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

When I began teaching English to non-native speakers, one of the most tricky topics was explaining the difference between giving and given. They both come from the same root verb, give, but take on distinct grammatical roles. Many fluent students seemed confused about how to use them, so I created a practical guide with real-life examples. In “Giving or Given,” you’ll learn that giving shows an ongoing action, while given reflects a completed one. It’s active versus passive simple in theory, but tricky in practice.

But in “The award was given,” the action has already occurred in the past. Once you recognize their patterns in different contexts, these distinctions become second nature. Solid examples and hands-on practice are your best tools.

What’s the Difference Between “Giving” and “Given”?

The words giving and given are two different verb forms of the base verb give. Their main differences lie in tense, voice, and function in a sentence.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

Word	Grammatical Role	Use Case	Example
Giving	Present participle	Ongoing/continuous actions	She is giving him advice.
Given	Past participle	Completed action, often passive voice	He was given a promotion.

Fast Facts:

• Giving = doing it now or in progress
• Given = already done or being received (in passive voice)

The Role of “Giving” in English Grammar

Present Continuous Tense

When you want to talk about something that is happening right now, use “giving” with a present continuous structure.

Structure: am/is/are + giving

Examples:

• I am giving her the documents now.
• They are giving their presentations today.
• He is giving his 100% to this project.

✅ Pro Tip: Present continuous shows that the action is currently unfolding or happening around this moment.

Past Continuous Tense

Use “giving” with the past continuous tense when the action was ongoing at a specific time in the past.

Structure: was/were + giving

Examples:

• She was giving a speech when the lights went out.
• We were giving feedback when the meeting ended.
• They were giving away samples at 5 PM yesterday.

🧠 Use this form when describing what someone was doing at a moment in the past.

Perfect Continuous Tenses with “Giving”

Present Perfect Continuous: have/has been giving

Past Perfect Continuous: had been giving

Future Perfect Continuous: will have been giving

These tenses show how long someone has been doing something, emphasizing duration or repetition.

Examples:

• She has been giving the same excuse for weeks.
• He had been giving guitar lessons for 10 years before retiring.
• By December, they will have been giving aid for two decades.

The Role of “Given” in English Grammar

Perfect Tenses with “Given”

Given is a past participle, used in all perfect tenses to indicate a completed action.

Structures:

• have/has + given → Present Perfect
• had + given → Past Perfect
• will have + given → Future Perfect

Examples:

• I have given my final answer.
• She had given him multiple warnings.
• By next year, we will have given out 1,000 scholarships.

✍️ Perfect tenses = something is completed before now, before another past time, or before a future event.

Passive Voice with “Given”

Passive voice flips the focus of the sentence from the doer to the receiver of the action.

Structure: be verb + given

Examples:

• The prize was given to the best student.
• The information is given freely.

Feedback was given during the session.

Sentence Type	Example
Active Voice	They gave her the certificate.
Passive Voice	She was given the certificate.

⚖️ Passive voice with “given” emphasizes the receiver, not the giver.

“Given” Beyond Verb Usage

“Given” isn’t just a verb form. It also works as an adjective and a preposition, which adds to the confusion.

“Given” as an Adjective

When used as an adjective, “given” means specific, particular, or known.

Examples:

• In any given situation, stay calm.
• The outcome depends on a given set of rules.
• At any given time, we have 30 staff on duty.

📚 This usage is common in academic or formal writing.

“Given” as a Preposition

In this role, “given” means considering or taking into account. It’s a shortcut for saying, “in light of” or “because of.”

Examples:

• Given the evidence, the jury had no choice.
• Given his experience, the promotion made sense.
• Given the weather, we stayed inside.

🧠 This is especially helpful when you want to present a reason or condition.

“Giving” vs. “Given” in Real Contexts

Let’s compare how the two forms work in everyday situations.

Common Sentence Patterns

• Giving: She is giving him advice. (Ongoing, active)
• Given: He was given advice. (Completed, passive)

Situation	Use	Example
Talking about an action happening now	Giving	I’m giving it my all.
Talking about an action received	Given	She was given an award.
Describing a condition or fact	Given	Given his background, it fits.

Formal vs. Informal Use

Word	Typical Context	Example
Giving	Spoken English, casual tone	“I’m giving it a try.”
Given	Academic/formal writing	“Given this scenario, action is needed.”

🎓 “Given” adds authority in formal writing. “Giving” fits better in conversational tones.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Let’s clear up common errors people make when choosing between “giving” and “given.”

Mistake #1: Using “giving” in place of passive voice

❌ The vaccine is giving to patients. ✅ The vaccine is given to patients.

Mistake #2: Using “given” in active voice without an auxiliary verb

❌ They given her a warning. ✅ They gave her a warning. ✅ They have given her a warning.

Mistake #3: Forgetting auxiliary verbs in perfect tenses

❌ She given up already. ✅ She has given up already.

Practical Tips to Choose Between “Giving” and “Given”

If you’re unsure, use these memory tricks and tips to decide which one to use:

Key Reminders:

• Use giving when the action is happening now or was happening in the past.
• Use given when the action is done, received, or describing a condition.
• If there’s a “be” verb (am, is, are, was, were) followed by a completed action, you likely need “given.”
• If you’re describing an ongoing process, reach for “giving.”

Quick Reference Table

Situation	Use	Example
Ongoing action	Giving	They are giving a lecture.
Completed action in perfect tense	Given	I have given all I can.
Passive voice sentence	Given	She was given the award.
Used as an adjective	Given	At any given moment, stay alert.
Used as a preposition (reason/condition)	Given	Given the risk, we waited.

Final Examples to Cement Understanding

Let’s test your skills. Try choosing the correct word:

1. “He has _____ up on the idea.” ✅ Answer: given
2. “They are _____ out leaflets in the mall.” ✅ Answer: giving
3. “Instructions were _____ at the beginning.” ✅ Answer: given
4. “She is _____ the baby a bath.” ✅ Answer: giving
5. “_____ the situation, let’s wait a bit.” ✅ Answer: Given

Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between “giving” and “given” is essential for speaking and writing English with clarity and precision. These two words may look similar, but their uses are entirely different. One describes actions happening right now (giving), while the other points to completed actions or passive constructions (given). Mastering them helps you avoid common grammar mistakes, speak more naturally, and write more fluently.

What makes this distinction even more important is how often these words appear in daily life. From job interviews to casual chats, academic writing to business reports – choosing the correct form adds credibility and flow to your language. It’s not just about rules; it’s about sounding right and being understood.

Remember:

• Use “giving” when the action is active and ongoing.
• Use “given” when the action is complete or received.

FAQs

What’s the easiest way to tell when to use “giving” or “given”?

Ask yourself if the action is ongoing or completed. Use “giving” for actions in progress, and “given” for actions already done or when something is received.

Can “given” be used in present tense sentences?

Yes, but only with auxiliary verbs like “has,” “have,” or “is” in passive constructions. Example: “She has given her answer” or “He is given a task.” It’s never used alone as a present verb.

Is it wrong to say “I was giving the award”?

Not wrong, but context matters. “I was giving the award” means you were presenting it. “I was given the award” means you received it. Choose based on who is acting and who is receiving.

Can “given” be used to start a sentence?

Absolutely. Especially when it functions as a preposition meaning “considering.” Example: “Given the deadline, we worked overnight.” It’s common in formal writing and professional settings.

Why is “given” used in passive voice instead of “giving”?

Because “given” is a past participle, and passive voice requires a past participle after the verb to be. “Giving” shows action; “given” shows reception or completion. That’s why you say “He was given a chance,” not “He was giving a chance.”