Have you ever stopped while writing a sentence and wondered whether you should use giving or given? You are not alone. These two words come from the same verb, give, but they do not work the same way in a sentence. Choosing the wrong form can make a sentence sound awkward or grammatically incorrect.
The confusion usually happens because giving and given both describe an action related to giving something. However, their grammatical roles are different. Giving is the present participle or gerund form of give, while given is the past participle form. They appear in different verb structures and communicate different ideas.
For example, we say, “She is giving me advice,” but “She has given me advice.” The first sentence describes an action in progress. The second describes an action that has already happened.
Understanding giving or given becomes much easier once you know what comes before each word. In this guide, we will explain the difference, grammar rules, common mistakes, real-life examples, and easy tests you can use to choose the correct form every time. 😊 Who to Contact or Whom to Contact | Bespeckled or Bespectacled | Any Problem or Any Problems
Quick Answer: Giving or Given
Giving is the present participle or gerund form of give, and it is commonly used for an action that is happening or as a noun-like activity. Given is the past participle of give, and it is commonly used with forms of have or in passive constructions.
- Giving = an action happening now, continuing, or treated as an activity.
- Given = an action completed or used in a perfect or passive construction.
Examples:
- “He is giving a speech.”
- “He has given a speech.”
- “The award was given to her.”
- “Giving helpful advice is important.”
A simple way to remember the difference is:
Giving usually connects with an action in progress, while given usually connects with a completed action or passive structure.
Understanding the Basics: Giving or Given
The words giving and given are different forms of the irregular verb give.
The basic forms are:
- Base form: give
- Third-person singular: gives
- Present participle: giving
- Past tense: gave
- Past participle: given
The important point is that given is not the simple past form. The simple past form is gave.
For example:
- Present: “I give her a book.”
- Present continuous: “I am giving her a book.”
- Past: “I gave her a book.”
- Present perfect: “I have given her a book.”
- Passive: “The book was given to her.”
Comparison Table
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example | Correct/Incorrect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Give | Base verb | Present or general action | “I give advice.” | Correct |
| Gives | Present-tense verb | Action by he/she/it | “She gives advice.” | Correct |
| Giving | Present participle/gerund | Action in progress or activity | “She is giving advice.” | Correct |
| Gave | Simple past | Action completed in the past | “She gave advice.” | Correct |
| Given | Past participle | Completed action with auxiliary verbs or passive voice | “She has given advice.” | Correct |
The main difference is therefore not about meaning alone. It is about grammatical structure.
Correct Meanings and Uses of Giving
1. Giving for an Action Happening Now
Giving is used with forms of be to create the present continuous tense.
Examples:
- “I am giving a presentation.”
- “She is giving her brother a gift.”
- “They are giving instructions.”
- “He is giving us directions.”
In these sentences, the action is happening at the moment of speaking or around the current time.
Consider:
She is giving a speech.
- She = subject
- is = helping verb
- giving = present participle
- a speech = object
The structure is:
Subject + am/is/are + giving
This is one of the most common uses of giving.
2. Giving as a Gerund
Giving can also function as a noun. In this case, it is called a gerund.
Examples:
- “Giving is better than receiving.”
- “Giving advice can be difficult.”
- “Giving someone a second chance can be meaningful.”
- “Giving your time is valuable.”
Here, giving names an activity rather than describing an action currently happening.
For example:
Giving advice requires patience.
The word giving acts as the subject of the sentence.
3. Giving After a Preposition
A gerund can follow a preposition, so giving can appear in structures such as:
- “She is interested in giving advice.”
- “He apologized for giving the wrong information.”
- “They talked about giving the team another opportunity.”
The word giving works naturally because it functions as an -ing form after the preposition.
4. Giving in Continuous Verb Structures
Giving can appear in several continuous constructions.
Examples:
- “I am giving a lesson.”
- “I was giving a lesson.”
- “I will be giving a lesson.”
- “She has been giving lessons for years.”
The helping verb changes, but giving remains the present participle.
Test Tip
If the sentence contains am, is, are, was, or were immediately before the verb and describes an ongoing action, giving is often the correct choice.
Ask:
“Is the action happening or continuing?”
If yes, giving may be the correct form.
Correct Meanings and Uses of Given
1. Given as a Past Participle
Given is the past participle of give.
A past participle normally does not work alone as the simple past tense.
Incorrect:
- “Yesterday, she given me a book.”
Correct:
- “Yesterday, she gave me a book.”
However, given becomes correct when used with an appropriate auxiliary verb:
- “She has given me a book.”
- “She had given me a book.”
- “She was given a book.”
2. Given With Have, Has, or Had
One of the most important uses of given is after forms of have.
Examples:
- “I have given him the information.”
- “She has given me permission.”
- “They have given us enough time.”
- “He had given the matter careful thought.”
The structure is:
have/has/had + given
This creates perfect verb constructions.
Compare:
- “She gave me the answer yesterday.”
- “She has given me the answer already.”
Both can be correct, but they use different grammatical structures.
3. Given in the Passive Voice
Given is also common in passive sentences.
Examples:
- “The award was given to the winner.”
- “The students were given extra time.”
- “He was given a second opportunity.”
- “The instructions were given clearly.”
The structure often looks like:
Subject + be + given
For example:
The students were given extra time.
Here, the students receive the action rather than performing it.
4. Given as an Adjective
Given can also function as an adjective in some contexts.
Examples:
- “At any given time, hundreds of people may be online.”
- “For a given situation, this solution is reasonable.”
- “The results depend on the given conditions.”
Here, given describes something that has been specified, provided, or established.
This use is different from the verb form in “She has given me a book.”
5. Given Meaning “Considering”
Given can also introduce a condition or fact that should be considered.
Examples:
- “Given the weather, we decided to stay home.”
- “Given the circumstances, the decision was understandable.”
- “Given his experience, he handled the situation well.”
In these sentences, given means something similar to considering or taking into account.
This is an important special use because given does not always mean that someone physically handed something to someone.
Test Tip
Look at the words around given.
If you see:
- has given
- have given
- had given
- was given
- were given
then given is usually functioning as the past participle.
If given means “considering,” it may introduce a condition or circumstance:
“Given the circumstances…”
Giving or Given in Sentence Comparisons
Seeing the two forms side by side makes the difference easier to understand.
Example 1
She is giving me the report.
The action is happening now.
She has given me the report.
The action has already happened.
Example 2
They are giving us instructions.
The instructions are being provided now.
They have given us instructions.
The instructions have already been provided.
Example 3
He was giving a presentation.
The presentation was in progress at that time.
He was given a presentation.
He received a presentation.
Notice how the same basic word can produce a completely different grammatical structure.
Giving or Given: Why the Difference Matters
Choosing between giving and given is not simply a spelling choice. The form can change the tense, voice, and meaning of a sentence.
Compare:
“She is giving the students homework.”
This means she is assigning or providing homework.
Now compare:
“The students were given homework.”
This means the students received homework.
The first sentence uses giving because the subject is performing an ongoing action.
The second sentence uses given because the sentence is passive.
This distinction is especially important in formal writing, academic work, emails, reports, and professional communication.
Case Study: A Workplace Email
Imagine that a manager is writing an email to employees.
An employee writes:
“The manager is given us new instructions.”
This sentence is incorrect.
The correct sentence is:
“The manager is giving us new instructions.”
Why?
Because the manager is performing the action, and the action is happening now.
Now consider:
“The manager has given us new instructions.”
This is also correct, but the meaning changes. The instructions have already been provided.
Another example is:
“We were given new instructions by the manager.”
This is passive voice. The employees received the instructions.
The Three Structures
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The manager is giving us instructions. | The action is happening now. |
| The manager has given us instructions. | The action has already happened. |
| We were given instructions. | We received the instructions. |
This example shows why understanding the surrounding grammar is more useful than memorizing one isolated rule.
Grammar Rules for Giving or Given
The verb give is irregular. Its forms do not follow the regular pattern of adding -ed.
The principal forms are:
give → gave → given
The -ing form is:
give → giving
This produces two important patterns.
Rule 1: Use Giving for Continuous Actions
Use giving after forms of be when describing an ongoing action.
Examples:
- “She is giving a lecture.”
- “They were giving instructions.”
- “I am giving him some advice.”
Rule 2: Use Given With Perfect Tenses
Use given after have, has, or had when forming a perfect construction.
Examples:
- “I have given my answer.”
- “She has given us permission.”
- “They had given him enough time.”
Rule 3: Use Given in Passive Structures
Use given after forms of be when the subject receives the action.
Examples:
- “He was given a chance.”
- “They were given new assignments.”
- “The award was given to the winner.”
Rule 4: Do Not Use Given as Simple Past
The simple past form of give is gave, not given.
Incorrect:
- “She given me the book yesterday.”
Correct:
- “She gave me the book yesterday.”
Also correct:
- “She has given me the book.”
This is one of the most common mistakes involving giving or given.
Standard dictionaries such as Merriam-Webster distinguish the principal forms of irregular verbs like give, which helps confirm that gave is the past-tense form and given is the past participle.
Common Mistakes With Giving or Given
Why do people confuse these forms?
There are several common reasons.
1. Fast Typing
When people type quickly, they may focus on meaning rather than grammar.
For example:
“She has gave me the information.”
The writer knows that the action happened, but the structure requires a past participle after has.
Correct:
“She has given me the information.”
2. Autocorrect
Autocorrect can sometimes change words or fail to recognize a grammatical problem.
A sentence may look correct at first glance even when the verb form does not match the helping verb.
Always read the complete sentence after typing.
3. Lack of Knowledge
Some learners memorize:
give → gave → given
but do not learn when each form should be used.
Knowing the forms is helpful, but understanding the sentence structure is much more important.
4. Confusing Past Tense With Past Participle
This is the biggest issue.
Remember:
- gave = simple past
- given = past participle
- giving = present participle/gerund
For example:
- “I gave her the book.”
- “I have given her the book.”
- “I am giving her the book.”
Similar Grammar Confusions
The confusion between giving or given is part of a larger pattern in English. Many words are confused because they look or sound similar.
| Common Confusion | Correct Difference |
|---|---|
| its / it’s | its shows possession; it’s means “it is” or “it has” |
| your / you’re | your shows possession; you’re means “you are” |
| their / they’re / there | Possession, “they are,” and place/existence |
| then / than | then relates to time; than is used for comparison |
| affect / effect | Usually affect is a verb and effect is a noun, though both have other uses |
| gave / given | gave is simple past; given is past participle |
| giving / given | giving is an -ing form; given is a past participle and has other uses |
Learning these patterns can make your writing much more accurate.
Giving or Given in Everyday Conversation
In everyday speech, both words are extremely common.
Giving
Examples:
- “I am giving you one more chance.”
- “She is giving me a ride.”
- “They are giving away free samples.”
- “Thanks for giving me your time.”
Given
Examples:
- “He has given me good advice.”
- “She was given a chance.”
- “They had given us enough information.”
- “Given the time, we should leave.”
The correct choice depends on the grammatical structure.
Giving or Given in Professional Writing
Professional communication requires clear verb forms.
Consider these examples:
❌ “The company has giving employees new benefits.”
Correct:
✅ “The company has given employees new benefits.”
Why? Has requires the past participle given.
Now consider:
❌ “The company is given employees new benefits.”
Correct:
✅ “The company is giving employees new benefits.”
Why? Is plus an ongoing action requires the present participle giving.
In workplace writing, small grammatical errors can distract readers from the main message. Correct verb forms make reports, emails, proposals, and instructions easier to understand.
Giving or Given in Creative Writing
Creative writers use both forms to control time and perspective.
Examples with giving:
- “The old man was giving advice to everyone who passed.”
- “She kept giving him reasons to stay.”
- “Giving people hope was important to her.”
Examples with given:
- “He had given everything he could.”
- “She was given one final opportunity.”
- “Given the darkness around them, they moved carefully.”
The choice helps readers understand whether an action is ongoing, completed, received, or presented as a condition.
Giving or Given in Social Media and Texting
Informal digital communication often ignores some grammar rules, but the distinction between giving and given can still affect clarity.
Examples:
- “I’m giving away two tickets.”
- “She’s giving me great advice.”
- “You have given me so much support.”
- “Given the situation, I think we should wait.”
Texting may be casual, but correct grammar is useful when the message needs to be clear.
For formal posts, captions, announcements, school assignments, or professional messages, it is better to use the correct form.
Why Giving or Given Matters
1. Clarity in Communication
Correct verb forms tell readers when an action happened and how the action relates to the subject.
Compare:
- “She is giving the report.”
- “She has given the report.”
The first describes an ongoing action. The second describes an action already completed.
2. Professionalism
Correct grammar can make professional writing easier to read and understand.
A sentence such as:
“The team has given its approval.”
is clear and grammatically complete.
3. Digital Communication Accuracy
Emails, messages, social media posts, and online documents are often read quickly. Clear grammar helps prevent confusion.
4. Better Academic Writing
Students frequently use perfect tenses and passive voice in essays and reports. Understanding given is therefore especially useful.
A useful reminder is:
“Small grammar choices can make big differences in meaning.”
Special Uses and Exceptions
There is no major exception in which giving suddenly becomes the past participle of give. The basic distinction remains consistent:
give → gave → given
However, given has uses beyond its role as a past participle.
Given as a Condition
Examples:
- “Given the circumstances, we left early.”
- “Given the evidence, the conclusion was reasonable.”
- “Given the amount of work, the deadline was challenging.”
Here, given has a meaning close to considering.
Given as an Adjective
Examples:
- “At any given moment, things can change.”
- “The answer depends on the given information.”
- “Under the given conditions, the experiment worked.”
This means given can have a grammatical role beyond the basic verb construction.
Giving as a Noun-Like Activity
Examples:
- “Giving can be rewarding.”
- “Giving to others requires generosity.”
- “Giving is an important part of the organization’s mission.”
In these examples, giving acts as a gerund.
A Simple Trick to Choose Between Giving or Given
Use this three-step test.
Step 1: Look at the Helping Verb
If you see:
am / is / are / was / were
ask whether the action is ongoing.
- “She is giving a speech.” ✅
- “They were giving instructions.” ✅
If the sentence is passive, however, given may be correct:
- “She was given a speech opportunity.” ✅
- “They were given instructions.” ✅
Step 2: Look for Have, Has, or Had
If you see:
have / has / had
use given.
- “I have given my answer.”
- “She has given permission.”
- “They had given enough notice.”
Step 3: Ask What the Sentence Means
Ask:
Is someone performing an ongoing action?
If yes, giving may be correct.
Ask:
Has the action been completed, or is someone receiving the action?
If yes, given may be correct.
Quick Recap Checklist
| Question | If Yes → Use |
|---|---|
| Is the action happening now? | Giving |
| Is the word used as an activity or gerund? | Giving |
| Does the sentence use “am/is/are” for an ongoing action? | Giving |
| Does the sentence use “have/has/had”? | Given |
| Is the sentence in the passive voice? | Given |
| Does the word mean “considering”? | Given |
| Is the sentence simple past? | Gave, not giving or given |
Practice Example 1
“She is ___ us directions.”
Answer: giving
Complete sentence:
“She is giving us directions.”
The action is happening now.
Practice Example 2
“She has ___ us directions.”
Answer: given
Complete sentence:
“She has given us directions.”
The sentence uses has, so the past participle given is needed.
Practice Example 3
“She ___ us directions yesterday.”
Answer: gave
Complete sentence:
“She gave us directions yesterday.”
The sentence is in the simple past, so neither giving nor given is correct.
FAQs
1. Is “giving” correct grammar?
Yes. Giving is the present participle and gerund form of give. It is commonly used in continuous verb structures and when describing the activity of giving.
Example:
“She is giving me advice.”
2. Is “given” the past tense of “give”?
No. The simple past of give is gave. Given is the past participle.
The three important forms are:
- Present: give
- Past: gave
- Past participle: given
3. When should I use “given” instead of “giving”?
Use given when the grammar requires the past participle, such as after have, has, or had, or in many passive constructions.
Examples:
- “She has given me the information.”
- “I was given another opportunity.”
Use giving for an ongoing action:
- “She is giving me the information.”
4. Is “I have gave” correct?
No. In standard English, I have gave is incorrect.
The correct sentence is:
“I have given.”
The verb after have must be the past participle, which is given.
5. Is “I am given” correct?
Yes, but the meaning is different from I am giving.
I am giving means you are performing the action.
“I am giving him a book.”
I am given is passive and means someone gives something to you.
“I am given a book.”
The two forms have different meanings.
6. Can “given” mean “considering”?
Yes. Given can introduce a fact or circumstance that should be considered.
Examples:
- “Given the weather, we stayed home.”
- “Given the circumstances, that was a reasonable choice.”
In this use, given is similar to considering.
Conclusion
The difference between giving or given becomes simple once you understand their grammatical roles. Giving is the present participle or gerund form of give, while given is the past participle. Giving commonly describes an ongoing action or an activity, as in “She is giving a presentation.” Given commonly appears after have, has, or had, or in passive constructions, as in “She has given a presentation” or “She was given an opportunity.”
Remember that gave is the simple past form, so “She gave me the book” is correct, while “She given me the book” is not.
When you are unsure, look at the words around the verb. Am/is/are/was/were + giving often describes an ongoing action, while have/has/had + given creates a perfect construction. If the sentence is passive, given may also be required.
The key rule is easy to remember:
Give, gave, given — and giving for the -ing form.
Once you learn the structure around each form, choosing between giving and given becomes much easier—and your writing becomes clearer, more accurate, and more professional. ✨
Hi, I am Ava Mitchell. I work at Synolixa as an English content writer, creating simple and useful resources about synonyms, vocabulary, and English usage.
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