If you have ever paused mid sentence wondering whether to write “giving” or “given,” you are not alone. Both words come from the verb “give,” yet they play completely different roles in a sentence. Using the wrong one can make your writing sound off, even if the meaning still comes through.
This guide breaks down the difference in plain English, shows you exactly when to use each form, and gives you real example sentences so you never second guess yourself again.
Giving or Given: Quick Answer
Both “giving” and “given” are correct, but they are used in different situations.
- Use giving when you are talking about an action happening now, or as a describing word before a noun (a giving spirit, she is giving a speech).
- Use given when you are talking about a completed action, usually paired with a helping verb like “has,” “have,” or “had” (she has given a speech, the gift was given).
In short, “giving” shows an ongoing action, while “given” shows a finished one. The quickest test is to ask whether the sentence needs “am/is/are” (choose giving) or “has/have/had/was/were” (choose given).
What’s the Difference Between Giving and Given?
The core difference comes down to grammar function.
“Giving” is the present participle of the verb “give.” It ends in “ing” and is used to describe actions that are currently happening, ongoing, or continuous. It also works as an adjective, describing someone’s generous nature, as in “a giving person.”
“Given” is the past participle of the verb “give.” It is used with helping verbs to form perfect tenses (has given, have given, had given) and passive voice sentences (was given, is given, has been given). It can also function as an adjective meaning “specific” or “particular,” as in “at a given time.”
Both words share the same root meaning, transferring something to someone else, but the timing and grammatical structure around them decide which form fits.
Giving vs Given
| Feature | Giving | Given |
| Part of speech | Present participle / gerund | Past participle |
| Tense used with | Present continuous, past continuous | Perfect tenses, passive voice |
| Helping verbs | am, is, are, was, were | has, have, had, was, were |
| Example | She is giving a presentation. | She has given a presentation. |
| Adjective use | A giving heart | A given amount |
When to Use “Giving” (Present Participle)
“Giving” fits naturally into several sentence types. Here is when to reach for it.
- Continuous tenses. Pair it with am, is, are, was, or were to show an action in progress. Example: They are giving away free samples at the store.
- Gerund form. Use “giving” as a noun when talking about the act of donating or offering something. Example: Giving back to the community matters to our team.
- Adjective before a noun. “Giving” can describe a generous person or trait. Example: My grandmother was a giving woman who never turned anyone away.
- After certain verbs. Verbs like “keep,” “enjoy,” or “avoid” are often followed by the ing form. Example: He keeps giving excuses instead of solutions.
A simple trick is to check if you could replace “giving” with another ing verb and the sentence still makes sense. If it does, you are on the right track.
When to Use “Given” (Past Participle)
“Given” belongs in sentences describing a completed action or a specific detail. Here are the main cases.
- Perfect tenses. Combine “given” with has, have, or had to show an action finished before now or before another past action. Example: She has given her final answer.
- Passive voice. When the subject receives the action rather than performing it, use “given” with a form of “to be.” Example: The award was given to the top student.
- As an adjective meaning specific. “Given” can describe a particular point, time, or condition. Example: At a given moment, the whole room went silent.
- In fixed phrases. English has several set expressions using “given,” such as “given that,” “given the circumstances,” and “taken for granted.” Example: Given the weather, the game was postponed.
Remember that “given” almost never stands alone as the main verb. It needs a helping verb or works purely as an adjective.
Side-by-Side Comparison With Examples
Seeing both words in matching sentence pairs makes the pattern click faster.
- Present continuous: She is giving her presentation right now. / Past perfect: She had given her presentation before the meeting started.
- Passive today: The prize is being given to the winner. / Passive completed: The prize has been given to the winner.
- Adjective use: He has a giving nature. / He was given a second chance.
- Gerund use: Giving feedback helps people grow. / The feedback was given kindly.
- Fixed phrase: They were giving speeches all afternoon. / Given the length of the speeches, the audience grew restless.
Notice that “giving” always connects to something active or ongoing, while “given” points backward to something already completed or fixed in place.
Conclusion
“Giving” and “given” both come from the same root verb, but they serve different grammatical jobs. Choose “giving” when describing an action in progress, a generous trait, or a gerund. Choose “given” when the action is already finished, when using passive voice, or when describing something specific.
Once you spot the helping verb in your sentence, whether it is am/is/are or has/have/had, picking the right form becomes second nature. Keep this guide handy the next time you are unsure, and your writing will read clean and confident every time.
Brook is the creator and author behind Healthy Leeks, a platform focused on grammar, writing skills, and English language learning. Passionate about clear communication and effective writing, Brook shares practical grammar tips, easy-to-follow language guides, and educational content to help readers improve their English with confidence.
