Understanding giving or given can feel confusing at first, especially if you’re learning English or trying to write more clearly. These two words look similar, come from the same root verb, and often appear in similar contexts but they serve very different purposes.
In this guide, you’ll learn the exact difference between giving and given, when to use each one, and how to avoid common mistakes. If you’re a student, writer, or professional, this simple breakdown will help you use both forms confidently and correctly.
Quick Answer
- Giving = present participle (used for ongoing actions)
- Given = past participle (used for completed actions or with helping verbs)
Example:
- She is giving a speech right now.
- She has given many speeches before.
What Does “Giving” Mean?
Giving is the present participle form of the verb “give.” It describes an action that is happening right now or is ongoing.
Common Uses of “Giving”
- Continuous tenses
- As a gerund (acting like a noun)
- Describing ongoing actions
Examples of “Giving”
- He is giving his friend a gift.
- They are giving their best effort in the project.
- Giving is better than receiving.
In these examples, the action is either happening now or being discussed in a general sense.
What Does “Given” Mean?
Given is the past participle form of “give.” It is used for actions that are already completed or in perfect tenses.
Common Uses of “Given”
- Perfect tenses (has/have/had)
- Passive voice
- As an adjective
Examples of “Given”
- She has given her answer.
- The teacher had given us homework.
- The instructions given were clear.
Here, the action is completed or refers to something already done.
Key Difference Between Giving or Given
The main difference lies in time and function.
| Aspect | Giving | Given |
| Form | Present participle | Past participle |
| Time | Ongoing action | Completed action |
| Usage | Continuous tenses, gerunds | Perfect tenses, passive voice |
| Example | He is giving help | He has given help |
Easy Trick to Remember
- If the action is happening now → use “giving”
- If the action is already finished → use “given”
Think of it this way:
“-ing = in progress, -en = ended”
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Many learners mix up giving or given because both come from the same verb. Let’s fix the most common errors.
1. Using “Given” in Continuous Tense
❌ He is given a gift
✔ He is giving a gift
👉 Use giving with “is/are/am.”
2. Using “Giving” in Perfect Tense
❌ She has giving me advice
✔ She has given me advice
👉 Use given with “has/have/had.”
3. Confusing Adjective Use
❌ The teacher is giving instructions yesterday
✔ The teacher gave instructions yesterday
✔ The instructions given were helpful
👉 Use given when describing something already provided.
4. Mixing Verb Forms
❌ He had giving the book
✔ He had given the book
👉 After “had,” always use given.
Giving vs Given in Sentences (Side-by-Side)
Here are direct comparisons to make things crystal clear:
- She is giving a presentation → happening now
- She has given a presentation → already done
- They are giving support → ongoing
- They have given support → completed
- I enjoy giving gifts → general activity
- The gifts given were expensive → description of past action
American vs British English Usage
Good news: there is no difference between American and British English when it comes to giving or given.
Both forms follow the same grammar rules in:
- 🇺🇸 American English
- 🇬🇧 British English
However, sentence style and vocabulary around them may vary slightly, but the verb forms remain identical.
Related Words and Synonyms (LSI Keywords)
Using related words can improve your writing and SEO naturally.
Synonyms of “Giving”
- Offering
- Providing
- Delivering
- Donating
- Presenting
Synonyms of “Given”
- Provided
- Supplied
- Granted
- Delivered
- Assigned
Related Phrases
- Giving help
- Giving advice
- Given time
- Given situation
- Given circumstances
When “Given” Acts as a Preposition
Interestingly, given can also act as a preposition meaning “considering” or “taking into account.”
Examples:
- Given the weather, we stayed home.
- Given his experience, he is the best choice.
This usage is very common in formal and professional writing.
FAQs
1. Can I use “giving” as a noun?
Yes. “Giving” can act as a gerund (noun).
Example: Giving is an act of kindness.
2. Is “given” always past tense?
Not exactly. It’s a past participle, used with helping verbs or as an adjective.
3. Which is correct: “has giving” or “has given”?
✔ Correct: has given
❌ Incorrect: has giving
4. Can “given” start a sentence?
Yes.
Example: Given the situation, we made a quick decision.
5. Is “giving” formal or informal?
It’s neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
6. What tense uses “giving”?
It’s used in continuous tenses (present, past, future continuous).
7. Can “given” be used without a verb?
Yes, as an adjective or preposition.
Example: The results given were accurate.
8. Why do people confuse giving or given?
Because both come from “give” and look similar, but they serve different grammatical roles.
Final Summary
Understanding the difference between giving or given comes down to recognizing time and grammar structure. “Giving” is used for actions that are happening now or ongoing, while “given” refers to actions that are completed or connected to perfect tenses.
Once you grasp this core idea, choosing the correct form becomes much easier. Both forms are essential in everyday English, and mastering them will instantly improve your writing and speaking clarity.
From casual conversations to professional communication, using the right form shows confidence and accuracy.
Actionable Takeaway
Next time you write or speak, pause and ask yourself:
👉 Is the action happening now? Use giving
👉 Is the action already done? Use given
Practice with simple sentences daily, and soon this distinction will feel completely natural.
Kylee Jennifer is a contributing author at SyntaxlyHub, focused on simplifying grammar rules and language concepts. She writes clear, learner-friendly content that helps readers improve sentence structure, writing accuracy, and overall confidence in English through practical examples and easy explanations for academic, professional, and everyday communication.
