Many English learners and even native speakers hesitate when choosing between giving and given. Both words come from the verb give, both appear frequently in writing and conversation, and both look similar enough to cause confusion. You may wonder whether to write “The teacher has giving homework” or “The teacher has given homework.” You might also see expressions such as “given that” and ask yourself how given functions differently from giving.
Understanding the difference matters because these forms appear in everyday communication, professional emails, academic assignments, examinations, presentations, and business writing. Using the wrong form can make your sentence sound unnatural or grammatically incorrect. Fortunately, the distinction is easier than it first appears.
This guide explains the meaning, grammar rules, sentence patterns, pronunciation, usage examples, common mistakes, and practical tips related to giving or given. By the end, you’ll know exactly when to use each word and feel confident applying them in real-life situations.
Meaning of Giving and Given
Although giving and given come from the same base verb, they serve different grammatical functions.
What Does “Giving” Mean?
Giving is the present participle and gerund form of the verb give.
It usually describes an action that is happening now, continuing, or functioning as a noun.
Examples:
- She is giving a presentation.
- They are giving away free samples.
- Giving is often more rewarding than receiving.
In these examples, the word refers to an ongoing action or acts as a noun.
What Does “Given” Mean?
Given is the past participle form of give.
It is commonly used:
- With helping verbs such as has, have, or had
- As an adjective
- In expressions such as given that
- To indicate something already provided
Examples:
- She has given excellent advice.
- The instructions were given clearly.
- Given the circumstances, we made the best decision possible.
Quick Meaning Comparison
| Word | Grammar Role | Basic Meaning |
| Giving | Present participle / gerund | The act of providing or transferring |
| Given | Past participle / adjective | Already provided, supplied, or considered |
Understanding this distinction forms the foundation for correct usage.
Grammar Rules: When to Use Giving and Given
The biggest difference between these words involves verb forms.
Giving as the Present Participle
Use giving with forms of be to create continuous tenses.
Examples:
- I am giving a speech.
- She was giving instructions.
- They will be giving awards tonight.
Structure:
Be + giving
Given as the Past Participle
Use given with forms of have to create perfect tenses.
Examples:
- I have given my answer.
- She had given permission earlier.
- They have given generously.
Structure:
Have/Has/Had + given
Grammar Forms Table
| Verb Form | Structure | Example |
| Base form | Give | Please give me a chance. |
| Present participle | Giving | He is giving directions. |
| Past tense | Gave | She gave me a gift. |
| Past participle | Given | They have given support. |
Why Learners Get Confused
Many people incorrectly assume that giving works after have or has because it sounds similar.
Incorrect:
- She has giving a speech.
Correct:
- She has given a speech.
Remember:
- Continuous tenses → giving
- Perfect tenses → given
Giving as a Verb and Gerund
One special feature of giving is its ability to function both as a verb and as a noun.
Giving as Part of a Verb Phrase
Examples:
- The company is giving bonuses.
- He was giving careful instructions.
- We are giving this project our full attention.
Here, giving describes an ongoing action.
Giving as a Gerund
A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that functions as a noun.
Examples:
- Giving makes her happy.
- Giving to charity helps communities.
- Giving compliments improves relationships.
Gerund vs Verb Table
| Usage | Function | Example |
| Giving as verb | Ongoing action | She is giving a lecture. |
| Giving as gerund | Noun | Giving brings joy. |
Everyday Examples
At work:
- The manager is giving feedback.
At school:
- The teacher is giving a test.
In relationships:
- Giving support strengthens friendships.
This flexibility makes giving extremely common in English.
Given as a Past Participle and Adjective
Unlike giving, given often refers to something completed or already provided.
Given in Perfect Tenses
Examples:
- They have given permission.
- She had given him several warnings.
- We have given our approval.
Given as an Adjective
Sometimes given describes circumstances or established facts.
Examples:
- Under the given conditions, success was difficult.
- Use the given information to answer the question.
- The given instructions must be followed.
Given in Expressions
English frequently uses given in fixed phrases.
Examples:
- Given that traffic was heavy, we arrived late.
- Given the circumstances, nobody complained.
- Given enough time, anyone can improve.
Usage Table
| Use | Example | Meaning |
| Past participle | She has given advice. | Provided |
| Adjective | The given details were accurate. | Specified |
| Fixed expression | Given that it rained… | Considering |
Recognizing these patterns makes given much easier to use.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Giving vs Given
Sometimes learners simply need to see both forms together.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Giving | Given |
| Verb form | Present participle | Past participle |
| Used with | Be verbs | Have verbs |
| Indicates | Ongoing action | Completed action |
| Can act as noun | Yes | No |
| Can act as adjective | Rarely | Yes |
| Example | She is giving advice. | She has given advice. |
Example Comparisons
Continuous Action:
Correct:
- He is giving instructions.
Incorrect:
- He is given instructions.
Perfect Tense:
Correct:
- He has given instructions.
Incorrect:
- He has giving instructions.
Gerund:
Correct:
- Giving generously is admirable.
Incorrect:
- Given generously is admirable.
Adjective:
Correct:
- Use the given formula.
Incorrect:
- Use the giving formula.
These contrasts highlight the unique role of each form.
Pronunciation and Spoken English
Pronunciation differences are subtle but important.
Giving
Pronunciation:
/ˈɡɪv.ɪŋ/
Sounds like:
GIV-ing
Examples:
- giving advice
- giving directions
- giving support
Given
Pronunciation:
/ˈɡɪv.ən/
Sounds like:
GIV-un
Examples:
- given permission
- given instructions
- given time
Pronunciation Comparison Table
| Word | Pronunciation | Sound Guide |
| Giving | /ˈɡɪv.ɪŋ/ | GIV-ing |
| Given | /ˈɡɪv.ən/ | GIV-un |
Speaking Tips
Practice these pairs aloud:
- She is giving advice.
- She has given advice.
- They are giving awards.
- They have given awards.
Hearing the difference improves accuracy.
Common Expressions Using Giving and Given
Many fixed expressions use these words.
Expressions with Giving
- giving thanks
- giving birth
- giving notice
- giving permission
- giving someone a chance
- giving advice
Examples:
- She is giving birth next month.
- They are giving notice to employees.
Expressions with Given
- given that
- given the circumstances
- given enough time
- given permission
- given instructions
- given the opportunity
Examples:
- Given that we were tired, we left early.
- Given the opportunity, she would travel abroad.
Expression Comparison Table
| Giving Expressions | Given Expressions |
| Giving advice | Given that |
| Giving thanks | Given permission |
| Giving support | Given instructions |
| Giving notice | Given the opportunity |
Learning common phrases makes your English sound more natural.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Certain errors appear repeatedly among learners.
Mistake 1: Using Giving After Have
Incorrect:
- I have giving my opinion.
Correct:
- I have given my opinion.
Why?
Perfect tenses require the past participle.
Mistake 2: Using Given After Be
Incorrect:
- She is given a speech.
Correct:
- She is giving a speech.
Why?
Continuous tenses require the present participle.
Mistake 3: Confusing Gerunds
Incorrect:
- Given is caring.
Correct:
- Giving is caring.
Why?
Gerunds use the -ing form.
Mistake 4: Misusing Given That
Incorrect:
- Giving that it was late, we left.
Correct:
- Given that it was late, we left.
Why?
The expression uses given, not giving.
Correct vs Incorrect Table
| Incorrect | Correct |
| She has giving advice. | She has given advice. |
| He is given instructions. | He is giving instructions. |
| Giving that it rained… | Given that it rained… |
| Given is important. | Giving is important. |
Proofreading Tip
Check the helping verb.
If you see:
- am/is/are/was/were → likely giving
- has/have/had → likely given
This simple strategy prevents most mistakes.
FAQs
Which is correct: giving or given?
Both are correct. The right choice depends on grammar and context.
Is “has giving” ever correct?
No.
Correct:
- has given
Incorrect:
- has giving
Can “giving” be a noun?
Yes.
Examples:
- Giving is rewarding.
- Giving promotes kindness.
Can “given” be an adjective?
Yes.
Examples:
- Use the given data.
- Follow the given instructions.
What does “given that” mean?
It means considering that.
Example:
- Given that it was snowing, school closed early.
Which form appears in continuous tenses?
Giving.
Example:
- They are giving presentations.
Which form appears in perfect tenses?
Given.
Example:
- They have given presentations.
How can I remember the difference?
Think:
- Be + giving
- Have + given
This pattern solves most problems immediately.
Conclusion
The confusion surrounding giving or given becomes much easier to manage once you understand their grammatical roles. Although both forms come from the verb give, they serve different purposes in English.
Use giving when referring to ongoing actions or when the word functions as a gerund. It commonly appears with forms of be, such as is giving, was giving, and are giving. It can also act as a noun, as in Giving is an act of kindness.
Use given as the past participle with forms of have, including has given, have given, and had given. It can also function as an adjective and appears in expressions like given that and given the circumstances.
A simple memory trick can help you every time:
- Be + giving
- Have + given
If you remember this rule and pay attention to sentence structure, you’ll avoid the most common mistakes and use both forms with confidence. Whether you’re writing academic essays, sending professional emails, preparing for exams, or improving your everyday communication, mastering the difference between giving and given will strengthen both your grammar and your overall command of English.
