Giving or Given: When to Use Each with Helpful Examples

Understanding the nuances of language is crucial for effective communication, especially when dealing with verbs that describe the act of transferring something. The words “giving” and “given” are often confused, yet they represent distinct grammatical functions and meanings. Correctly employing these terms can significantly enhance clarity and precision in your writing and speech.

This article aims to demystify the usage of “giving” and “given,” providing clear explanations and practical examples. By the end, you will be equipped to confidently choose the right word for any situation.

Understanding “Giving”

The word “giving” is the present participle of the verb “to give.” It is used in several grammatical constructions. Primarily, it functions as part of a continuous verb tense.

This means it describes an action that is currently in progress. For instance, “She is giving a presentation” indicates that the presentation is happening right now. The action is ongoing and not yet completed.

Beyond continuous tenses, “giving” can also function as a gerund, acting as a noun. In this role, it names the act of giving itself. An example would be, “Giving to charity is a rewarding experience.” Here, “giving” is the subject of the sentence, representing the concept or activity.

Continuous Tenses with “Giving”

The present continuous tense, using “is/am/are + giving,” highlights an action happening at the moment of speaking. “They are giving thanks for their blessings.” This emphasizes the immediacy of the action.

The past continuous tense, employing “was/were + giving,” describes an action that was in progress at a specific point in the past. “He was giving directions when the phone rang.” This sets a scene where one ongoing action was interrupted by another.

The future continuous tense, formed with “will be + giving,” predicts an action that will be ongoing in the future. “Next week, we will be giving our final exams.” This anticipates a future event that will be in progress.

“Giving” as a Gerund (Noun)

When “giving” acts as a gerund, it behaves like a noun. It can be the subject of a sentence, object of a verb, or object of a preposition. “The act of giving makes people feel good.” In this sentence, “giving” is the subject.

Consider its use as an object. “I enjoy giving my time to volunteer work.” Here, “giving” is the direct object of the verb “enjoy.” It specifies what the speaker enjoys doing.

As an object of a preposition, it follows words like “of,” “for,” or “about.” “She spoke about giving constructive feedback.” The preposition “about” is followed by the gerund “giving.”

“Giving” in Phrasal Verbs and Idioms

The verb “give” forms numerous phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions where “giving” retains its present participle or gerund function. Examples include “giving up,” “giving in,” and “giving away.” “He is giving up smoking for his health.” This uses “giving up” as part of the present continuous tense.

Phrases like “giving someone the cold shoulder” illustrate its idiomatic use. “She felt he was giving her the cold shoulder.” This describes a specific social behavior.

Understanding these variations is key to grasping the versatility of “giving” in various contexts.

Understanding “Given”

The word “given” is the past participle of the verb “to give.” It has several primary uses, most notably in passive voice constructions and as an adjective.

As a past participle, it signifies a completed action. Unlike “giving,” which denotes an ongoing process, “given” refers to something that has already happened or been transferred.

It often appears with auxiliary verbs like “have,” “has,” or “had” to form perfect tenses, indicating an action completed before another point in time. “The prize has been given to the winner.” This passive construction emphasizes the recipient and the completed action.

Passive Voice with “Given”

In the passive voice, the subject receives the action. “Given” is used with forms of “to be” (is, am, are, was, were, been) to create passive sentences. “The book was given to me yesterday.” Here, the book is the subject and it received the action of being given.

This construction shifts focus from the doer of the action to the receiver. “Many opportunities were given to the students.” The emphasis is on the opportunities received, not on who gave them.

Perfect passive tenses also utilize “given.” “The award will have been given by then.” This indicates a completed action in the passive voice at a future point.

“Given” as an Adjective

When used as an adjective, “given” means specific, fixed, or already established. It often precedes a noun to describe a particular condition or circumstance. “Given the circumstances, we must proceed carefully.” Here, “given” means “considering” or “in light of.”

It can also imply something that is a prerequisite or a known fact. “A given amount of time was allocated for the task.” This suggests a predetermined or allotted duration.

This adjectival use is common in phrases that set a context for a statement or decision.

“Given” in Conditional Phrases

The phrase “given that” functions as a conjunction, introducing a clause that presents a condition or premise. “Given that it is raining, we should cancel the picnic.” This means “because it is raining” or “since it is raining.”

It sets up a logical consequence based on a stated fact. “Given that he studied diligently, he is likely to pass the exam.” The success is predicated on the prior diligent study.

This structure is useful for presenting reasoned arguments or explanations.

Comparing “Giving” and “Given” Directly

The core difference lies in tense and voice. “Giving” is active and ongoing (present participle), while “given” is passive and completed (past participle) or adjectival.

Active voice: “She is giving him a gift.” (Ongoing action) Passive voice: “He was given a gift.” (Completed action, recipient focus)

Consider the context: “I enjoy giving advice” (Gerund – the act of giving) versus “The advice given was helpful” (Adjective – the advice that was provided).

Examples of “Giving” in Action

Present Continuous: “The volunteers are giving out blankets to the homeless.” This highlights the current distribution.

Past Continuous: “He was giving his speech when the power went out.” This describes an action interrupted.

Gerund (Subject): “Giving blood saves lives.” This states a general truth about the act.

Gerund (Object): “She finds joy in giving to others.” This specifies the source of her joy.

Gerund (Object of Preposition): “The committee is focused on giving fair consideration to all applicants.” This details their focus.

Examples of “Given” in Action

Passive Voice (Present): “The award is given annually.” This states a regular, completed event.

Passive Voice (Past): “A warning was given about the storm.” This reports a past communication.

Passive Voice (Perfect): “The contract has been given to the legal team.” This indicates completion before now.

Adjective: “Given the complexity, we need more time.” This sets a condition based on complexity.

Conjunction (“Given that”): “Given that you are late, you will miss the start.” This establishes a reason for missing the start.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

A frequent error is using “given” where “giving” is needed in continuous tenses. For example, saying “He is given a present” instead of “He is receiving a present” or “He is being given a present” (passive continuous).

Conversely, using “giving” in a passive context where “given” is appropriate is also incorrect. “The book was giving to me” should be “The book was given to me.”

Remember: “Giving” implies an active, ongoing process or the act itself (gerund). “Given” implies a completed action (passive) or a pre-existing condition (adjective).

“Giving” vs. “Given” in Different Contexts

In a report about a charity event: “The organization is giving away meals.” (Active, ongoing) vs. “Meals were given to families in need.” (Passive, completed).

In a discussion about rules: “The referee is giving a penalty.” (Active, current) vs. “A penalty was given for the foul.” (Passive, past).

In academic writing: “The study focuses on giving participants choices.” (Gerund, the act) vs. “The results, given the methodology, are significant.” (Adjective, condition).

Mastering the Nuances

Practice is key. Try constructing sentences using both “giving” and “given” in various contexts. Pay attention to how auxiliary verbs change the meaning and structure.

Read widely and observe how native speakers and proficient writers employ these terms. Noticing the patterns in different types of texts will solidify your understanding.

Self-correction is invaluable. When reviewing your own writing, specifically check for correct usage of “giving” and “given,” referring back to these guidelines as needed.

The Role of Context

Context is paramount. The surrounding words and the overall meaning of the sentence dictate whether “giving” or “given” is the correct choice. Always consider the intended message.

Is the action in progress, or has it been completed? Is the subject performing the action, or is it receiving it? Is the word describing a state or condition?

Answering these questions will guide you to the appropriate verb form.

Advanced Usage: “Given” as a Prepositional Phrase

Beyond its adjectival and participial roles, “given” can function almost like a preposition when introducing a noun phrase. “Given his age, he is remarkably spry.” This is similar to “Considering his age.”

This usage is particularly common in formal or analytical writing to establish a basis for a subsequent statement.

It allows for a concise way to preface an observation with relevant background information.

Conclusion on Usage

Correctly differentiating between “giving” and “given” hinges on understanding their roles as present participles (active, ongoing) and past participles (passive, completed) or adjectives (pre-existing condition).

By focusing on the tense, voice, and specific meaning required by the context, you can confidently apply these terms.

Consistent practice and attention to detail will ensure accurate and effective communication.