Giving or Given becomes easier when English learners learn each verb form through real-life examples and daily practice together. Many learner groups and students struggle because Giving and Given come from give but have different functions, roles, forms, and meaning.
Giving is the present participle and gerund that shows an ongoing, progressing, in-progress, or happening action continuously, while Given is the past participle that often appears in passive sentences as an adjective in an adjectival state. It can indicate something provided, assumed, established, acknowledged, specified, or considered.
From my teaching experience, once learners recognize, distinguish, and understand these differences, every sentence becomes clearer, stronger, and more accurate, improving confidence, fluency, communication, writing, speaking, speech, and grammar skills for emails, articles, and speeches.
Quick Answer
The simplest way to remember the difference is this:
| Word | Meaning | Grammar Role | Example |
| Giving | An action that is happening now or continues over time | Present participle or gerund | She is giving a presentation. |
| Given | An action that has already been completed or something assumed | Past participle, adjective, or preposition | She has given her presentation. |
Use giving when the action is ongoing.
The teacher is giving instructions.
Use given when the action is complete or when referring to a condition or assumption.
The teacher has given the instructions.
Another common use appears in phrases like:
- Given the circumstances…
- Given enough time…
- Given that everyone agreed…
Here, given acts as a preposition, meaning considering or taking into account.
Comparison Overview
Before diving into detailed grammar rules, here’s a quick side-by-side comparison.
| Feature | Giving | Given |
| Base Verb | Give | Give |
| Verb Form | Present participle (-ing form) | Past participle |
| Shows | Ongoing action | Completed action |
| Common Tenses | Continuous tenses | Perfect tenses and passive voice |
| Can Be a Noun? | Yes (gerund) | No |
| Can Be an Adjective? | Rarely | Yes |
| Can Be a Preposition? | No | Yes |
| Example | They are giving free samples. | They have given free samples. |
At a Glance
Giving
- Describes actions in progress.
- Appears in continuous verb tenses.
- Can function as a noun (gerund).
- Often expresses movement or ongoing activity.
Given
- Describes completed actions.
- Forms perfect tenses.
- Frequently appears in passive voice.
- Can function as an adjective.
- Can introduce conditions or assumptions.
A simple way to remember it is this:
Giving = Happening now.
Given = Already happened or considering something.
Main Differences Between Giving or Given
Although giving and given come from the same verb, they play very different roles in English grammar.
| Difference | Giving | Given |
| Time | Present or ongoing | Past or completed |
| Verb Type | Present participle | Past participle |
| Used With | am, is, are, was, were | has, have, had |
| Passive Voice | No | Yes |
| Can Function as Adjective | No | Yes |
| Can Function as Preposition | No | Yes |
Let’s look at each difference in more detail.
Giving Describes an Action in Progress
Whenever an action is still happening, giving is usually the correct choice.
Examples:
- She is giving a speech.
- They’re giving away free books today.
- We’re giving every customer a discount.
- My parents are giving me driving lessons.
In every example, the action hasn’t finished.
Given Refers to a Completed Action
When the action has already happened, English uses given together with a helping verb.
Examples:
- She has given her speech.
- They have given us permission.
- The manager had given approval before lunch.
- We’ve already given our final answer.
The action is complete.
Giving Appears in Continuous Tenses
Continuous tenses describe actions that are ongoing.
Examples include:
- I am giving.
- She was giving.
- They are giving.
- We will be giving.
Example sentences:
- The volunteers are giving food to families.
- He was giving directions when I arrived.
- We’ll be giving awards tomorrow evening.
Notice how each sentence focuses on an action in progress.
Given Appears in Perfect Tenses
Perfect tenses connect past actions with another point in time.
Examples:
- I have given.
- She has given.
- They had given.
- We will have given.
Example sentences:
- I’ve given this issue careful thought.
- She has given excellent advice.
- They had given everyone enough time.
- By Friday, we’ll have given every employee access.
Given Can Be More Than a Verb
Unlike giving, given can perform several grammatical jobs.
It can work as:
- a past participle
- an adjective
- a preposition
For example:
Past participle
The company has given every employee a laptop.
Adjective
At any given moment, hundreds of people visit the website.
Preposition
Given the weather, we decided to stay home.
That flexibility makes given one of the more interesting forms of the verb give.
What Does “Giving” Mean?
The word giving is the present participle and gerund form of the verb give. Although it’s only one word, it performs several important functions in English grammar.
At its core, giving describes the act of transferring, offering, providing, or presenting something to another person. Depending on the sentence, it can behave like a verb or a noun.
Think about these examples:
- Sarah is giving a presentation.
- They’re giving away free tickets.
- Giving compliments builds confidence.
The first two examples use giving as a verb, while the last uses it as a noun.
Understanding these roles helps you choose the correct form naturally.
Giving as a Present Participle
A present participle ends in -ing and combines with helping verbs such as is, are, was, and were to create continuous tenses.
Examples:
- She is giving her full attention.
- They are giving interviews today.
- We were giving feedback during the meeting.
- The coach is giving instructions to the team.
Each sentence emphasizes that the action is happening over a period of time.
Common Sentence Patterns
| Structure | Example |
| am/is/are + giving | She is giving a speech. |
| was/were + giving | They were giving directions. |
| will be + giving | We’ll be giving updates tomorrow. |
These patterns appear constantly in spoken and written English.
Giving as a Gerund
A gerund is an -ing verb that functions as a noun.
Examples:
- Giving is better than receiving.
- Giving honest feedback improves teamwork.
- Giving back to your community creates lasting change.
- Giving your best effort matters more than perfection.
Here, giving names an activity instead of describing one.
You’ll often see gerunds after certain verbs and prepositions as well.
Examples:
- She enjoys giving advice.
- They talked about giving donations.
- We believe in giving people another chance.
Because gerunds behave like nouns, they can act as subjects, objects, or complements.
Common Expressions with “Giving”
English speakers use giving in hundreds of everyday expressions. Learning these phrases helps your speech sound more natural.
| Expression | Meaning |
| Giving advice | Offering guidance |
| Giving thanks | Showing gratitude |
| Giving permission | Allowing someone to do something |
| Giving directions | Explaining how to reach a place |
| Giving someone a chance | Providing an opportunity |
| Giving support | Offering help or encouragement |
| Giving a speech | Delivering a presentation |
| Giving credit | Acknowledging someone’s work |
| Giving attention | Focusing on something |
| Giving notice | Informing someone officially |
Examples in Everyday Life
Imagine these common situations:
At work
The manager is giving performance reviews this afternoon.
At school
The teacher is giving extra homework before the holidays.
At home
Mom is giving everyone chores for the weekend.
During a charity event
Volunteers are giving meals to families in need.
Each example describes an action that’s actively taking place.
Tip for Remembering “Giving”
A useful memory trick is to connect giving with going.
Both words end in -ing, and both often describe actions that are currently happening.
- The meeting is going well.
- The speaker is giving a presentation.
If the action is still unfolding, giving is usually the correct choice.
What Does “Given” Mean?
The word given is the past participle of the verb give. Unlike giving, which focuses on actions in progress, given refers to actions that have already been completed. It also has two additional roles in English grammar. It can function as an adjective and a preposition.
Because given serves multiple purposes, you’ll encounter it in everyday conversations, academic writing, business communication, and formal documents.
Consider these examples:
- She has given her resignation.
- Every employee was given a handbook.
- Given the heavy traffic, we left early.
- At any given time, the store serves hundreds of customers.
Although the same word appears in each sentence, its grammatical role changes based on the context.
Given as a Past Participle
The most common use of given is as the past participle of give. It combines with helping verbs such as has, have, had, and been to form perfect tenses and passive constructions.
Examples:
- I’ve given the matter careful thought.
- She has given us excellent advice.
- They had given everyone enough time.
- We have given our final decision.
Notice that given never stands alone as the main verb in these examples. It always works with a helping verb.
Perfect Tense Examples
| Tense | Example |
| Present Perfect | She has given her answer. |
| Past Perfect | They had given permission before we arrived. |
| Future Perfect | By tomorrow, we’ll have given everyone access. |
These structures highlight actions that are complete or connected to another point in time.
Given in Passive Voice
Another common role for given appears in passive sentences.
Instead of focusing on who performs the action, passive voice emphasizes the receiver.
Examples:
- Every student was given a certificate.
- The winner was given a trophy.
- Customers were given detailed instructions.
- The employees were given additional training.
While passive voice has its place, active voice usually sounds stronger and easier to read.
Compare these examples:
Passive
The award was given to Maria.
Active
The committee gave the award to Maria.
Both sentences are correct. The active version simply feels more direct.
Given as an Adjective
One feature that makes given unique is its ability to function as an adjective.
In this role, it describes a particular person, thing, time, or situation.
Examples:
- At any given moment, someone may call.
- Within a given period, all applications must be submitted.
- Under the given conditions, success was unlikely.
- For a given value of x, the equation has one solution.
Here, given means specific, particular, or fixed.
This usage appears frequently in:
- Mathematics
- Science
- Engineering
- Legal writing
- Academic research
Read More: Who to Contact or Whom to Contact: Which One Is Correct?
Given as a Preposition
Many learners don’t realize that given can also function as a preposition.
In this role, it means:
- Considering
- Taking into account
- In view of
Examples:
- Given the circumstances, we postponed the event.
- Given today’s forecast, bringing an umbrella makes sense.
- Given your experience, you’ll probably finish early.
- Given the available evidence, the decision seems reasonable.
You can often replace given with considering without changing the meaning.
For example:
Given the weather, we’ll stay inside.
becomes
Considering the weather, we’ll stay inside.
Both sentences express the same idea.
Common Expressions with “Given”
Native English speakers use given in many familiar expressions.
| Expression | Meaning |
| Given that… | Considering that… |
| Given the circumstances | Taking the situation into account |
| Given enough time | If sufficient time is available |
| Given the opportunity | If the chance exists |
| At any given time | At a particular moment |
| Given the choice | If offered options |
| Given the facts | Considering the available information |
Learning these phrases helps you understand both formal and conversational English.
Everyday Examples of “Given”
Here are a few real-life situations where given naturally fits.
At work
Every new employee is given an identification badge.
In school
Students have been given one week to complete the project.
During travel
Given the airline delays, arriving early is a smart idea.
In healthcare
The patient was given medication immediately after surgery.
Each example highlights a completed action or a condition that influences a decision.
Tip for Remembering “Given”
Here’s an easy way to remember it:
Think of given as already done.
If someone has given something, the action is complete.
If you’re saying given the circumstances, you’re asking the reader to consider a situation before reaching a conclusion.
That simple association helps you recognize the correct word almost instantly.
FAQs:
Is Giving or Given correct?
Both are correct, but they have different jobs in a sentence. Giving is the present participle or gerund and shows an action that is happening. Given is the past participle and often appears in passive sentences or works as an adjective. The correct choice depends on the sentence.
How can I remember the difference between Giving and Given?
A simple trick is to look at the action. If someone is doing the action now, use Giving. If the action has already happened or something was provided, use Given. Reading examples aloud and practicing with short sentences makes the difference much easier to remember.
Can Given be used as an adjective?
Yes. Given can describe a noun instead of acting as a verb. For example, “a given fact” means a fact that is accepted or already known. In this case, Given works as an adjective rather than part of a verb phrase.
Why do English learners confuse Giving and Given?
Many learners confuse them because both come from the verb give. However, they represent different verb forms and serve different grammar functions. Understanding participles, sentence structure, and context helps remove this confusion.
What is the best way to master Giving or Given?
The best method is regular practice. Read authentic English, write your own sentences, and check whether the action is happening now or has already happened. Over time, choosing between Giving and Given becomes natural and automatic.
Conclusion:
Understanding Giving or Given is not just about memorizing grammar rules. It is about knowing how each word works in real communication. Giving expresses an action that is happening or ongoing, while Given refers to something already completed, provided, or accepted. Once you learn to identify the context, verb form, and sentence structure, making the right choice becomes much easier.
Keep practicing with everyday conversations, emails, articles, and books. The more examples you read and write, the faster you will recognize the correct form without hesitation. With consistent practice, you will build stronger grammar skills, write with greater confidence, and use Giving and Given naturally in both speaking and writing.
