Giving and given come from the same verb, give, but they have different grammatical functions and meanings. Giving is the -ing form of give and can function as a present participle, gerund, or part of a continuous tense. Given is the past participle of give and is commonly used with have/has/had, in passive constructions, or as a preposition meaning considering or taking into account.
For example, “She is giving me advice” describes an action happening now, while “She has given me advice” describes an action that has already happened. In a sentence such as “Given the circumstances, we decided to leave,” given means considering the circumstances.
Quick Answer
Giving = the -ing form of give, usually referring to an ongoing action or the act of giving.
Given = the past participle of give, used with perfect tenses and passive constructions, and sometimes meaning considering.
- She is giving me a book.
- She has given me a book.
- I was given a book.
- Given the situation, we left.
Why People Confuse It
Both words come from give, but they serve different grammatical purposes.
The forms of give are:
| Form | Word |
|---|---|
| Base form | give |
| Past tense | gave |
| Present participle | giving |
| Past participle | given |
So:
give → gave → given
but:
give → giving
A common mistake is using gave or giving where given is required after have, has, or had.
Giving
Giving is the present participle or gerund form of give.
1. Giving in a Continuous Tense
Use giving after forms of be to describe an ongoing action.
She is giving a presentation.
They are giving us instructions.
He was giving me advice.
We will be giving away free samples.
2. Giving as a Gerund
Giving can function as a noun.
Giving is better than receiving.
Giving to others can be rewarding.
I enjoy giving advice.
Here, giving refers to the activity or act of giving.
3. Giving in Other Expressions
Giving also appears in many common expressions:
- giving advice
- giving permission
- giving information
- giving an example
- giving a speech
- giving someone a chance
- giving someone a hand
- giving someone a call
For example:
Thanks for giving me a chance.
Given
Given is the past participle of give.
1. Given With Have, Has, or Had
Use given with have, has, or had in perfect constructions.
She has given me some advice.
They have given us permission.
He had given her the information.
I have given this some thought.
You should not use gave after has, have, or had.
- ❌ She has gave me the book.
- ✅ She has given me the book.
2. Given in the Passive Voice
Given is also used in passive constructions.
I was given a second chance.
He was given a warning.
They were given instructions.
She was given an opportunity to explain.
Here, someone receives something rather than actively giving it.
3. Given Meaning “Considering”
Given can also function as a preposition meaning considering, taking into account, or because of.
Given the circumstances, we decided to cancel the event.
This means:
Considering the circumstances, we decided to cancel the event.
Another example:
Given his experience, he is the best person for the job.
Meaning:
Considering his experience, he is the best person for the job.
Giving vs Given Comparison Table
| Word | Grammatical Form | Common Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giving | Present participle / gerund | The act of giving or an ongoing action | She is giving me advice. |
| Given | Past participle | Something that has been given | She has given me advice. |
| Given | Passive | Something received | I was given advice. |
| Given | Preposition | Considering | Given the circumstances, we left. |
When to Use “Giving”
Use giving when you are talking about:
- An action happening now
- An ongoing action
- The activity of giving
- A gerund functioning as a noun
Examples:
He is giving a speech.
She enjoys giving advice.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
They were giving away free tickets.
When to Use “Given”
Use given when:
- It follows have, has, or had.
- It is part of a passive construction.
- It means considering or taking into account.
Examples:
She has given me permission.
I was given a choice.
Given the circumstances, we should wait.
Examples (10+)
Giving
- She is giving a presentation.
- He is giving me useful advice.
- Thank you for giving me a chance.
- They are giving away free tickets.
- I enjoy giving gifts to my friends.
- He was giving instructions to the team.
- She is giving a speech tonight.
Given
- She has given me excellent advice.
- They have given us permission.
- I was given an opportunity to explain.
- He had given her the information.
- We were given clear instructions.
- Given the circumstances, we should leave.
- Given his experience, he should handle the project.
- Given the weather, the event may be canceled.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: “Has gave”
❌ She has gave me the book.
✅ She has given me the book.
After has/have/had, use the past participle given.
Mistake 2: “Was giving” vs. “was given”
These have completely different meanings.
She was giving me a book.
She was the person performing the action.
She was given a book.
She received the book.
Mistake 3: Using “giving” after “has”
❌ He has giving me advice.
✅ He has given me advice.
Mistake 4: Confusing “given” with “gave”
Gave is the simple past:
She gave me a book yesterday.
Given is the past participle:
She has given me a book.
Giving vs Gave vs Given
These three forms are especially important to distinguish.
I give him advice.
I gave him advice yesterday.
I have given him advice many times.
Easy Rule
Give → present
Gave → simple past
Given → past participle
Giving → -ing form
Memory Trick
Remember the four forms:
Give → Gave → Given → Giving
Then remember:
Gave = past
I gave him the book yesterday.
Given = have/has/had or passive
I have given him the book.
He was given the book.
Giving = ongoing / -ing
I am giving him the book.
American vs British English
Giving and given are used in the same basic ways in both American and British English.
There is no significant difference in the grammar between the two varieties.
Similar Words
You may also want to compare:
- Give vs gave vs given
- Gave vs given
- Giving vs gifting
- Give vs provide
- Given vs provided
- Giving vs taking
- Given that vs considering that
Final Verdict
Giving and given are different forms of the verb give.
Use giving for an ongoing action or the activity of giving:
She is giving me advice.
Use given as the past participle with have/has/had, in passive constructions, or to mean considering:
She has given me advice.
I was given advice.
Given the circumstances, we left.
The key is to remember that gave is the simple past, while given is the past participle.
FAQs
Is “given” the past tense of “give”?
No. Gave is the simple past tense of give. Given is the past participle.
- Present: give
- Past: gave
- Past participle: given
Is “giving” a verb?
Yes. Giving is the present participle of give, and it can also function as a gerund.
She is giving a speech.
Giving can be rewarding.
Should I say “has given” or “has giving”?
The correct form is:
has given ✅
After has, use the past participle given.
What is the difference between “giving” and “given”?
Giving generally describes an ongoing action or the act of giving. Given is the past participle and can also mean considering.
Is “was giving” correct?
Yes.
She was giving a presentation.
This means she was performing the action at that time.
Is “was given” correct?
Yes.
She was given an opportunity.
This means someone gave her an opportunity.
What does “given the circumstances” mean?
Given the circumstances means considering the circumstances or taking the circumstances into account.
Is “given” formal?
It depends on how it is used. Given is completely normal in everyday English, but expressions such as “given the circumstances” can sound somewhat formal or polished.
Conclusion
Giving and given may look similar, but they perform different grammatical roles. Giving is the -ing form of give and is used for ongoing actions or as a gerund. Given is the past participle, used with perfect tenses, passive constructions, and expressions such as “given the circumstances.”
Remember the basic forms:
give → gave → given → giving
Once you know which verb form your sentence requires, choosing between giving and given becomes much easier.
Remember This
Giving = -ing form
She is giving me advice.
Given = past participle
She has given me advice.
Given = considering
Given the circumstances, we left.
Quick rule: “Giving” describes an action in progress; “given” describes something completed, received, or taken into account.
