Giving or Given traps learners; English feels tricky when words trip you up, yet understanding the difference helps you write and speak with confidence today.
Although both forms come from the verb give and serve very different functions, the difference often confuses learners. Knowing how to use them correctly will improve your fluency once you grasp the distinct roles each form plays and how the tone becomes more natural.
Giving refers to an action in progress — the present participle describing something happening now or continuously; on the other hand, given is the past, commonly used in passive constructions to indicate what’s already provided or assumed.
Over years as a teacher, I noticed small important differences make a huge change. When your choice fits the proper context, this page clearly explains tenses and provides examples you can see.
Break down the core meanings and the specific grammatical ways they behave, and you’ll find it easier. This guide digs into every angle question with practical comparison tables, memory tricks, and a quiz that helps you check progress — let’s dive.
Giving or Given: Understanding the Root Verb “To Give”
Every participle begins with a root verb, so it helps to revisit the foundation. The verb give describes transferring something to someone. Sometimes it refers to physical objects like money, gifts, or documents. Other times it refers to intangible things such as attention, trust, or permission.
You rely on this verb constantly because it sits at the heart of human interaction. People give advice. They give time. They give support. They even give themselves permission to grow. Because it shows action in so many situations, English forms two different participles from it.
- Giving → present participle
- Given → past participle
Each plays a unique role in English grammar.
Below is a simple breakdown that shows every major form of the verb.
Table: Forms of “Give”
| Verb Form | Example | Meaning |
| Base Form | give | The standard dictionary form |
| Past Simple | gave | Action completed in the past |
| Present Participle | giving | Ongoing action or used as a noun |
| Past Participle | given | Completed action or used in passive structures |
| Third Person Singular | gives | Used with subjects like he, she, it |
| Present Continuous | is giving | Action happening now |
| Past Continuous | was giving | Action happening at a specific time in the past |
| Perfect Tenses | has given | Action completed at some point before the present |
This breakdown builds a foundation for understanding when to use “giving” and when to use “given”, because each participle connects to a specific grammatical role.
What “Giving” Means (Keyword: Using “Giving” Correctly)
The word giving is the present participle of give. Present participles usually end in -ing and describe ongoing actions. You see them whenever something is happening right now, happening around a particular moment, or functioning as a noun that describes an activity.
Think of “giving” as something in progress or something treated like an activity or idea.
Here is the core meaning:
“Giving” describes an ongoing action or functions as a noun to express an activity or concept.
This versatility makes “giving” useful in continuous tenses, as a gerund, and even in descriptive phrases that shape mood or tone.
Practical Uses of “Giving”
Using “Giving” in Continuous Tenses
Continuous tenses express actions that continue over time. The verb “give” uses its present participle giving in every continuous form. When you read a sentence with “am giving”, “was giving”, or “will be giving”, you know the action is in progress.
Below are clear examples of each continuous tense.
Present Continuous: “to be + giving”
You use the present continuous when an action is happening right now or around the current moment.
Examples:
- “I’m giving my full attention to this project.”
- “She’s giving her best effort this semester.”
- “They’re giving the community clean water through donations.”
These examples show action unfolding in real time.
Past Continuous: “was/were + giving”
Use the past continuous when describing an action that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Examples:
- “I was giving a presentation when the fire alarm rang.”
- “He was giving mixed signals during the meeting.”
- “They were giving instructions while everyone prepared for the event.”
This tense helps you paint vivid scenes or explain sequences of events.
Present Perfect Continuous: “has/have been + giving”
You use this tense to highlight actions that began in the past and continue into the present.
Examples:
- “She has been giving piano lessons for three years.”
- “I have been giving too much time to tasks that don’t matter.”
- “They have been giving financial support to the charity since 2020.”
Notice how each sentence shows long-term activity.
Future Continuous: “will be + giving”
Use this tense for actions that will be happening at a specific time in the future.
Examples:
- “I’ll be giving a workshop tomorrow evening.”
- “He will be giving the opening speech.”
- “They’ll be giving bonuses next quarter.”
This tense helps you set expectations and plan events.
“Giving” as a Gerund (Noun Form)
A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that functions as a noun. You treat it like a thing or idea instead of an action someone performs.
Examples where “giving” acts as a noun:
- “Giving makes communities stronger.”
- “She enjoys giving more than receiving.”
- “Giving requires generosity and patience.”
In these cases, giving behaves like a concept similar to “sharing” or “helping”.
You can test this by replacing “giving” with another noun. If the sentence still works, you know it acts as a gerund.
“Giving” in Descriptive Phrases
Sometimes “giving” appears in phrases that describe attitude or energy.
Examples:
- “She’s giving confident energy today.”
- “He’s giving teacher vibes.”
- “This design is giving modern minimalist style.”
This usage became popular online because it conveys emotion and interpretation, not literal action. It turns “giving” into a stylistic tool rather than a strict grammatical form.
What “Given” Means (Keyword: Using “Given” Correctly)
The word given is the past participle of give. Past participles usually express completed actions or appear in passive constructions. English also uses “given” as an adjective or preposition, which adds meaning related to conditions, assumptions, or accepted facts.
Here’s the core definition:
“Given” refers to something that has already been provided, granted, assumed, or accepted as true.
This makes it perfect for perfect tenses, passive voice, and descriptive contexts.
Read More: Finger in the Dike: Meaning, Origins, and Why This Myth Still Shapes Modern Language
Practical Uses of “Given”
“Given” in Perfect Tenses
Perfect tenses describe actions completed at some point before another moment.
Because “given” is the past participle, you combine it with forms of “have”.
Present Perfect: “has/have + given”
Examples:
- “She has given her approval.”
- “They have given the team everything they need.”
- “I have given enough reminders for today.”
These sentences show finished actions with present implications.
Past Perfect: “had + given”
This tense describes something completed before another action in the past.
Examples:
- “He had given his vote long before the debate ended.”
- “I had given my keys to the receptionist before leaving.”
- “They had given instructions, but no one followed them.”
Future Perfect: “will have + given”
Use this tense when describing actions that will be finished by a specific future time.
Examples:
- “She’ll have given her final answer by tomorrow.”
- “They will have given their proposal before the deadline.”
- “I’ll have given all the documents to the lawyer by next week.”
“Given” in Passive Voice
Passive voice focuses on the object rather than the doer of the action. Because passive structures usually rely on past participles, given fits perfectly.
Examples:
- “The award was given to the athlete.”
- “The assignment was given earlier this morning.”
- “The instructions were given clearly.”
These sentences do not emphasize who performed the action. They highlight what was received or affected.
Active vs. Passive Comparison
| Active Sentence | Passive Sentence |
| “They gave her the award.” | “The award was given to her.” |
| “The manager gave clear instructions.” | “Clear instructions were given.” |
| “He gave the team a challenge.” | “The team was given a challenge.” |
Active voice sounds direct and dynamic. Passive voice sounds neutral and focuses on the object. Knowing this helps you choose the right tone.
“Given” as an Adjective
Sometimes “given” describes something fixed, established, accepted, or assigned.
You often see it before nouns.
Examples:
- “They must finish the task within the given time.”
- “Every team followed the given guidelines.”
- “The given circumstances required quick action.”
In these examples, given means “specified” or “assigned”.
“Given” as a Preposition
When used as a preposition, given means considering or because of.
Examples:
- “Given the traffic, we should leave early.”
- “Given her experience, she’s the best choice.”
- “Given the weather, the game may be postponed.”
This usage introduces a condition or reason.
Active vs. Passive: Understanding the Distinction
Choosing between “giving” and “given” sometimes depends on whether the sentence uses active or passive voice.
- Giving always appears in active structures.
- Given frequently appears in passive structures.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Why “Giving” Appears in Active Voice
- It shows action in progress.
- It highlights the subject’s involvement.
- It adds energy and immediacy.
Why “Given” Appears in Passive Voice
- It shifts attention to the receiver.
- It highlights results rather than actions.
- It suits formal and academic writing.
Understanding this distinction helps you choose the right tone for your sentence
Giving vs. Given: Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Feature | Giving | Given |
| Verb Type | Present participle | Past participle |
| Action Timing | Ongoing action | Completed action |
| Common Uses | Continuous tenses, gerund, descriptions | Perfect tenses, passive voice, adjective, preposition |
| Example (Active) | “She is giving her speech.” | “She has given her speech.” |
| Example (Passive) | Rare | “The award was given to him.” |
| Tone/Feeling | Dynamic, current | Final, complete, factual |
| Functions As | Verb or noun | Verb, adjective, or preposition |
This table creates a quick reference that helps you make fast decisions in your writing.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Giving or Given
Mix-ups usually happen because the forms look similar but serve different roles. Below are the most frequent mistakes.
1. Using “given” when the action is ongoing
Incorrect: “She is given the presentation right now.”
Correct: “She is giving the presentation right now.”
2. Using “giving” to describe completed action
Incorrect: “I have been giving the report earlier.”
Correct: “I gave the report earlier.”
3. Confusing passive and active voice
Incorrect: “The instructions were giving clearly.”
Correct: “The instructions were given clearly.”
4. Using “given” as a gerund
Incorrect: “Given is important for leadership.”
Correct: “Giving is important for leadership.”
Memory Tricks: How to Remember the Difference
A few simple tricks help the difference stick in your mind.
Easy Mnemonic
“Giving = going”
If the action is happening or ongoing, choose giving.
“Given = done”
If the action is completed or passive, choose given.
Visual Analogy
Imagine a gift being handed over.
- If the hand is still moving → giving
- If the gift is already in someone else’s hand → given
Quick Spot-Check Test
Ask yourself:
- Is the action happening? → use giving
- Is the action finished? → use given
- Is the sentence passive? → use given
- Is the word acting as a noun? → use giving
These questions eliminate confusion instantly.
Real-Life Usage Examples of “Giving” and “Given”
Learning grammar feels easier when you see it in situations you know.
Example in Conversation
- “I’m giving you honest feedback because I want to help.”
- “Given the time constraints, we should focus on the main points.”
- “He was giving me attitude earlier.”
Each line sounds natural, casual, and easy to say.
Example in Writing
Email Example:
- “Given your earlier request, I’ve attached the updated file.”
- “I’m giving the team new tasks tomorrow.”
Academic Example:
- “Given the available research, the hypothesis appears supported.”
- “The researcher has given several explanations for the pattern.”
Storytelling Example:
- “She was giving everything she had, even when she exhausted her patience.”
- “He had given his last ounce of strength to finish the climb.”
Quick Quiz: Test Your Understanding of Giving or Given
Try these questions to check your understanding.
1. Choose the correct word:
“She is ___ her presentation right now.”
A. giving
B. given
2. Choose the correct word:
“The documents were ___ to the legal team.”
A. giving
B. given
3. Choose the correct word:
“He has ___ the team excellent guidance.”
A. giving
B. given
4. Choose the correct word:
“___ the circumstances, we need a backup plan.”
A. Giving
B. Given
5. Choose the correct word:
“She enjoys ___ more than receiving.”
A. giving
B. given
Answer Key: 1-A, 2-B, 3-B, 4-B, 5-A
Conclusion
Now you know how giving and given work in real-life English. One shows action in progress, while the other points to something already done or assumed. When you spot the sentence structure and the time it shows, your choice becomes easy. Keep practicing with short examples from daily life and you’ll notice your writing and speaking grow clearer and more confident. With time, these two words will feel natural, not confusing.
FAQs
1) What is the main difference between “giving” and “given”?
“Giving” shows an action happening now or repeatedly. “Given” shows an action already completed or something accepted as true.
2) Can “given” be used as something other than a verb form?
Yes. “Given” can also work as a preposition, meaning “considering” or “because of.”
3) Is “giving” always in the present?
It shows an ongoing action, but it can appear in different tenses within a sentence like “was giving” or “will be giving.”
4) How do I choose the right one in a sentence?
Check the timing. If it’s happening now, use “giving.” If it already happened or is assumed, use “given.”
5) What’s a quick way to remember the difference?
Think “ing = in progress.” So “giving” is ongoing. “Given” sounds finished, so it points to the past or a condition.
