As an English teacher, I’ve seen many learners get tripped up by the words Giving or Given. Both come from the same root verb give but serve different roles in sentences. Mastering their use is crucial for clear, natural writing and speaking. This guide dives into the nuances, rules, and different forms, offering helpful, real-world examples to ensure you don’t mix them up.
What I’ve noticed is that understanding the subtle differences between these two forms can make your English flow much better. Giving shows an ongoing action, happening now or continuously, while given is often a past participle used in passive structures. Knowing these roles will boost your confidence and improve your communication. With practice, you’ll naturally spot the right form and use it correctly without hesitation.
Understanding “Giving” and “Given” – The Basics
To start, it helps to break down these two words by their grammatical roles.
- Giving is the present participle or gerund form of the verb “give.” It often describes an action in progress or functions as a noun.
Given is the past participle of “give,” but it wears many hats: past participle, adjective, and even a preposition.
| Word | Function | Example |
| Giving | Present participle/gerund | She is giving a speech. |
| Given | Past participle | He has given his answer. |
| Given | Adjective | Under the given conditions… |
| Given | Preposition | Given the circumstances, I agree. |
Knowing this distinction lays the foundation to confidently choose between the two.
Using “Giving” in Continuous Tenses
“Giving” thrives in continuous tenses because it expresses ongoing or repeated actions.
Present Continuous: Action Happening Now
The most common use of “giving” appears in the present continuous tense, which shows an action happening right now.
I am giving a presentation at the meeting.
This means the action of giving is in progress at this moment.
Past Continuous: Actions Happening in the Past
You also use “giving” with the past continuous tense to talk about an ongoing past action.
She was giving advice when I called her.
The focus here is on the duration or process of the action at a particular past time.
Present Perfect Continuous: Action Started in the Past and Still Ongoing
This tense emphasizes the action continuing up to now.
They have been giving support to the charity for years.
It highlights duration and continuity.
Common Mistakes with “Giving” in Continuous Tenses
- Confusing “giving” with “given” in perfect tenses (more on “given” later).
- Using “giving” where a simple present or past tense would suffice. Example mistake: She gave the report yesterday. Correct: She gave the report yesterday.
The Many Faces of “Given”
“Given” is a versatile word that wears multiple grammatical hats, making it trickier than “giving.”
“Given” as a Past Participle in Perfect Tenses
The most straightforward role of “given” is as the past participle used in perfect tenses.
| Tense | Example | Explanation |
| Present Perfect | He has given his word. | Action completed at some point before now. |
| Past Perfect | She had given all she could. | Action completed before another past event. |
| Future Perfect | By tomorrow, they will have given notice. | Action that will be completed in the future. |
This use reflects completed actions or states linked to a timeframe.
“Given” in Passive Voice
“Given” also functions in passive constructions, usually combined with a form of the verb “to be.”
The award was given to the winner last night.
Passive voice shifts focus from the doer to the recipient or the action itself.
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
| She gave him the book. | The book was given to him. |
| They have given us instructions. | Instructions have been given to us. |
Use passive voice when the agent (doer) is unknown, unimportant, or you want to emphasize the recipient.
“Given” as an Adjective
Sometimes, “given” describes something specific or already mentioned – it acts as an adjective.
Under the given circumstances, we should postpone the meeting.
Here, “given” means “specified” or “particular.”
Other examples:
- A given fact
- At a given moment
This use often appears in formal or academic writing.
“Given” as a Preposition
“Given” can introduce a condition or context, meaning “considering” or “taking into account.”
Given the heavy rain, the event was canceled.
In these sentences, “given” sets the stage for what follows, emphasizing a reason or condition.
Side-by-Side Examples: “Giving” vs “Given” in Context
Seeing the two side-by-side can clear up confusion.
| Sentence with “Giving” | Sentence with “Given” | Explanation |
| I am giving a gift to my friend. | The gift was given to my friend. | “Giving” is an ongoing action; “given” is a past participle in passive. |
| She was giving advice when I arrived. | Advice was given to me yesterday. | Past continuous vs. passive past. |
| They have been giving donations regularly. | Donations have been given every year. | Present perfect continuous vs. present perfect passive. |
| Given the circumstances, we must act fast. | He has given his approval. | Prepositional “given” vs. past participle. |
Practical Tips for Choosing Between “Giving” and “Given”
Here are some easy ways to decide which word fits best:
- Is the action ongoing or continuous? Use “giving.” I am giving a speech.
- Is the action completed or passive? Use “given.” The speech was given yesterday.
- Is “given” acting as a condition or an adjective? Use it as a preposition or adjective. Given your experience, you should apply.
- Check the tense and sentence structure. Perfect tenses or passive voice often need “given.” Continuous tenses need “giving.”
Quick Mnemonic for Remembering
- Giving = GOING action (present participle/gerund)
- Given = DONE action (past participle/adjective/preposition)
Common Errors and How to Avoid Them
Let’s highlight common traps learners fall into and how to sidestep them:
- Mistake: Using “given” instead of “giving” in continuous tenses. Wrong: She is given a presentation now. Right: She is giving a presentation now.
- Mistake: Treating “given” as just a past participle and missing its adjective/prepositional uses. Wrong: Given the rules are hard. (without a comma and meaning unclear) Right: Given the rules, the task is difficult.
- Mistake: Confusing active and passive voice forms with “give.” Wrong: The book was given to her. Right: The book was given to her.
Final Thoghts
To sum it up:
- Use “giving” to talk about actions happening now or continuously. It’s the present participle form of “give.”
- Use “given” for completed actions (past participle), passive voice, and when it acts as an adjective or preposition to mean “considering” or “specified.”
- Pay close attention to tense, sentence function, and meaning.
- Use our mnemonic and examples to guide your choices and avoid common pitfalls.
By mastering “giving” and “given,” your English will sound more natural, clear, and confident. Don’t just memorize rules – try writing your own sentences, read them aloud, and check which word fits best. The difference may seem small, but it makes a big impact.
“Grammar isn’t just about rules; it’s about making your message shine clearly.”
– Linguistics Expert Dr. Anna Fields
FAQs
What’s the easiest way to remember when to use “giving” instead of “given”?
Think of “giving” as an action in progress – it’s the present participle used in continuous tenses. If the action is happening now or over time, use “giving.” If it’s about something completed or used passively, “given” is the right choice.
Can “given” ever be used as a preposition?
Yes! “Given” often works like a preposition, meaning “considering” or “taking into account.” For example, “Given the weather, the event was postponed.” This use introduces conditions or background information.
Is “giving” ever used in passive sentences?
No. Passive voice requires the past participle form, which is “given.” For example, “The award was given by the teacher.” Using “giving” here would be incorrect.
Can “given” function as an adjective?
Absolutely. When “given” describes something specific or predetermined, it acts as an adjective. For instance, “Under the given circumstances, we should act carefully.” Here, “given” means “specified” or “particular.”
How do I know if I should use “given” in perfect tenses?
Perfect tenses always pair a form of “have” with the past participle. Since “given” is the past participle of “give,” it fits perfectly:
- She has given her answer.
- They had given up before the test started.
