
Giving works as a present participle and also functions as a gerund, the noun form of a verb. You will often see it in continuous tenses, such as I am giving, or in expressions like giving gifts, where it shows an ongoing activity and steady progress. This usage is common in the present tense, where the participle highlights continuous action.
Given is a past participle that commonly appears in perfect tenses, such as I have given, where a completed action is connected to the present. It is also used in passive voice and passive construction, as in The award was given. Besides being a verb form, Given can also act as an adjective meaning specified or as a preposition meaning considering. These different roles help you understand how the word fits naturally into a sentence.
When comparing these verb forms, pay attention to the tense instead of trying to memorize every rule. Giving is best for an ongoing action in the present tense, while Given is used in perfect or past tense structures.
As I continued studying grammar, I noticed these patterns became clearer through real writing and conversation rather than by reading definitions alone. This style of learning makes both forms easier to remember and use correctly.
Quick Answer
- Giving is the present participle and gerund form of give.
- Given is the past participle form of give.
- Use giving for actions that are happening or for activities.
- Use given with helping verbs like has, have, had, was, were, is, and been.
- Giving often shows an action in progress.
- Given often shows that something has already been done or received.
Quick Examples
- She is giving a speech. ✅
- The teacher has given us homework. ✅
- I enjoy giving gifts. ✅
- He was given an award. ✅
A Simple Background
The word give is an irregular English verb. Unlike regular verbs that simply add -ed, the forms of give change.
Here are the main forms:
| Verb Form | Word |
|---|---|
| Base Form | give |
| Present Simple | give / gives |
| Past Simple | gave |
| Present Participle | giving |
| Past Participle | given |
Because English has different verb forms, each one has a different job in a sentence.
The Difference Between Giving and Given
The easiest way to remember the difference is this:
Giving
Giving shows an action that is happening now or an activity in general.
It is used:
- With is, am, are, was, and were
- As a noun (gerund)
- Before nouns as an adjective in some cases
Examples:
- She is giving her friend a ride.
- They were giving free lessons.
- Giving advice is not always easy.
- He has a giving nature.
Given
Given shows that the action has already happened or was completed.
It is used:
- With has, have, and had
- In passive voice
- As an adjective in some situations
Examples:
- She has given me good advice.
- We were given enough time.
- The teacher had given clear instructions.
- Under the given conditions, we continued.
Giving vs Given Comparison Table
| Feature | Giving | Given |
|---|---|---|
| Verb Form | Present participle | Past participle |
| Shows | Ongoing action | Completed action |
| Used With | is, am, are, was, were | has, have, had, was, were, been |
| Can Be a Noun | Yes | No |
| Can Be an Adjective | Sometimes | Yes |
| Example | She is giving a gift. | She has given a gift. |
Which One Should You Use?
Choosing between giving and given becomes easy if you ask one simple question.
Is the action happening now?
If yes, use giving.
Examples:
- Dad is giving me driving lessons.
- They are giving free samples today.
- We were giving our best effort.
Has the action already happened?
If yes, use given.
Examples:
- She has given me the answer.
- The company had given everyone a bonus.
- I was given another chance.
Is it the name of an activity?
Use giving.
Examples:
- Giving is better than taking.
- She enjoys giving compliments.
Is it after “has,” “have,” or “had”?
Use given.
Examples:
- They have given us permission.
- I had given him my phone number.
Common Mistakes People Make
Many learners mix these words because they both come from give.
Mistake 1
❌ She has giving me a gift.
✅ She has given me a gift.
Mistake 2
❌ They are given food to the children.
✅ They are giving food to the children.
Mistake 3
❌ I enjoy given gifts.
✅ I enjoy giving gifts.
Mistake 4
❌ He had giving his opinion.
✅ He had given his opinion.
Easy Memory Tip
Remember this simple rule:
- Giving = action is happening.
- Given = action is finished.
This small trick helps in most everyday sentences.
Everyday Real-Life Examples
In Emails
- I am giving you all the details today.
- We have given your request careful attention.
- Thank you for giving us your feedback.
- The information has already been given to everyone.
In School
- The teacher is giving a quiz.
- The teacher has given us homework.
- Students are giving presentations.
- Each student was given a notebook.
In Daily Conversation
- My sister is giving me a ride.
- My parents have given me useful advice.
- He is giving his phone to his friend.
- We were given enough time to finish.
On Social Media
- Thanks for giving your support.
- Everyone has given positive comments.
- She is giving helpful tips.
- The winners were given special prizes.
In News Reports
- The charity is giving food to families.
- Emergency workers have given help to many people.
- Officials were given new instructions.
- Volunteers are giving their time to help others.
Learning Tips for Students and Beginners
Learning irregular verbs becomes much easier with practice.
Here are some simple tips:
- Learn all forms together: give, gave, given, giving.
- Read simple English stories every day.
- Listen to how native speakers use these words.
- Write five sentences with giving and five with given.
- Read your sentences aloud.
- Notice the helping verbs before each word.
A useful habit is to check the word before the verb.
If you see is, am, are, was, or were, think about whether the sentence shows an action happening now.
If you see has, have, or had, the correct word is usually given.
The more examples you read, the more natural these forms will become.
FAQs:
1. Is “giving” the same as “given”?
No. Giving shows an action happening now or an activity, while given shows a completed action.
2. Which one comes after “has”?
Use given.
Example: She has given me a book.
3. Which one comes after “is”?
Usually use giving.
Example: She is giving a speech.
4. Can “giving” be a noun?
Yes.
Example: Giving makes people happy.
5. Can “given” be an adjective?
Yes.
Example: Under the given rules, everyone must participate.
6. Which word is used in passive voice?
Use given.
Example: I was given another opportunity.
7. Is “giving” always about the present?
Usually, but not always. It can also describe ongoing actions in the past.
Example: They were giving free lessons last year.
8. How can I remember the difference?
Think of this rule:
- Giving = action in progress.
- Given = action completed.
Conclusion
Understanding giving vs given is much easier once you know the job of each word.
Giving is used for actions that are happening or for activities, while given is used for actions that have already been completed, especially after helping verbs like has, have, and had.
If you are unsure, look at the helping verb in the sentence. If the action is still happening, choose giving. If the action has already happened, choose given.
With regular reading and practice, using these two words correctly will soon become natural.
