English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
BORROW or LEND?
Can I ~lend~ a pen please (nonstandard)?
Can I *borrow* a pen please (standard)?
If you borrow something that belongs to someone else, you take it or use it for a period of time, usually with their permission.
I can’t ~borrow~ you my car (nonstandard).
I can’t *lend* you my car (standard).
If you lend something that you own, you allow someone to have it or use it for a period of time.
Note that when the action involves the first person pronouns (I/we) being receivers, you use “borrow”, and when it involves the second and third persons (you, s/he, they) being a giver, you use “lend”:
I borrow your thing. ✔️
You lend me your thing. ✔️
GAB
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