Difference between BORROW / LEND / LOAN

Difference between BORROW / LEND / LOAN Super Useful English Grammar

Explanation + Extra Activities

Here’s an easy explanation about the difference between lend, borrow, and loan:

LEND

  • Lend means to give something to someone for a short time, expecting they will return it later.
  • Example: “Can you lend me your pen?” (You give me your pen, and I will give it back.)

BORROW

  • Borrow means to take something from someone for a short time, with a promise to return it.
  • Example: “Can I borrow your pen?” (I take your pen, and I will return it to you.)

LOAN

  • Loan is similar to lend, but it is usually used in more formal situations, like with money or big things (like a car or house).
  • Example: “The bank loaned him money to buy a house.” (The bank gave him money, and he will pay it back.)

Quick Tips:

  • If you give something, you lend it or loan it.
  • If you take something, you borrow it.

Extra Practice!

Here’s an ESL quiz on the difference between LEND, BORROW, and LOAN in three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each level has 15 questions with an answer section at the bottom.

Beginner Level Quiz: LEND, BORROW, LOAN

  1. Can I ___ your pencil?
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  2. I need to ___ some money from the bank.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  3. My friend will ___ me her bike for the weekend.
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  4. Could you ___ me your book?
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  5. I want to ___ some money to my brother.
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  6. I always ___ books from the library.
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  7. The bank will ___ him money to start his business.
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  8. She asked me to ___ her my jacket.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  9. I will ___ you some money if you need it.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  10. Can I ___ your car for the day?
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  11. The company gave him a ___ to buy a house.
    a) borrow
    b) loan
    c) lend
  12. I have to ___ my friend’s laptop because mine is broken.
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  13. She decided to ___ her bike to me for a week.
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  14. He asked his parents to ___ him some money.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  15. I ___ my umbrella to my classmate yesterday.
    a) borrowed
    b) lent
    c) loaned

Beginner Answers:
1b, 2b, 3b, 4a, 5b, 6a, 7c, 8a, 9a, 10b, 11b, 12a, 13b, 14a, 15b

Intermediate Level Quiz: LEND, BORROW, LOAN

  1. Since I left my charger at home, do you think I could ___ yours for the day?
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  2. The bank has agreed to ___ us a large sum of money, but only if we provide some form of collateral.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  3. She told me that I could ___ her car if I promise to return it by the end of the day.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  4. I asked him if he could ___ me his notes from the meeting since I missed it.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  5. The university granted him a ___ so he could afford to pay for his final year of studies.
    a) lend
    b) loan
    c) borrow
  6. My friend is willing to ___ me her apartment for the weekend while she’s out of town.
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  7. Since we’re short on cash, we’ve decided to ___ some money from the bank to complete our renovation project.
    a) lend
    b) loan
    c) borrow
  8. Could you ___ me a hand by ___ me your toolkit for a few days?
    a) lend / lending
    b) borrow / borrowing
    c) loan / loaning
  9. He managed to pay for his tuition by taking out a ___ from the government.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  10. I ___ my brother’s guitar for practice, but I need to return it before he gets back.
    a) borrowed
    b) lent
    c) loaned
  11. They asked if they could ___ our tent for their camping trip next weekend.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  12. My parents have agreed to ___ me enough money to buy a new laptop for college.
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  13. The library policy allows students to ___ up to five books at a time for a period of two weeks.
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  14. I offered to ___ him my umbrella because it was raining, but he refused.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  15. He took out a small business ___ from the bank to expand his company.
    a) lend
    b) loan
    c) borrow

Intermediate Answers:
1a, 2c, 3b, 4a, 5b, 6c, 7c, 8a, 9c, 10a, 11b, 12b, 13a, 14a, 15b

Advanced Level Quiz: LEND, BORROW, LOAN

  1. After discussing the terms of the agreement, the company decided to ___ the employee a high-end laptop for remote work, which he must return after six months.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  2. Despite having the means to pay upfront, she preferred to ___ a substantial amount of money from the bank to benefit from their low-interest rates.
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  3. He was hesitant to ___ his car to anyone, especially since it was brand new and he was worried it might get damaged.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  4. The school administration has agreed to ___ the necessary equipment to students who can’t afford to purchase their own.
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  5. After several attempts to negotiate with different banks, he finally secured a long-term ___ that allowed him to purchase his first home.
    a) loan
    b) lend
    c) borrow
  6. Since I was in a tight spot, I had no choice but to ___ money from my colleague to cover my unexpected expenses.
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  7. In order to expand the business, the owners decided to ___ a significant sum from a private lender rather than a bank.
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  8. Having lost my own headphones, I had to ___ a pair from my roommate before the flight.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  9. The policy of the local library allows residents to ___ e-books, physical books, and even multimedia equipment for a limited period.
    a) borrow
    b) lend
    c) loan
  10. His father agreed to ___ him enough money to buy a new car, provided he repays it within two years.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  11. The couple obtained a substantial ___ from the bank to fund the purchase of their new home, and they plan to repay it over the next 20 years.
    a) loan
    b) lend
    c) borrow
  12. Despite his reluctance, he finally ___ his expensive camera to his friend, trusting that it would be returned in good condition.
    a) lent
    b) borrowed
    c) loaned
  13. The company specializes in ___ high-risk loans to startups that traditional banks won’t consider.
    a) borrowing
    b) lending
    c) loaning
  14. She politely declined to ___ her designer handbag to her coworker, worried that it might get damaged.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan
  15. They made the decision to ___ their property to a charity organization for an event, with the agreement that all damages would be covered.
    a) lend
    b) borrow
    c) loan

Advanced Answers:
1a, 2a, 3a, 4c, 5a, 6a, 7c, 8b, 9a, 10a, 11a, 12a, 13b, 14a, 15c

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