Learning English often means dealing with words that look similar but serve different grammatical purposes. One of the most common questions students ask is whether they should use giving or given in a sentence. Although both words come from the verb give, they have different meanings, grammatical functions, and uses.
Understanding this difference can improve your writing, speaking, and overall confidence in English. Whether you’re preparing for an exam, writing an essay, creating professional emails, or simply improving your grammar, knowing when to choose the correct form helps you communicate more clearly.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn the meaning of each word, the grammar rules behind them, plenty of sentence examples, common mistakes to avoid, practical exercises, and easy tips to remember the difference forever.
What Is the Difference Between Giving and Given?
The easiest way to understand these words is to remember their verb forms.
| Word | Verb Form | Main Function | Example |
| Giving | Present participle (-ing form) | Describes an ongoing action or acts as a noun (gerund) | She is giving a presentation. |
| Given | Past participle | Used in perfect tenses, passive voice, and as an adjective | The prize was given yesterday. |
Simply put:
- Giving refers to an action that is happening or functions as a noun.
- Given refers to something that has already been provided or completed.
Understanding the Meaning of Giving
Giving is the present participle of the verb give.
It commonly appears:
- In continuous tenses
- As a gerund (verb acting as a noun)
- As part of descriptive phrases
Examples
- She is giving a speech.
- They are giving free lessons.
- We enjoy giving gifts.
- Giving compliments builds confidence.
- The teacher is giving instructions.
In every example, the action is happening now or is viewed as an activity.
Understanding the Meaning of Given
Given is the past participle of the verb give.
It is commonly used in:
- Perfect tenses
- Passive voice
- Adjective phrases
- Conditional expressions
Examples
- The award was given yesterday.
- I have given my answer.
- She had given him permission.
- Given enough practice, anyone can improve.
- The information given in the report is accurate.
Unlike giving, given usually describes a completed action or something already provided.
Verb Forms of “Give”
Learning all verb forms makes the difference much easier.
| Base Verb | Past Tense | Past Participle | Present Participle |
| Give | Gave | Given | Giving |
Examples:
- I give my best every day.
- She gave me helpful advice.
- They have given us another opportunity.
- He is giving a presentation now.
When to Use Giving
Use giving whenever you’re talking about an action that is happening now or continues over time.
1. Continuous Tenses
Examples:
- She is giving a lecture.
- They were giving interviews.
- We have been giving support for years.
- He will be giving a speech tomorrow.
2. As a Gerund
A gerund behaves like a noun.
Examples:
- Giving is better than receiving.
- Giving takes patience.
- Giving regularly creates good habits.
- Giving to charity feels rewarding.
- Giving honest feedback helps everyone grow.
3. After Certain Verbs
Some verbs are naturally followed by an -ing form.
Examples:
- I enjoy giving presentations.
- She loves giving surprises.
- They keep giving excuses.
- We practice giving speeches.
When to Use Given
Use given when discussing something that has already happened or has been provided.
1. Perfect Tenses
Examples:
- I have given my opinion.
- She has given permission.
- They had given us enough time.
- We have given careful consideration.
2. Passive Voice
Examples:
- The certificates were given to the students.
- The assignment was given yesterday.
- Instructions were given clearly.
- Awards were given during the ceremony.
3. As an Adjective
Sometimes given simply describes a noun.
Examples:
- Follow the given instructions.
- Read the given passage.
- Solve the given equation.
- Complete the given task.
- Review the given information carefully.
4. In Conditional Expressions
One of the most common uses is the expression given + noun.
Examples:
- Given enough time, the project will succeed.
- Given the circumstances, we made the right decision.
- Given your experience, this task should be easy.
- Given the weather, the event may be postponed.
- Given today’s technology, communication is much faster.
Giving vs Given: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Giving | Given |
| Verb Form | Present participle | Past participle |
| Time Reference | Ongoing action | Completed action |
| Used in Continuous Tenses | ✔ | ✘ |
| Used in Perfect Tenses | ✘ | ✔ |
| Used in Passive Voice | ✘ | ✔ |
| Can Function as Adjective | Rarely | Frequently |
| Can Function as Gerund | ✔ | ✘ |
Sentence Examples
Using “Giving”
- She is giving excellent advice.
- The doctor is giving medical assistance.
- My parents are giving me support.
- They were giving free samples.
- Giving encouragement boosts confidence.
- Giving compliments costs nothing.
- The company is giving bonuses.
- Teachers are giving homework today.
- We are giving our full attention.
- Giving clear instructions prevents confusion.
Using “Given”
- The award was given yesterday.
- I have given my final answer.
- Permission was given immediately.
- The documents were given to the manager.
- The opportunity was given equally.
- The information given is reliable.
- She had given her approval.
- They have given us another chance.
- The task was given to everyone.
- Given enough effort, success becomes achievable.
Common Grammar Rules to Remember
Mastering giving and given becomes much easier when you understand the grammar rules behind each form. Instead of memorizing random examples, focus on how each word functions in a sentence.
Rule 1: Use giving for ongoing actions
The -ing form is used with helping verbs like is, am, are, was, and were to describe actions in progress.
Examples
- She is giving a presentation.
- They were giving free tickets.
- We are giving our best effort.
- He was giving careful instructions.
- The coach is giving advice.
Rule 2: Use given after helping verbs in perfect tenses
The past participle follows has, have, had, and sometimes will have.
Examples
- I have given my opinion.
- She has given the correct answer.
- They had given us permission.
- We have given our full support.
- By tomorrow, he will have given his speech.
Rule 3: Use given in passive voice
In passive sentences, the focus is on the receiver of the action rather than the person performing it.
Examples
- The prizes were given to the winners.
- Homework was given yesterday.
- Instructions were given carefully.
- Certificates were given after the ceremony.
- A warning was given in advance.
Rule 4: Use giving as a noun (gerund)
Sometimes the verb becomes the subject or object of a sentence.
Examples
- Giving is an act of kindness.
- Giving brings happiness.
- We appreciate giving honest feedback.
- Giving without expecting anything in return is admirable.
- Giving regularly develops generosity.
Rule 5: Use given before nouns as an adjective
Here, given simply describes the noun.
Examples
- the given answer
- the given topic
- the given information
- the given instructions
- the given formula
Example sentences:
- Follow the given directions.
- Read the given article carefully.
- Solve the given equation.
- Complete the given assignment.
- Explain the given paragraph.
Giving vs Given in Different Tenses
Understanding verb tenses removes much of the confusion.
| Tense | Correct Form | Example |
| Simple Present | give | They give excellent service. |
| Present Continuous | giving | They are giving excellent service. |
| Simple Past | gave | They gave excellent service yesterday. |
| Present Perfect | given | They have given excellent service. |
| Past Perfect | given | They had given excellent service before leaving. |
| Future Continuous | giving | They will be giving training tomorrow. |
| Future Perfect | given | They will have given all the instructions by noon. |
Notice that giving appears in continuous tenses, while given appears in perfect tenses.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many English learners make the same errors because these forms look similar. Let’s fix them.
Mistake 1
❌ I have giving my homework.
✅ I have given my homework.
Why?
After have, use the past participle.
Mistake 2
❌ She is given a speech.
✅ She is giving a speech.
Why?
Continuous actions require the -ing form.
Mistake 3
❌ They were given free food. (when you mean they distributed food)
✅ They were giving free food.
Why?
“They were given” means they received something.
“They were giving” means they were providing something.
Mistake 4
❌ Giving enough time, we can finish.
✅ Given enough time, we can finish.
Why?
The expression Given enough time is a fixed grammatical structure.
Mistake 5
❌ The teacher has giving us homework.
✅ The teacher has given us homework.
Again, perfect tenses always require the past participle.
Comparison Examples
Sometimes both words appear in similar situations but carry different meanings.
Example 1
She is giving flowers to her mother.
(Action happening now.)
She has given flowers to her mother.
(Action already completed.)
Example 2
The company is giving bonuses.
(The company is currently distributing bonuses.)
Bonuses have been given.
(The distribution has already happened.)
Example 3
He is giving instructions.
(He is speaking now.)
The instructions were given yesterday.
(The speaking already happened.)
Example 4
Giving advice requires patience.
(The activity itself.)
The advice given was very helpful.
(The advice already provided.)
Example 5
They are giving awards.
(The ceremony is happening.)
Awards were given last night.
(The ceremony has finished.)
Writing Tips for Students and Writers
Strong grammar improves every type of writing, from essays to emails.
Use giving to create action
Instead of writing:
“The teacher spoke.”
Try:
“The teacher was giving detailed explanations.”
This sounds more dynamic and engaging.
Use given to summarize completed actions
Instead of:
“They completed the instructions.”
Write:
“The instructions were given clearly before the activity began.”
This creates smoother academic writing.
Improve sentence variety
Rather than repeating simple verbs, alternate sentence structures.
Examples:
- The information was given during class.
- The instructor is giving another example.
- Students have given thoughtful responses.
- Giving constructive criticism improves teamwork.
Vocabulary Enhancement
Learning related words helps expand your English vocabulary.
| Word | Meaning |
| Give | To hand over or provide |
| Giving | Providing or donating |
| Given | Already provided |
| Gift | Something given |
| Donor | A person who gives |
| Donation | Something that is given freely |
| Contribution | Something offered to help |
| Present | A gift |
| Provide | Supply something |
| Offer | Present something voluntarily |
Using synonyms makes your writing more natural and less repetitive.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word.
Exercise 1
She is ________ a speech.
A. giving
B. given
Answer: A
Exercise 2
The homework was ________ yesterday.
A. giving
B. given
Answer: B
Exercise 3
I have ________ my report.
A. giving
B. given
Answer: B
Exercise 4
They are ________ free lessons.
A. giving
B. given
Answer: A
Exercise 5
________ enough practice, anyone can improve.
A. Giving
B. Given
Answer: B
Rewrite the Sentence
Incorrect:
She has giving her presentation.
Correct:
She has given her presentation.
Incorrect:
The manager is given instructions.
Correct:
The manager is giving instructions.
Incorrect:
Giving enough time, we can finish.
Correct:
Given enough time, we can finish.
Fill in the Blanks
- The teacher is ________ homework.
- The homework was ________ yesterday.
- We have ________ our best effort.
- ________ more practice, you’ll improve quickly.
- Giving honest feedback is better than hiding the truth.
Answers
- giving
- given
- given
- Given
- Giving
In the final part, I’ll provide:
- More real-world sentence examples
- Tips for academic and professional writing
- A quick recap table
- A strong conclusion to complete the 2,500–3,500 word article.
Real-World Examples of Giving and Given
Seeing these words in everyday contexts makes it easier to remember how they work. Below are examples from conversations, school, work, and formal writing.
Everyday Conversation
Giving
- My friend is giving me a ride to school.
- She is giving everyone a chance to speak.
- They are giving away free concert tickets.
- We are giving our guests a warm welcome.
- The volunteers are giving food to families in need.
Given
- I have given your message to the manager.
- The tickets were given to the first 100 visitors.
- She had already given her answer before class ended.
- The opportunity was given to every applicant.
- Given your experience, this task should be straightforward.
Academic Writing
Giving
- The professor is giving additional reading assignments.
- The instructor is giving detailed feedback on each essay.
- Students are giving presentations this week.
- Giving examples strengthens an argument.
- Giving proper credit to sources prevents plagiarism.
Given
- The data given in the chart supports the conclusion.
- The examples given above explain the concept clearly.
- The assignment was given on Monday.
- The solution given by the teacher is correct.
- Given the available evidence, the hypothesis appears reasonable.
Professional Communication
Giving
- Our team is giving priority to customer satisfaction.
- The manager is giving clear instructions.
- The company is giving employees additional training.
- We are giving careful attention to every detail.
- Giving constructive feedback improves performance.
Given
- The deadline has been given to all departments.
- The report was given to senior management.
- The approval was given after careful review.
- The responsibilities were given to experienced staff.
- Given the current market conditions, the company adjusted its strategy.
Tips for Remembering the Difference
If you still mix up giving and given, these simple memory tricks can help.
Remember the -ing Rule
Words ending in -ing usually describe actions that are happening now.
Examples:
- running
- reading
- writing
- speaking
- giving
Think: Action in progress = giving.
Remember the Past Participle Rule
The past participle often follows have, has, or had.
Examples:
- have written
- has eaten
- had taken
- have seen
- have given
Think: Completed action = given.
Look for Helping Verbs
Ask yourself which helping verb comes before the word.
If you see:
- is
- am
- are
- was
- were
You probably need giving.
If you see:
- has
- have
- had
- been
You usually need given.
Check the Meaning
Ask one simple question:
Is the action happening now?
✔ Yes → giving
✔ No, it already happened → given
Quick Recap Table
| Situation | Correct Word | Example |
| Action happening now | Giving | She is giving a speech. |
| Continuous tense | Giving | They are giving directions. |
| Gerund | Giving | Giving is rewarding. |
| Perfect tense | Given | I have given my answer. |
| Passive voice | Given | The award was given yesterday. |
| Adjective | Given | Read the given passage. |
| Fixed expression | Given | Given enough time, we’ll finish. |
FAQs
1. What is the main difference between giving and given?
Giving is the present participle and is used for ongoing actions or as a gerund. Given is the past participle and is used in perfect tenses, passive voice, and as an adjective.
2. Can given be used as an adjective?
Yes. It often describes a noun that has already been specified or provided.
Examples:
- the given topic
- the given instructions
- the given answer
- the given formula
- the given information
3. Is giving always a verb?
No. It can also function as a gerund, which means it acts as a noun.
Examples:
- Giving is an important life skill.
- Giving brings people together.
- Giving without expecting anything in return is generous.
4. Why do we say “have given” instead of “have giving”?
After have, has, or had, English grammar requires the past participle, not the -ing form.
✔ I have given my answer.
✘ I have giving my answer.
5. How can I avoid confusing these words?
Remember this simple rule:
- Giving = happening now
- Given = already happened or already provided
Checking the helping verb before the word is one of the easiest ways to choose the correct form.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between giving and given is an essential step toward mastering English grammar. Although both words come from the same verb, they serve different purposes and appear in different grammatical structures.
Use giving when describing an action in progress or when the verb functions as a noun. Use given when referring to completed actions, forming perfect tenses, constructing passive voice, or describing something that has already been provided.
The more you read, write, and practice, the more natural these forms will become. Pay attention to helping verbs, identify whether the action is ongoing or complete, and review sentence patterns regularly. With consistent practice, you’ll use giving and given confidently in conversations, academic writing, professional communication, and everyday English.
Whether you’re a student preparing for exams, a writer aiming for polished content, or an English learner building fluency, mastering this distinction will strengthen your grammar, improve your writing skills, and help you communicate with greater accuracy and confidence.
