Many English learners—and even native speakers—get confused by giving and given because both words come from the verb give. They look similar, sound somewhat related, and often appear in similar contexts. However, they serve different grammatical functions and cannot always be used interchangeably.
Understanding the difference between giving and given is important for everyday conversations, academic writing, exams, emails, and professional communication. Using the wrong form can make sentences sound awkward or grammatically incorrect.
This guide explains the meaning, grammar rules, pronunciation, usage patterns, common mistakes, and practical examples of giving and given in simple English. By the end, you’ll know exactly when to use each word with confidence.
What Do Giving and Given Mean?
Both giving and given come from the irregular verb give.
The principal forms of the verb are:
| Verb Form | Word |
| Base Form | give |
| Present Participle | giving |
| Past Tense | gave |
| Past Participle | given |
Meaning of Giving
Giving is the present participle and gerund form of give.
It usually refers to:
- The act of providing something
- Handing something to someone
- Donating or offering
Examples:
- She is giving a presentation.
- They are giving money to charity.
- Giving advice is easy.
Meaning of Given
Given is the past participle form of give.
It is used:
- With helping verbs such as has, have, had, was, were, and been
- As an adjective in some situations
- In certain expressions
Examples:
- She has given me the report.
- The award was given to the winner.
- Under the given circumstances, we cannot continue.
Giving vs Given: Quick Comparison
The easiest way to remember the difference is that giving shows an action happening, while given usually shows a completed action.
| Giving | Given |
| Present participle | Past participle |
| Shows ongoing action | Shows completed action |
| Used in continuous tenses | Used in perfect and passive tenses |
| “is giving” | “has given” |
| “giving advice” | “given advice” |
Examples
| Correct Usage | Explanation |
| She is giving a speech. | Action is happening now. |
| She has given a speech. | Action is completed. |
| They are giving gifts. | Ongoing activity. |
| The gifts were given yesterday. | Completed passive action. |
Grammar Rules for Giving and Given
Understanding the grammar behind these words makes choosing the correct one much easier.
Rule 1: Use Giving for Continuous Tenses
Continuous tenses require the -ing form.
Examples:
- I am giving a lesson.
- We are giving our best effort.
- They were giving free samples.
Rule 2: Use Given for Perfect Tenses
Perfect tenses require the past participle.
Examples:
- I have given my answer.
- She has given permission.
- They had given notice before leaving.
Rule 3: Use Given in Passive Voice
Passive structures often require given.
Examples:
- The instructions were given clearly.
- A warning was given to employees.
- The prize was given to the winner.
Rule 4: Use Giving as a Noun (Gerund)
Sometimes giving functions as a noun.
Examples:
- Giving is an important life skill.
- She enjoys giving gifts.
- Giving to charity helps many people.
Sentence Examples of Giving and Given
Real-life examples make the difference easier to understand.
Examples with Giving
- She is giving a lecture today.
- The teacher is giving homework.
- We are giving our support to the project.
- He kept giving excuses.
- They are giving away free tickets.
Examples with Given
- She has given her approval.
- The teacher had given clear instructions.
- The tickets were given to customers.
- He has given me useful advice.
- The company was given extra time.
Side-by-Side Examples
| Giving | Given |
| She is giving instructions. | She has given instructions. |
| They are giving money away. | They have given money away. |
| We are giving our opinion. | We have given our opinion. |
| He is giving a speech. | He has given a speech. |
When Given Is Used as an Adjective
One reason learners get confused is that given can also function as an adjective.
In these situations, it describes a specific thing, condition, or situation.
Examples:
- In a given situation, you should stay calm.
- At any given moment, conditions may change.
- Under the given circumstances, we must wait.
Common Expressions with Given
| Expression | Meaning |
| Given that | Considering that |
| Given the fact that | Taking into account that |
| At any given time | At a particular time |
| Given circumstances | Existing conditions |
Examples:
- Given that it is raining, we will stay indoors.
- Given the fact that prices increased, sales declined.
- Only ten people may enter at any given time.
Pronunciation of Giving and Given
Although these words are related, their pronunciation differs slightly.
| Word | Pronunciation | Approximate Sound |
| Giving | GIV-ing | /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/ |
| Given | GIV-en | /ˈɡɪvən/ |
Pronunciation Tips
Giving
- Ends with the “-ing” sound.
- Two clear syllables: GIV-ing.
Given
- Ends with the softer “-en” sound.
- Two syllables: GIV-en.
Practice:
- She is giving a speech.
- She has given a speech.
Reading these aloud helps you hear the difference naturally.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many learners accidentally swap these forms.
Mistake 1: Using Giving Instead of Given
❌ I have giving him the book.
✅ I have given him the book.
Why?
Perfect tenses require the past participle given.
Mistake 2: Using Given Instead of Giving
❌ She is given a presentation.
✅ She is giving a presentation.
Why?
Continuous tenses require giving.
Mistake 3: Forgetting the Irregular Form
Some learners assume the past participle should be gived.
❌ I have gived him permission.
✅ I have given him permission.
Remember:
- give
- gave
- given
Mistake 4: Misusing Given That
❌ Giving that it was late, we left.
✅ Given that it was late, we left.
The fixed phrase is given that, not giving that.
Easy Memory Tricks
If you often mix up these words, these tricks can help.
Trick 1: Look for “Be + -ing”
If you see:
- am
- is
- are
- was
- were
and the action is ongoing, use giving.
Examples:
- She is giving advice.
- They are giving presentations.
Trick 2: Look for “Have/Has/Had”
If you see:
- have
- has
- had
use given.
Examples:
- I have given my answer.
- She has given permission.
Trick 3: Remember the Verb Family
| Form | Word |
| Base | give |
| Present Participle | giving |
| Past | gave |
| Past Participle | given |
Memorizing this table prevents many grammar mistakes.
FAQs
Is it “giving” or “given” me?
It depends on the sentence.
Correct:
- She is giving me a book.
- She has given me a book.
The first describes an ongoing action. The second describes a completed action.
Can given be used without a helping verb?
Yes.
Examples:
- The given information is accurate.
- In a given situation, stay calm.
Here, given acts as an adjective.
Can giving be a noun?
Yes.
Examples:
- Giving is rewarding.
- The joy of giving is priceless.
In these examples, giving is a gerund (verb functioning as a noun).
Is “given that” correct English?
Yes.
Examples:
- Given that traffic is heavy, leave early.
- Given that he studied hard, he deserved success.
This phrase means “considering that.”
Which is more common: giving or given?
Both are common, but they appear in different grammatical situations.
- Giving commonly appears in continuous tenses.
- Given commonly appears in perfect tenses, passive voice, and adjective phrases.
Can I say “I am given”?
Sometimes, but the meaning changes.
Correct:
- I am given an opportunity every year.
This is passive voice.
However:
- I am giving an opportunity.
is usually incorrect because someone gives an opportunity to another person.
Conclusion
The difference between giving and given becomes simple once you understand their grammatical roles. Giving is the present participle and gerund form of give, so it is used for ongoing actions and continuous tenses, such as She is giving a speech. Given is the past participle form, so it appears in perfect tenses and passive constructions, such as She has given a speech or The award was given to her.
A quick way to remember is:
- Giving = action happening
- Given = action completed
Also remember that given can function as an adjective in expressions like given circumstances and given that. By learning these patterns and practicing with real examples, you’ll be able to choose the correct word confidently in writing, speaking, exams, and professional communication.
