Giving or Given? When to Use Each (With Examples)

Giving or Given? When to Use Each (With Examples) helps writers understand an important part of the English language with simple explanations and practical examples for better writing. Many people think this word choice is difficult, but with a better understanding, it becomes simpler than it may seem. 

Giving means a present action, such as handing or handing something to someone, offering an offer, offering help, or giving advice, while Given can refer to a past action because it is the past participle of give, as shown in the example, “she has given her a book.” It can also serve as a preposition, a qualifier, or a qualifier for a situation, as in “given the circumstances,” considering the situation or circumstances. In my own writing, I always remember to use Giving for an action happening now and use Given for something that happened before or due to a condition. 

This habit makes sentences clearer, helps sharpen writing skills, improves overall use, and reminds me that he is giving him advice, while she has given her a book. Depending on when you use each, using the right form can help you act cautiously while choosing either one or the other, not only to create better sentences of every kind than before in any book.

Giving vs. Given: What’s the Difference?

The easiest way to understand these words is to remember one simple rule:

• Giving describes an action that is happening or continuing.
• Given usually describes an action that has already been completed or introduces a condition.

Although they share the same base verb, they perform different jobs in a sentence.

Word	Grammar Role	Main Use	Example
Giving	Present participle / Gerund	Ongoing action	She is giving a presentation.
Given	Past participle / Preposition / Adjective	Completed action or condition	He has given me the keys.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Giving	Given
Base verb	Give	Give
Verb form	Present participle	Past participle
Shows	Ongoing action	Completed action
Can be a preposition	No	Yes
Can describe a condition	No	Yes

Why People Confuse Them

The confusion happens because both words come from the same verb.

Compare these sentences:

• She is giving her friend advice.
• She has given her friend advice.

Only one word changes, yet the time of the action changes completely.

The first sentence describes something happening now.

The second tells you the action has already happened.

That small difference matters in everyday writing and speaking.

Quick Tip: If the action is still happening, choose Giving. If the action is finished, choose Given.

Understanding “Giving” in English Grammar

Giving is the present participle of the verb give. English uses the present participle in continuous verb tenses and sometimes as a noun or adjective.

Most of the time, giving answers to one simple question:

What action is happening right now?

For example:

• Emma is giving a speech.
• They’re giving free samples today.
• We were giving directions when the storm started.

Each sentence describes an action that continues over a period of time.

What Does “Giving” Mean?

At its core, giving means transferring something from one person to another.

That “something” isn’t always physical.

You can give:

• Money
• Time
• Advice
• Support
• Permission
• Attention
• Information
• Gifts
• Love
• Opportunities

For example:

Sentence	What Is Being Given?
She’s giving me a book.	A physical object
He’s giving helpful advice.	Information
They’re giving us another chance.	An opportunity
The teacher is giving homework.	An assignment
My parents are giving full support.	Emotional support

Notice how the object changes while the grammar stays the same.

“Giving” as the Present Participle of “Give”

Every regular and irregular English verb has several forms.

Forgive, those forms are:

Verb Form	Example
Base Form	give
Third Person Singular	gives
Past Tense	gave
Past Participle	given
Present Participle	giving

The present participle almost always ends in -ing.

That doesn’t automatically make it a continuous tense.

Instead, it works together with helping verbs like:

• am
• is
• are
• was
• were
• have been
• has been
• had been
• will be

Examples:

• I am giving a lecture.
• They are giving interviews.
• She was giving piano lessons.
• We have been giving donations for years.

The helping verb tells you the tense.

The word giving tells you the action is continuing.

When to Use “Giving” in a Sentence

You’ll normally use giving whenever an action is:

• Happening now
• Continuing over time
• Repeated during a period
• Still in progress

Here are several common situations.

Present Continuous

The action is happening right now.

Examples:

• She is giving a presentation.
• They’re giving interviews today.
• I’m giving this recipe another try.

Past Continuous

The action was happening at a specific time in the past.

Examples:

• We were giving directions when it started raining.
• He was giving a speech during the ceremony.

Future Continuous

The action will happen in the future.

Examples:

• Tomorrow I’ll be giving a workshop.
• This time next week, they’ll be giving final exams.

Perfect Continuous

The action started earlier and continues.

Examples:

• She has been giving music lessons since January.
• We’ve been giving blood every year.

Common Examples of “Giving”

Sometimes examples teach grammar better than long explanations.

Here are everyday sentences you might hear.

Situation	Example
School	The teacher is giving instructions.
Business	Our manager is giving feedback today.
Family	Mom is hugging everyone.
Healthcare	The nurse is giving the patient medicine.
Sports	The coach is advising the game.
Customer Service	They’re giving refunds this week.
Charity	Volunteers are giving food to families.

Notice something interesting.

The object after giving changes constantly.

The grammar never does.

That’s one reason English speakers become comfortable using this form naturally.

Common Expressions That Use “Giving”

English includes many expressions built around giving.

Learning these phrases makes your writing sound more natural.

Some of the most common include:

• Giving advice
• Giving permission
• Giving thanks
• Giving directions
• Giving instructions
• Giving someone a chance
• Giving a speech
• Giving support
• Giving a gift
• Giving feedback
• Giving compliments
• Giving attention
• Giving an answer
• Giving credit
• Giving notice

Example Sentences

• The professor is giving detailed feedback.
• My parents are giving me great advice.
• The company is giving employees extra vacation days.
• She’s giving everyone another opportunity to improve.
• The guide is giving tourists clear directions.

The more authentic examples you read, the easier it becomes to recognize the correct usage without stopping to think about grammar rules.

Understanding “Given” in English Grammar

Once you understand giving, the next step is learning how Given works. Although both words come from the verb give, they perform very different jobs in English grammar.

Given is much more flexible than Giving. Depending on the sentence, it can function as:

• A past participle
• An adjective
• A preposition

That’s why you’ll often see Given in perfect tenses, passive voice, and expressions that introduce a reason or condition.

Consider these examples:

• She has given me excellent advice.
• The award was given to the winner.
• Given the weather, we’ll stay indoors.

Each sentence uses the same word, but its grammatical role changes.

Understanding these differences makes your writing more accurate and natural.

What Does “Given” Mean?

The meaning of Given depends on how it appears in a sentence.

Most commonly, it means something has already been provided, offered, handed over, assigned, or received.

Examples include:

• A gift has been given.
• Instructions were given.
• Permission has been given.
• Support was given.
• The answer was given yesterday.

Sometimes Given doesn’t describe an action at all.

Instead, it introduces a condition.

For example:

Given the current traffic, we’ll arrive late.

Here, Given means considering or taking into account.

“Given” as the Past Participle of “Give”

The most common use of Given is as the past participle of give.

Unlike the simple past tense (gave), the past participle cannot usually stand alone as the main verb.

Instead, it works with helping verbs such as:

• has
• have
• had
• is
• was
• were
• been

Verb Forms of “Give”

Verb Form	Example
Base Form	give
Present	gives
Past Tense	gave
Past Participle	given
Present Participle	giving

Notice that English uses given, not gave, in perfect tenses.

Correct:

• She has given me a chance.
• They have permitted us.

Incorrect:

• She has given me a chance.

This mistake is one of the most common grammar errors among English learners.

Using “Given” in Perfect Tenses

Perfect tenses connect a completed action with another point in time.

Present Perfect

The action happened before now, but it still matters.

Examples:

• He has given several interviews.
• They’ve given us enough information.
• The teacher has given everyone extra time.

Past Perfect

The action happened before another past event.

Examples:

• She had given her presentation before lunch.
• They had given the report to management.

Future Perfect

The action will be completed before a future time.

Examples:

• By tomorrow, I’ll have given my final answer.
• She will have given the presentation before noon.

Quick Comparison

Tense	Example
Present Perfect	We have given our response.
Past Perfect	They had given permission earlier.
Future Perfect	He will have given the speech by Friday.

Whenever you see has, have, or had, there’s a good chance the correct word is given, not giving.

“Given” in Passive Voice

Another common place you’ll find Given is in passive voice.

Passive voice shifts the focus from the person acting to the person or thing receiving it.

Compare these sentences.

Active Voice

• The manager gave everyone bonuses.

Passive Voice

• Bonuses were given to everyone.

Both sentences are correct.

The first highlights the manager.

The second emphasizes the bonuses.

More Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice
The teacher gave homework.	Homework was given.
The judge gave the verdict.	The verdict was given.
The company gave refunds.	Refunds were given.
My friend gave me advice.	Advice was given to me.

In modern writing, the active voice often sounds clearer and more direct.

However, passive voice works well when:

• The person acting isn’t important.
• The performer is unknown.
• The result matters more than the actor.

“Given” as a Preposition

Many people don’t realize that Given can also function as a preposition.

In this role, it means:

• Considering
• Taking into account
• Because of

This usage appears frequently in business writing, academic papers, journalism, and professional communication.

Examples

• Given the circumstances, we postponed the meeting.
• Given today’s weather, the event moved indoors.
• Given your experience, you’ll probably solve it quickly.
• Given the available evidence, the decision makes sense.
• Given current market conditions, prices may rise.

Notice that these sentences don’t describe giving something.

Instead, Given introduces information that explains why something happens.

Think of it as another way to say:

• Considering…
• Because of…
• In light of…

Common Expressions with “Given” as a Preposition

You’ll often encounter these combinations:

• Given the circumstances
• Given the situation
• Given the evidence
• Given the facts
• Given the time available
• Given your experience
• Given today’s economy
• Given the risks
• Given current trends
• Given this information

These expressions make writing sound concise and professional.

“Given” as an Adjective

Although less common, Given can also act as an adjective.

When used this way, it describes something that is fixed, specified, assumed, or already known.

Examples

• At any given moment, anything can happen.
• Choose any given number.
• For a given problem, there may be several solutions.
• A given situation requires careful thinking.

Here, given doesn’t mean “provided.”

Instead, it identifies something specific.

Common Adjective Phrases

You’ll frequently hear:

• At a given time
• A given day
• A given amount
• A given number
• A given condition
• A given point
• A given location

These expressions appear regularly in mathematics, science, engineering, economics, and technical writing.

Example:

At any given time, thousands of airplanes are flying around the world.

Everyday Examples of “Given”

Learning grammar through real situations makes it much easier to remember.

At School

• The teacher has given us extra homework.
• Students were given more time for the exam.
• Given the difficult questions, everyone studied harder.

At Work

• Employees have given valuable feedback.
• New responsibilities were given to experienced staff.
• Given the deadline, everyone worked efficiently.

At Home

• Dad has given me the car keys.
• The dog was given fresh water.
• Given the rain, we stayed inside.

In Healthcare

• The patient was given medication.
• Doctors have given positive updates.
• Given the symptoms, additional tests were ordered.

Quick Tip: Ask Yourself One Question

Whenever you’re unsure which word to choose, ask yourself:

Is the action still happening?

If yes, use Giving.

Has the action already happened, or does the sentence introduce a condition?

If yes, use Given.

That one question solves most grammar mistakes involving these two words.

Giving vs. Given: Side-by-Side Comparison

Now that you’ve learned what Giving and Given mean individually, it’s time to compare them directly. Looking at both words side by side makes it much easier to remember when each one belongs in a sentence.

The biggest difference is simple:

• Giving focuses on an action that is currently happening or continuing.
• Given focuses on an action that is already complete or introduces a condition.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Giving	Given
Base verb	Give	Give
Verb form	Present participle	Past participle
Shows	Ongoing action	Completed action
Used in	Continuous tenses	Perfect tenses
Passive voice	No	Yes
Can be a preposition	No	Yes
Can be an adjective	No	Yes
Example	She is giving a speech.	She has given a speech.

This table covers most situations you’ll encounter in everyday English.

Think About Time

A helpful way to choose between these words is to think about when the action happens.

Time	Correct Word	Example
Happening now	Giving	They’re giving free samples.
Already finished	Given	They’ve given free samples.
Introducing a condition	Given	Given the weather, we’ll stay home.

If the action is still in progress, use Giving.

If the action has already finished, use Given.

A Simple Timeline

Past ——————- Present ——————- Future Given ✔ Giving ✔ Giving ✔ Completed Happening Now Continuing

This visual reminder works well because English tenses are built around time.

When to Use “Giving”

Although Giving seems straightforward, it appears in several grammatical patterns. Understanding each one will help you write naturally and avoid common mistakes.

Use “Giving” in Continuous Tenses

Continuous tenses describe actions that continue over a period of time.

They answer questions like:

• What’s happening now?
• What was happening?
• What will be happening?

Present Continuous

Structure:

Subject + am/is/are + giving

Examples:

• She is giving a presentation.
• They’re giving free lessons this weekend.
• I’m giving my full attention to the project.

These actions are happening now.

Past Continuous

Structure:

Subject + was/were + giving

Examples:

• We were giving interviews yesterday.
• He was giving driving lessons before lunch.
• They were giving away books during the event.

The action was happening at a specific time in the past.

Future Continuous

Structure:

Subject + will be + giving

Examples:

• Tomorrow I’ll be giving a workshop.
• She’ll be giving a speech next Friday.
• They’ll be giving demonstrations throughout the conference.

These actions are expected to continue in the future.

Present Perfect Continuous

Structure:

Subject + has/have been + giving

Examples:

• We’ve been giving blood every year.
• She’s been giving piano lessons since 2020.
• They’ve been giving excellent customer service for decades.

This tense emphasizes duration.

Common Sentence Patterns with “Giving”

English uses Giving in many predictable sentence structures.

Pattern One

Subject + be + giving + object

Examples:

• Sarah is giving a lecture.
• The coach is giving instructions.
• My parents are giving us advice.

Pattern Two

Subject + have been + giving + object

Examples:

• We’ve been giving donations.
• They’ve been giving honest feedback.
• She’s been giving interviews.

Pattern Three

Giving + noun

Examples:

• Giving advice takes patience.
• Giving compliments builds confidence.
• Giving thanks shows gratitude.

Here, giving acts as a gerund, meaning it functions like a noun.

When to Use “Given”

Unlike giving, Given works in several different grammatical roles.

You’ll commonly see it in:

• Perfect tenses
• Passive voice
• Conditional expressions
• Formal writing
• Academic writing

Use “Given” in Perfect Tenses

Perfect tenses always use the past participle.

For the verb give, that past participle is given.

Examples:

• She has given permission.
• We have given our answer.
• They had given enough evidence.
• I’ll have given my report before noon.

Whenever you see has, have, or had, check whether the verb should be given.

Use “Given” in Passive Voice

Passive voice emphasizes the receiver rather than the performer.

Examples:

Active:

• The company gave employees bonuses.

Passive:

• Employees were given bonuses.

Another example:

Active:

• The doctor gave the patient medicine.

Passive:

• The patient was given medicine.

Both versions are grammatically correct.

Active voice usually sounds more direct, while passive voice helps emphasize results or outcomes.

Use “Given” to Introduce a Condition

This is one of the most useful meanings of Given.

Instead of talking about an action, Given can introduce information that explains another statement.

Examples:

• Given the weather, we’ll cancel the trip.
• Given your experience, you’ll finish quickly.
• Given today’s prices, buying now makes sense.
• Given the evidence, the jury reached a decision.

You could replace Given with:

• Considering
• Because of
• In light of
• Taking into account

The meaning stays almost the same.

Grammar Rules You Should Remember

These simple rules eliminate most mistakes.

Rule One

Continuous tense?

Use Giving.

✔ She is giving a speech.

✘ She is given a speech.

Rule Two

Perfect tense?

Use Given.

✔ She has given her answer.

✘ She has given her answer.

Rule Three

Passive voice?

Use Given.

✔ The award was given yesterday.

✘ The award was given yesterday.

Rule Four

Introducing a condition?

Use Given.

✔ Given the circumstances, we waited.

✘ Given the circumstances, we waited.

A Quick Memory Trick

If you’re still unsure, remember this phrase:

Giving is happening. Given has happened.

It’s short, easy to remember, and correct in almost every situation.

You can also think about the helping verb.

Helping Verb	Usually Followed By
is/are/was/were	Giving
has/have/had	Given

This simple pattern solves many grammar questions before they become mistakes.

Mini Case Study

Imagine two students writing the same sentence.

Student A

She has been given her homework now.

This sentence is incorrect because the homework is being handed out at this moment.

Student B

She is giving her homework to the teacher.

This sentence correctly describes an action happening now.

Now compare another example.

Student A

She has given her homework.

Incorrect.

Student B

She has given her homework to the teacher.

Correct.

Changing just one word makes the sentence grammatically accurate.

Quick Self-Test

Choose the correct word before checking the answers.

Sentence	Giving or Given?
She has _____ me permission.	?
They’re _____ free coffee today.	?
_____ the heavy rain, school closed early.	?
We were _____ food to volunteers.	?
The award was _____ yesterday.	?

Answers

• She has permitted me.
• They’re giving free coffee today.
• Given the heavy rain, the school closed early.
• We were giving food to volunteers.
• The award was given yesterday.

If you answered all five correctly, you’ve already mastered the core grammar difference between these two words.

Giving and Given in Real-Life Examples

Grammar rules become much easier to understand when you see them in everyday situations. While it’s helpful to know that Giving is the present participle and ” given “ is the past participle of give, real-life examples show how these forms work naturally in conversations, emails, classrooms, and professional writing.

Let’s explore common situations where you’ll use these words.

Everyday Conversations

In casual conversations, giving usually describes an action happening now, while Given refers to something that has already happened or something you’re considering.

Situation	Correct Example	Why It Works
Helping a friend	I’m giving Jake a ride home.	The action is happening now.
Birthday gift	She has given me a wonderful gift.	The action is complete.
Planning outdoors	Given today’s forecast, let’s stay inside.	Introduces a condition.
Offering advice	My sister is giving me helpful advice.	Advice is being offered now.
Returning money	They’ve given us a full refund.	The refund has already been provided.

Notice that the grammar changes with the timing of the action, not with the object being given.

Workplace Examples

Business English often uses both words, especially in meetings, emails, reports, and presentations.

Examples with Giving:

• The manager is giving feedback to every employee.
• Our team is giving a product demonstration tomorrow.
• The company is giving customers a special discount.

Examples with Given:

• Management has given final approval.
• Employees were given additional training.
• Given current market conditions, we’re delaying the launch.

Professional communication values clarity, so choosing the correct form helps your writing sound polished and credible.

Academic Writing Examples

Students frequently encounter problems given in textbooks, research papers, and exam questions.

For example:

• Given the data, what conclusion can you draw?
• Researchers have given several explanations.
• Students are giving presentations this afternoon.
• The instructor has given detailed feedback on every assignment.

Academic writing also uses expressions like given that, given these results, and given the evidence, which introduce logical reasoning rather than completed actions.

Formal vs. Informal Usage

Both words appear in formal and informal English, but some uses are more common in professional writing.

Informal	Formal
I’m giving him a call.	I am giving a presentation this afternoon.
She’s giving me a hand.	The committee is giving careful consideration to the proposal.
They’ve given me the tickets.	Approval has been given by the review board.
Given the rain, we’ll stay home.	Given the available evidence, the findings are reliable.

In formal writing, you’ll often see Given introducing conditions because it creates concise, logical transitions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even advanced English learners sometimes confuse Giving and ” given. Fortunately, most errors follow predictable patterns.

Learning these mistakes will help you avoid them.

Mistake 1: Using “Giving” After “Has,” “Have,” or “Had”

❌ She has given me the report.

✅ She has given me the report.

Remember:

Perfect tenses always require the past participle.

Mistake 2: Using “Given” in Continuous Tenses

❌ They’re given free samples today.

✅ They’re giving free samples today.

Continuous tenses always use the -ing form.

Mistake 3: Confusing “Given” with “Gave”

Many learners mix up the simple past tense and the past participle.

Incorrect

Correct

She has permitted me.

She has permitted me.

They’ve given us another chance.

They’ve given us another chance.

A simple rule helps here:

• Gave = simple past
• Given = past participle

Mistake 4: Forgetting That “Given” Can Be a Preposition

Many people assume that ” given “ only works as a verb.

However, it also introduces conditions.

Incorrect:

❌ Given the weather, we’ll stay home.

Correct:

✅ Given the weather, we’ll stay home.

Whenever the meaning is considered or because of, choose Given.

Mistake 5: Overusing Passive Voice

Passive voice isn’t wrong, but active voice usually sounds clearer.

Compare these examples.

Passive:

The certificates were given to students.

Active:

The principal gave certificates to the students.

The second sentence feels more direct because the subject acts.

As a general writing guideline:

• Choose the active voice when you know who acted.
• Use passive voice when the receiver or result matters more.

Advanced Grammar Tips

Once you’ve mastered the basics, a few advanced grammar concepts can make your writing even stronger.

Remember That Grammar Depends on Function

Instead of memorizing words, think about what the word is doing.

Ask yourself:

• Is it describing an ongoing action?
• Is it describing a completed action?
• Is it introducing a condition?
• Is it functioning as an adjective?

The answer usually tells you which form belongs in the sentence.

Pay Attention to Helping Verbs

Helping verbs often reveal the correct answer before you even reach the main verb.

Helping Verb	Likely Choice
am	Giving
is	Giving
are	Giving
was	Giving
were	Giving
has	Given
have	Given
had	Given
been	Giving or Given (depends on the tense structure)

Recognizing these patterns speeds up your writing and reduces mistakes.

Watch for Signal Words

Certain words naturally appear with Given.

Examples include:

• Given the facts
• Given the circumstances
• Given today’s weather
• Given enough time
• Given these results
• Given your experience

Likewise, giving often appears with action-related expressions.

Examples include:

• Giving advice
• Giving permission
• Giving directions
• Giving support
• Giving feedback
• Giving a presentation
• Giving instructions
• Giving compliments

Learning these common collocations helps your English sound more natural.

Professional Writing Examples

Business reports, research papers, and official documents frequently use both forms.

Business Email

We’re giving every department additional resources this quarter.

Project Update

The design team has given final approval for production.

Meeting Notes

Given the revised schedule, the launch date has changed.

Performance Review

The supervisor is giving constructive feedback to every employee.

These examples demonstrate that grammar isn’t just an academic topic. It’s a practical skill that improves communication in nearly every profession.

Expert Tip for Better Writing

Professional editors often recommend reading a sentence twice whenever it contains the verb give.

First, identify when the action happens.

Then identify what role the word plays.

If the action is happening now, giving is usually correct.

If the action has already happened, Given is probably the right choice.

If the sentence begins with Given, check whether it means considering or because of.

This quick editing habit catches many grammar mistakes before anyone else notices them.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t rely on memorization alone. Instead, focus on the purpose each word serves in the sentence. Understanding the function makes choosing the correct form almost automatic.

Simple Grammar Rule to Remember

Grammar doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. If you only remember one rule from this guide, make it this one:

Giving is for actions in progress. Given is for actions already completed or for introducing a condition.

That’s the foundation behind nearly every correct use of these two words.

A Simple Decision Chart

Use this quick guide whenever you’re unsure.

Ask Yourself	Use
Is the action happening now?	Giving
Has the action already happened?	Given
Is the sentence in the perfect tense?	Given
Is the sentence in a continuous tense?	Giving
Does the sentence mean “considering”?	Given

Once you begin asking these questions automatically, choosing the correct word becomes much easier.

Easy Memory Tricks

Memory tricks work because they connect grammar to something simple.

Here are a few that many English learners find helpful.

Trick One: Look at the Ending

• Giving ends with -ing, which usually signals an ongoing action.
• Given ends with -en, which is common in many past participles such as broken, spoken, written, and taken.

Trick Two: Remember the Helping Verb

If you see:

• is, are, was, or were, you’ll usually need to give.
• has, have, or had, you’ll usually need to give.

Examples:

• She is giving a presentation.
• They have permitted us.

Trick Three: Replace “Given”

If you can replace given with considering or because of, you’re using it as a preposition.

For example:

• Given the weather, we’ll stay inside.
• Considering the weather, we’ll stay inside.

Both sentences mean the same thing.

One-Minute Test to Choose the Correct Word

Before you finish writing, take sixty seconds to review your sentence.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Is someone acting right now?
• Has the action already been completed?
• Am I writing in a continuous tense?
• Am I writing in the perfect tense?
• Does given mean considering in this sentence?

If you can answer these questions, you’ll avoid nearly every mistake involving giving and given.

Giving vs. Given: Example Sentences

The following examples compare both words in similar contexts.

Giving	Given
She’s giving her friend a ride.	She’s given her friend a ride before.
They’re giving free samples today.	They’ve given away all the samples.
The teacher is giving homework.	The teacher has given homework already.
We’re giving everyone another chance.	Everyone was given another chance.
He’s giving careful instructions.	Given the instructions, the task became easier.
Volunteers are giving food to families.	Food was given to every family.
I’m giving this idea another try.	I’ve given that idea serious thought.
She’s giving a speech this afternoon.	She’s given several speeches this year.
The coach is giving advice.	Excellent advice was given before the match.
They’re giving customers extra support.	Customers have been given additional support.

Reading examples like these helps you recognize correct grammar naturally instead of memorizing isolated rules.

Practice Exercise

Fill in each blank with Giving or Given.

Questions

1. She is ________ a presentation this morning.
2. The students have ________ their assignments.
3. ________ the heavy traffic, we’ll leave early.
4. They were ________ away free tickets.
5. The award was ________ to the winner.
6. We’ve been ________ money to charity.
7. He has ________ me excellent advice.
8. ________ your experience, this task should be easy.
9. The company is ________ employees extra vacation days.
10. Permission has been ________.

Answer Key

Question	Correct Answer
1	Giving
2	Given
3	Given
4	Giving
5	Given
6	Giving
7	Given
8	Given
9	Giving
10	Given

If you answered at least eight correctly, you’ve developed a solid understanding of when each word belongs in a sentence.

Conclusion About Giving or Given? When to Use Each (With Examples)

Mastering the difference between Giving and Given is easier than it first appears. Once you understand that Giving describes an action in progress while Given usually refers to a completed action or introduces a condition, you’ll make fewer grammar mistakes and write with greater confidence. Whether you’re working on school assignments, professional emails, blog posts, or everyday conversations, choosing the correct word helps your message sound clear and natural. Keep practicing with real-world examples, pay attention to verb tenses, and remember the simple grammar rules covered in this guide. Over time, using Giving and ” given “ correctly will become second nature. The more you read and write in English, the more comfortable you’ll feel recognizing the right form instantly. With these tips and examples, you’re well prepared to use both words accurately and improve your overall English communication skills.

FAQs

What is the main difference between ” giving ” and ” given “?

Giving is the present participle of give and describes an action that is happening or continuing. Given is the past participle, which usually refers to a completed action. It can also work as a preposition or an adjective, depending on the sentence.

When should I use Giving instead of ” given “?

Use Giving when the action is happening now or continues over time. It commonly appears in continuous tenses, such as present continuous, past continuous, and future continuous. If the action is still in progress, Giving is usually the correct choice.

Is Given always the past participle of give?

No. While Given is the past participle of give, it can also function as a preposition meaning “considering” or as an adjective that describes something specific or assumed. The sentence structure determines which role it plays.

Can ” given ” be used at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes. Given often starts a sentence when it means “considering” or “taking into account.” For example, “Given the weather, we’ll postpone the picnic.” This usage is especially common in formal, academic, and professional writing.

Can giving be used as a noun?

Yes. Giving can act as a gerund, which is a verb ending in -ing that functions as a noun. For example, “Giving to others brings happiness.” In this sentence, Giving is the subject of the sentence.

Is it correct to say has given?

No. After having, or having had, you should use the past participle, given, not giving. For example, “She has given me helpful advice” is correct, while “She has given me helpful advice” is incorrect.

Is Given used in passive voice?

Yes. Given is the correct form for passive voice because passive constructions require the past participle. For example, “The award was given to the winner” correctly uses Given in a passive sentence.

How can I remember the difference between ” giving ” and ” given “?

A simple memory trick is to think about time. Giving means the action is happening now, while Given means the action has already happened or introduces a condition. This quick check helps you choose the correct form in most situations.

What are common expressions with ” giving ” and ” given “?

Common phrases include giving advice, giving directions, giving feedback, and giving permission. With Given, you’ll often see expressions like given the circumstances, given the facts, given enough time, and given your experience.

Are giving and given interchangeable?

No. Although both words come from the verb give, they serve different grammatical purposes. Replacing one with the other can change the meaning of a sentence or create a grammar error. Always consider the tense and the role the word plays before choosing.

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Giving or Given? When to Use Each (With Examples) is explained with clear grammar rules, examples, tips, and easy guidance for everyone.