Simple Words, Used the Right Way: Borrow/Lend, Bring/Take

In this series, Simple Words, Used the Right Way, we're looking at everyday English words that seem simple but are often used incorrectly, because they follow patterns that may not exist in other languages.

In the last article, we explored the verbs say, tell, make, and do. The use of each of those depended on the situation, not just the meaning, and this article continues that idea.

The words borrow, lend, bring, and take are used often, but they are not interchangeable. Even when the meaning is understandable, the wrong word can make the sentence sound unnatural.

The good news is that these mistakes are usually connected to simple patterns, and once you understand the patterns, choosing the correct word becomes automatic - read on for a couple of tricks to make it easier! 

Borrow and Lend

What It Means:

When wondering whether to use borrow or lend, the easiest way to decide is to think about direction > what I call the “WHERE Rule”.

Huh? Read on…

Borrow and lend describe the same situation of an object exchanging hands, but the difference is simply the direction in which the object is going, and whose point of view you are describing.

The word Borrow refers to something that is coming towards you that you are receiving for a short time.

The word Lend refers to something that is going away from you that you are giving, also for a short time.

What to Do:

Before speaking, imagine the item moving between two people, and ask yourself: Am I receiving it? Or...Am I giving it?

If you receive something for a short time, you borrow it.

If you give something to someone for a short time, you lend it.

When you think about WHERE something is going, choosing the correct word becomes much easier. 

The Example:

Diego forgets his pen before class, so he asks his classmate,"Can you borrow me a pen?"

His classmate understands what Diego is trying to say, and lends him the pen.

Later that day, the shoe is on the other foot when Lakshmi needs a calculator, and Diego says,"You can borrow mine."

Now the calculator is moving towards Lakshmi.

From Lakshmi’s point of view, she is borrowing it, and from Diego's point of view, he is lending it. 

Rule of Thumb:  

Borrow = coming towards me, Lend = going away from me.

PRO TIP: Don’t be afraid to ask an English speaker (or coach, yes, like me) for help; above all, HAVE PATIENCE WITH YOURSELF!

Bonus Points:

Once you understand this pattern, you will find yourself noticing it everywhere in English conversations, TV shows, podcasts, and books, and you’ll wonder why you ever had trouble with it before!

Bring and Take

What It Means:

Many learners think Bring and Take simply mean "carry", and they do, but they are also about movement and direction; the difference is where the movement is happening and in which direction.

Again, the WHERE Rule comes into play….

The word Bring refers to something that is coming towards you.

The word Take refers to something that is going away from you.

What to Do:

Before choosing a word, imagine yourself walking with the object and ask: "Am I talking about something coming here, or going there?"

If you're carrying something to a place, use bring.

If you're carrying something away from a place, use take.

Thinking about the direction in which the object is going makes the choice much easier than trying to memorize rules.

Head exploding yet? Relax - over time, you will begin to recognize which verb fits the situation, especially with common phrases.

The Example:

Priya is invited to a family barbecue. Her cousin phones and says,"Can you bring some fruit?"

The fruit is coming to the barbecue.

After everyone eats, there is food left over and their aunt says,"Please take some home."

Now the food is going away from the barbecue.

Rule of Thumb:

Bring = to here. Take = away from here. 

Bonus Points:

 My students have found that, once they start using simple mental pictures like this, they find themselves using this trick for other words as well!

The Bottom Line

Word pairs like borrow/lend (where someone is using something that isn’t theirs) and bring/take (where an object is moving somewhere) can be confusing because both words describe the same event, just from different points of view of the people involved.

Instead of asking yourself, "Which English word do I remember?",  picture what is happening and ask yourself, "Which direction is the action moving?" 

As I said in the last article in this Simple Words, Used the Right Way series, when you focus on the pattern trick instead of direct translation, your English becomes clearer and more accurate, and you’ll be able to help another English learner! 

I help impatient learners to get further and faster on their English journey than they ever thought possible!

If you’re ready to work on your English in a focused and structured way (or to begin your French journey), start here: https://www.fluentandfabulous.com/home