Two small words. One big source of confusion. Both come from the same verb — give — yet they cannot be swapped without breaking a sentence. Whether you are writing a professional email, preparing for an English exam, or polishing a business report, choosing the right form matters. This guide covers every context, every common mistake, and every practical trick you need to use giving or given correctly every time.
Contextual Examples
Basic Forms and Parts of Speech
Before diving into examples, look at the full verb family:
| Form | Name | Role in a Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| give | Base form | Present simple: I give |
| gave | Simple past | Past action: She gave |
| given | Past participle | Perfect tenses, passive voice, adjective, preposition |
| giving | Present participle / gerund | Continuous tenses, noun function, adjective |
The core rule is this: giving = action in progress; given = action completed or assumed.
Example 1 — Present Continuous (Giving as Verb)
She is giving a presentation to the board right now.
Here, is (a form of be) acts as the auxiliary. Pair it with the present participle giving to show that the action is happening at this moment. Remove the auxiliary and the sentence collapses — “She giving a presentation” is not standard English.
Example 2 — Gerund as Noun (Giving as Noun)
Giving back to the community is something she values deeply.
When giving opens a sentence or sits after a preposition, it becomes a gerund — a verb acting as a noun. You can substitute the word generosity and the sentence still makes sense, which confirms the noun role. Other examples: the art of giving, giving is receiving.
Example 3 — Present Perfect (Given as Past Participle)
They have given us enough time to prepare.
Have/has/had + given forms the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect. The past participle slot demands given, never giving. Think of it this way: if have or had sits just before the verb, the next word must be a past participle.
See also : Bad Rap or Bad Rep: Which Phrase Should You Use?
Example 4 — Passive Voice With Given
The award was given to the most dedicated volunteer.
Passive voice follows the pattern be + past participle. Since the action is received rather than performed, given fits perfectly. The subject (the award) is not doing anything — it is receiving the action.
Example 5 — Adjective Use
On any given day, hundreds of parcels pass through this warehouse.
Here, given modifies the noun day, meaning “a particular” or “a specified” day. It works just like an ordinary adjective. You would never say “on any giving day” — that carries no meaning.
Example 6 — Reduced Clause With Given
Given the tight deadline, the team worked through the weekend.
This is given used as a preposition or subordinating word, similar to considering or in view of. It introduces a condition or reason. Replace it with considering and the sentence reads identically. This structure is especially common in formal and academic writing.
Example 7 — Incorrect Swap
❌ She has giving the files to the manager. ✅ She has given the files to the manager.
Swapping given for giving after has is the single most common error learners make. The auxiliary has demands a past participle. Giving is a present participle, so it cannot follow has in a perfect tense.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1 — Using Giving Instead of Given After Have/Has/Had
❌ He had giving his best effort before the deadline. ✅ He had given his best effort before the deadline.
Rule: After have, has, or had, always use the past participle given.
Mistake 2 — Confusing Gerund vs Participle Roles
❌ Given more feedback is what the team needs. ✅ Giving more feedback is what the team needs.
When you need a noun (the subject of a sentence), use the gerund giving. Given in the gerund slot sounds unnatural and grammatically awkward.
Mistake 3 — Forgetting Auxiliary with Present Participle
❌ The professor giving the lecture tomorrow. ✅ The professor is giving the lecture tomorrow.
A present participle like giving needs an auxiliary verb (is, was, will be) to form a complete predicate. Without it, the sentence is a fragment.
See also : Blow This Popsicle Stand: Meaning and Usage
Mistake 4 — Misusing Given as a Conjunction
❌ Given that, he worked hard, he deserved the promotion. ✅ Given that he worked hard, he deserved the promotion.
No comma between given that and its clause. The phrase given that functions as a subordinating conjunction and should not be separated from the clause it introduces.
Mistake 5 — Hyphenation or Capitalization Confusion
❌ It’s a Given fact. ✅ It’s a given fact.
Given as an adjective meaning “assumed” or “specified” is not a proper noun. Capitalize it only at the start of a sentence or in a title. No hyphen is needed in standard uses like a given situation or at a given time.
American vs British English Differences
Core Grammar: Same Rules
Good news: the fundamental grammar of giving and given is identical in both American and British English. Neither dialect treats the past participle or the present participle differently. The verb forms, tense structures, and passive constructions follow the same rules on both sides of the Atlantic.
Subtle Usage Differences
| Feature | American English | British English |
|---|---|---|
| Present perfect | Sometimes replaced by simple past: Did you give him the note? | More consistent use of present perfect: Have you given him the note? |
| Informal writing | Given as a standalone preposition is common | Also common; slightly more formal register preferred |
| Collocation give it a go | Less frequent; give it a try preferred | Very common idiom |
Punctuation and Style
British style guides tend to place commas more conservatively around introductory given clauses. American style (AP and Chicago) is more flexible but generally recommends a comma after a long introductory clause beginning with given.
Preference in Formal Writing
In academic and legal writing, both dialects prefer given as a preposition (given the circumstances, given the evidence). American legal documents use it extensively; British legal writing uses it equally but may also substitute having regard to in formal contracts.
Idiomatic Expressions and Set Phrases
Common Collocations With Giving
- giving back — returning something to a community or cause
- giving way — yielding or collapsing
- giving rise to — causing something to develop
- giving in — surrendering or admitting defeat
- giving it one’s all — making a maximum effort
Common Collocations With Given
- given that — considering the fact that
- given the circumstances — in view of the situation
- on any given day — at any particular, unspecified day
- a given — something accepted as obviously true (It’s a given that she will succeed.)
- given name — a person’s first name (as opposed to family name)
Fixed Expressions
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| given the chance | if the opportunity arises |
| given time | if enough time passes |
| a giving person | someone who is generous |
| the giving season | charitable period, often December |
| giving and taking | mutual compromise |
Test Sentences to See Difference
- She is ______ a speech. → giving (ongoing action)
- He has ______ his resignation. → given (completed, perfect tense)
- ______ her experience, she qualified easily. → Given (preposition/condition)
- ______ generously is a habit worth building. → Giving (gerund/noun)
Practical Tips
Tip 1 — Check for an Auxiliary Verb
Before choosing the form, look left. If you see have, has, or had directly before the verb slot, use given. If you see is, are, was, or were, use giving.
Tip 2 — Identify Noun Uses
Ask: Can I replace this word with “generosity” or “the act of giving”? If yes, use the gerund giving.
Tip 3 — Use the He/Him Test for Pronouns Only
This tip applies to pronoun-related grammar checks, not directly to giving/given, but the habit of testing substitution is valuable. Replace the word with a synonym and see if the sentence still works.
Tip 4 — Watch for Participle Clauses
Reduced clauses at the start of sentences often use given: Given the results, we revised our strategy. If the opening word sets a condition or reason, given is usually correct.
Tip 5 — Avoid Dangling Participles
❌ Giving the circumstances, the meeting was cancelled. ✅ Given the circumstances, the meeting was cancelled.
A dangling participle occurs when the participial phrase does not logically connect to the main subject. Given as a preposition anchors the clause correctly.
Tip 6 — Keep Sentences Short for Clarity
Long sentences with multiple participial phrases blur the roles of giving and given. Break complex sentences into shorter ones where each verb form has a clear role.
Tip 7 — Use Rewrites to Resolve Ambiguity
If a sentence feels awkward, try rewriting it in full active voice: The manager gave feedback instead of Feedback was given by the manager. Active rewrites make tense and form instantly obvious.
Tip 8 — Match Verb Number in Passive Constructions
❌ The instructions was given yesterday. ✅ The instructions were given yesterday.
In passive voice with given, the auxiliary be must agree with the subject in number. Plural subjects take were, not was.
Tip 9 — Practice With Minimal Pairs
Write five sentences using giving and then rewrite each using given in the correct tense. The contrast sharpens your instinct for which form fits which context.
Tip 10 — Teach With Visual Timelines
Draw a simple horizontal timeline. Mark now in the middle. Actions left of center (completed) call for given; actions at or overlapping now (ongoing) call for giving. This visual trick is especially useful for classroom teaching and self-study.
Revision Examples and Edits
Revision 1 — Fixing Auxiliary Mistake
| Version | Sentence |
|---|---|
| ❌ Original | The committee has giving its final decision. |
| ✅ Revised | The committee has given its final decision. |
| Why | Has requires a past participle. Replace giving with given. |
2 — Fixing Dangling Participle
| Version | Sentence |
|---|---|
| ❌ Original | Giving the tight schedule, errors were unavoidable. |
| ✅ Revised | Given the tight schedule, errors were unavoidable. |
| Why | The opening clause sets a condition, not an ongoing action. Given (preposition) is correct. |
Revision 3 — Making Gerund Use Clear
| Version | Sentence |
|---|---|
| ❌ Original | Given to others freely is a noble quality. |
| ✅ Revised | Giving to others freely is a noble quality. |
| Why | The sentence needs a gerund (noun) as its subject. Giving fills the noun role; given does not. |
See also : A Day Well Spent: Meaning, Usage, and Common Mistakes
FAQs
What is the main difference between giving and given?
Giving shows an ongoing action; given shows a completed action, a condition, or something accepted as fact.
Can giving be used as a noun?
Yes. When used as a gerund, giving functions as a noun — for example, giving is more rewarding than receiving.
Is given a preposition?
Yes. In phrases like given the circumstances or given that, given acts as a preposition meaning considering.
Why can’t I say “she has giving”?
After has/have/had, English requires a past participle. The past participle of give is given, not giving.
What does “a given” mean?
It means something assumed to be true without needing proof — for example, It’s a given that hard work leads to results.
Is “given name” the same as a first name?
Yes. Your given name is the name assigned at birth, as opposed to your family name or surname.
Do American and British English use these forms differently?
The grammar rules are the same. The main difference is that British English uses the present perfect more consistently, where American English sometimes substitutes the simple past.
How do I remember which form to use?
Simple check: is the action still happening? Use giving. Is it already done or a condition? Use given.
Conclusion
Mastering giving and given comes down to one clear distinction — ongoing versus completed. Use giving when an action is in progress, when you need a noun (gerund), or when describing a generous quality. Use given in perfect tenses, passive constructions, adjective roles, and as a preposition introducing conditions. Keep this guide handy while writing, run a quick auxiliary-verb check before finalizing a sentence, and the right choice will quickly become second nature
