Giving or Given 🧠 The Complete Grammar Guide

Ever stopped mid-sentence wondering, “Should I say giving or given?” You’re not alone. These two forms of the verb “give” confuse millions of English learners every year. The tricky part? Both are correct—just in different situations.

This guide breaks everything down in plain English. You’ll learn the difference between “giving” and “given”, how to use them in context, avoid common mistakes, and remember them forever with simple tricks.

Let’s dive right in.

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Why “Giving” and “Given” Confuse So Many Learners

Both words come from the same root — “give.” The confusion begins because English verbs can change form depending on time (tense) and function (part of speech).

For example:

• I am giving a gift. → ongoing action
• I have given a gift. → completed action

At first glance, both look similar. But there’s a subtle difference in when and how the action happens. Once you see that pattern, the confusion disappears.

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The Core Difference Between “Giving” and “Given”

Here’s the simplest way to think about it:

“Giving” = doing
“Given” = done

“Giving” shows an action in progress, while “given” shows something that has been completed or received.

Let’s make that clearer with a quick reference table.

Form	Part of Speech	Function	Example
Giving	Present Participle	Shows ongoing action	She is giving her best.
Given	Past Participle / Adjective / Preposition	Shows completion or condition	The award was given to her.

So, “giving” is active, “given” is result-oriented.

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Understanding “Giving” in Continuous Tenses

“Giving” comes from the present participle form of “give.” It’s used in continuous (progressive) tenses to express actions that are happening, were happening, or have been happening over time.

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Present Continuous – Action Happening Now

The present continuous tense uses “am/is/are + giving.”
It describes something happening right now or around the present time.

Examples:

• I’m giving you my honest opinion.
• She’s giving her speech at the conference.
• They’re giving food to the  people with low-income..

Usage Tips:

• Use it for actions in progress.
• Often appears with “now,” “currently,” or “at the moment.”

💡 Think of “giving” here as something still in motion.

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Past Continuous – Action Happening in the Past

Formula: was/were + giving

It describes actions that were happening at a particular time in the past.

Examples:

• We were giving our best performance when the lights went out.
• He was giving his presentation when I arrived.

Key Point:
The focus is on interrupted or ongoing past activity.

🕒 Use “was giving” or “were giving” when the action was in progress at a specific past moment.

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Present Perfect Continuous – Action Still in Progress

Formula: has/have been + giving

This tense shows an action that started in the past and is still continuing.

Examples:

• She has been giving piano lessons since 2018.
• They’ve been giving free samples all day.

Why It Matters:
This form emphasizes duration — how long something has been happening.

Common time markers: for, since, all day, recently, lately.

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Common Mistakes with “Giving”

Even fluent speakers slip up. Here’s what to avoid:

Mistake	Wrong Usage	Correct Usage
Mixing continuous with simple tenses	I give my speech now.	I am giving my speech now.
Using “giving” when the action is complete	She is giving her answer. (but she already did)	She has given her answer.
Adding “been giving” where not needed	He has been giving the prize yesterday.	He gave the prize yesterday.

Quick Tip: If the action is over, don’t use “giving.” Use “given” instead.

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The Versatility of “Given”

“Given” is the past participle of “give.” It’s used to show completed actions, passive constructions, or even as an adjective and preposition.

Let’s explore its many roles.

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“Given” as a Past Participle in Perfect Tenses

Formula: has/have/had + given

Used to show an action that’s finished, completed, or has relevance to the present.

Examples:

• She has given her word.
• They had given everything before quitting.
• He’s given his time to charity for years.

Why It’s Important:
The past participle connects past actions to present consequences.

Compare:

• I give → present
• I am giving → now
• I have given → completed action

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“Given” in Passive Voice

Formula: be + given

Used when the receiver of the action is more important than the doer.

Examples:

• The prize was given to the winner.
• Instructions were given before the test.
• A second chance will be given to all applicants.

Tip:
Passive voice emphasizes what was done, not who did it.

🗣️ “Given” often appears in formal or official writing.

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“Given” as an Adjective

“Given” can describe something assumed, accepted, or specific.

Examples:

• At any given time, 200 users are online.
• It’s a given fact that water boils at 100°C.
• The given data shows an increase in sales.

Meaning:
Here, “given” means particular, fixed, or certain.

Grammar Note:
When “given” acts as an adjective, it modifies a noun, just like “known,” “expected,” or “assumed.”

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“Given” as a Preposition

This one surprises many learners.

“Given” can mean considering or because of.

Examples:

• Given the weather, the match was postponed.
• Given her experience, she’ll handle it well.
• Given the circumstances, we had to act fast.

Usage Tip:
This is common in formal or written English. Replace “given” with “considering” and the meaning stays the same.

✏️ “Given the time,” means “Considering the time.”

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Comparing “Giving” vs “Given” in Real Contexts

Sometimes, the easiest way to understand grammar is to see it in action.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison to make things crystal clear:

Sentence	Correct Form	Explanation
She is ___ her time to charity.	giving	Ongoing action
She has ___ her time to charity.	given	Action completed
The teacher is ___ homework today.	giving	Still happening
The teacher has ___ homework already.	given	Done earlier
At any ___ time, the team is busy.	given	Used as an adjective
___ the situation, we’ll leave early.	Given	Used as a preposition

Remember:
If it’s happening now or still continuing, use giving.
If it’s already finished or assumed, use given.

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How to Choose Between “Giving” and “Given”

Here’s a simple test to help you decide fast:

1. Is the action happening right now or continuing?
   → Use “giving.”
2. Is the action completed or referring to something that already happened?
   → Use “given.”
3. Is it describing a condition, assumption, or prepositional phrase?
   → Use “given.”

Visual Decision Tree

Is the action still happening?
│
├── Yes → Use “Giving”
│       (She is giving a speech)
│
└── No → Is the action completed?
        │
        ├── Yes → Use “Given”
        │       (She has given her speech)
        │
        └── Is it a condition/preposition?
                │
                └── Yes → Use “Given”
                        (Given the time, we left)

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Mnemonics and Memory Tricks

Here’s how to remember the difference without overthinking:

• “Giving = Doing” (still happening)
• “Given = Done” (already finished)

Quick Rhymes

“If it’s in motion, use ‘giving.’
If it’s complete, ‘given’ is fitting.”

Analogy

Think of “give” like handing over a gift.

• While you’re handing it → you’re giving it.
• Once it’s in their hands → it’s given.

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Common Errors and Fixes

Here are some real-world mix-ups and how to correct them.

Mistake	Incorrect	Correct	Why
Mixing tenses	I am given a gift now.	I am giving a gift now.	“Given” can’t follow “am” for active voice.
Using “giving” after “has/have”	She has been giving her answer. (completed)	She has given her answer.	Use “given” for finished actions.
Confusing adjective use	At any giving time…	At any given time…	“Given” describes a condition, not “giving.”

🔍 Tip: “Given” never pairs with “am/is/are” in active voice sentences.

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Practice Section: Test Your Understanding

Try these. Fill in the blanks with giving or given.

1. She is ___ a talk on global warming.
2. He has ___ all he could to help.
3. The prize was ___ to the best student.
4. They are ___ their time to the project.
5. ___ the weather, we’ll stay inside.

Answers:

1. giving
2. given
3. given
4. giving
5. given

🎯 If you got them all right, you’ve nailed it!

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Case Study: “Giving” vs “Given” in Real Speech

Let’s look at a real-life scenario.

Situation:
You’re explaining your volunteer work.

• Incorrect: “I have been giving food yesterday.”
• Correct: “I gave food yesterday.” OR “I have given food to the people with low-income many times.”

Why?
“Yesterday” refers to a completed past action, so “given” (or “gave”) fits better than “giving.”

Another one:

• Correct: “I am giving my best to finish this project.”
  Here, the action is still in progress, so “giving” is the right call.

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FAQs: Common Questions About “Giving” and “Given”

What’s the main difference between “giving” and “given”?

“Giving” shows an ongoing action. “Given” shows a completed one or describes a condition.

Can I use “given” at the start of a sentence?

Yes. For example: “Given the circumstances, we acted fast.” It means considering the circumstances.

Is “given” past tense?

Not exactly. It’s a past participle, which works with helping verbs like has/have/had.

Can I say “I am given”?

Only in passive voice. Example: “I am given tasks daily.” It means someone assigns tasks to me.

What’s a quick way to remember the rule?

Think: “Giving = doing,” “Given = done.” If it’s happening → giving; if it’s finished → given.

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Conclusion

You’ve now seen the full picture. “Giving” represents an action in progress, while “given” reflects something completed, received, or assumed.

To recap:

• Giving = Continuous, ongoing
• Given = Completed or descriptive
• Use “given” as a preposition or adjective when describing conditions

Next time you hesitate, ask yourself one question: Is the action still happening?
If yes, say “giving.” If no, go with “given.”

“Once you grasp the timeline, the choice becomes effortless.”

Keep practicing, and soon, choosing between “giving” and “given” will feel as natural as saying hello.