What's the Difference Between 'Borrow' and 'Lend'?
In this blog post we look at when to use borrow and when to use lend.
'Borrow' or 'Lend'?
"Borrow" and "lend" are related but opposite terms in the context of lending or borrowing something.
"Borrow" refers to the act of taking something temporarily with the intention of returning it later.
For example, you might borrow a book from a friend, with the expectation that you will return it in a few days.
"Lend" refers to the act of giving something temporarily with the expectation that it will be returned later.
For example, a friend might lend you a book, with the expectation that you will return it in a few days.
In summary, "borrow" refers to the act of taking something, while "lend" refers to the act of giving something. They are opposite actions, but they are related because they both involve the temporary transfer of an item with the expectation that it will be returned.
Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference between "borrow" and "lend":
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"I need to borrow your car for the weekend." - In this sentence, "borrow" is used to express the act of taking something temporarily (the car) with the intention of returning it later.
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"Can you lend me some money until next week?" - In this sentence, "lend" is used to express the act of giving something temporarily (the money) with the expectation that it will be returned later.
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"I borrowed my sister's dress for the party" - In this sentence, "borrow" is used to express the act of taking something temporarily (the dress) with the intention of returning it later.
"I will lend you my camera for the trip, but you need to take good care of it." - In this sentence, "lend" is used to express the act of giving something temporarily (the camera) with the expectation that it will be returned later.
Examples of Borrow in a Sentence
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I'm going to borrow a pencil from my neighbor.
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I borrowed my sister's car for the day.
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I will have to borrow money from the bank to pay for the trip.
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The library allows you to borrow books for two weeks.
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I borrowed my friend's guitar to practice for the concert.
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He borrowed his father's suit for the wedding.
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I can't go to the party, I have to borrow a dress first.
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She borrowed a dress from her friend for the prom.
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The students are allowed to borrow laptops from the school.
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I borrowed a book from the library on how to fix a car.
Examples of Lend in a Sentence
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Can you lend me your notes for the exam?
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He lent me his car for the weekend.
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I will lend you my book if you promise to return it on time.
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She lent her sister some money to pay the rent.
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The bank lends money to qualified applicants.
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I lent my friend my camera for her vacation.
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He lent his father his tools to fix the car.
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I will lend you my umbrella, it looks like it's going to rain.
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She lent a helping hand to the new employee.
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The company lends its employees laptops for work.
