VOA慢速英语2019--End Your Confusion about Borrow and Lend

 

This week we answer a question we received in an email from Tina. She writes:

Question:

I just want to know how to use the words "borrow" and "lend" in a situation. Is it correct to say, "Could you lend me a pen?" or " Can I borrow your pen?" Thank you very much.

Answer:

These two words are a source of trouble for many English learners. The reason? They have about the same meaning, but each word's action goes in different directions.

“Borrow” means to take something from another person, knowing you will give it back to them.

“Lend” means to give something to another person expecting to get it back.

So the sentences you asked about are both correct. Your choice of “borrow” or “lend” depends on which direction is more important to you.

Imagine yourself in the middle of the picture. Anything you “borrow” moves toward¹ you. Things you "lend" go away from you.

Notice that the prepositions³ that often follow the verbs are different. We borrow from someone, but we lend to someone.

Let’s say you and I go shopping, Tina. I need to sign my name on a receipt⁴, but I do not have a pen. So I ask you, “Can I borrow a pen?” I chose “borrow” because I am thinking of the action as it relates to me. You are a good friend, so you lend me the pen. I forget it is yours and I put it in my bag.

Later, we meet a good friend and she asks for your email address. You search in your bag, but – no pen! You think, “I lent Jill my pen. And she didn’t give it back to me.” Now you are thinking of the action that you did. So, you can ask me, “Jill, do you remember that pen I lent you? I need it now.”

I feel bad that I forgot to return the pen. I say, “Sorry, Tina! I forgot that I borrowed it. Here you are!”

Be careful: personal pronouns⁵ like me, you, him and others never come after the verb “borrow,” but it is correct to use them after “lend,” as in, “Lend me a dollar for some ice cream.”

I hope this helps you understand “lend” and “borrow.”

And that’s Ask a Teacher!

I’m Jill Robbins.

Words in This Story

preposition² – n. a word used to show a relation

1 toward   

prep.对于，关于，接近，将近，向，朝

参考例句：

• Suddenly I saw a tall figure approaching toward the policeman.突然间我看到一个高大的身影朝警察靠近。
• Upon seeing her,I smiled and ran toward her. 看到她我笑了，并跑了过去。

2 preposition   

n.介词

参考例句：

• You should cancel this preposition in the sentence.你应该删去句子中的这个介词。
• We use different preposition to talk about time,days,months and seasons.我们用不动的介词来谈论时间，日，月和季节等。

3 prepositions   

n.介词( preposition的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• She lays a lot of emphasis on the usage of prepositions. 她把重点放在介词的使用上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Prepositions and conjunctions are particles. 介词和连词是小品词。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 receipt   

n.收据，收条；收到，接到

参考例句：

• We are in receipt of your letter of the 10th.我们收到了您十日的来函。
• I asked for a receipt.我要一张收据。

5 pronouns   

n.代词( pronoun的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Relative pronouns and adverbs introduce attributive clauses. 关系代词和关系副词引导定语从句。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• "I", "you"and "he" are all personal pronouns. I，you和he都是人称代词。 来自《简明英汉词典》