TESOL/Borrow and lend

The words borrow and lend can be confusing for people learning English.

We borrow books.

Meaning

Just remember borrow from and lend to.

• I borrow a book from the library.
• The library lends a book to me.

Mechanics

You can lend something to somebody, or you can lend somebody something.

• I will lend you my notebook.
• I will lend my notebook to you.

Borrow is different. You can only borrow something from somebody.

• Can I borrow your book from you?
• Can I borrow you your book?

Practice

1 Could you - me your pen?

	lend
	borrow

2 Can I - your computer?

	lend
	borrow

3 You can - this DVD for 7 days.

	lend
	borrow

4 Could you - us a hand?

	lend
	borrow

5 How many books can I - at a time from this library?

	lend
	borrow