Lend or borrow?

Lend means ‘give something to someone for a short time, expecting that you will get it back’. The past simple and the -ed form are lent:

• I never lend my CDs to anyone.
• I lent Gary £30. (I expect that Gary will return this to me)

Borrow /ˈbɒr.əʊ/ is a regular verb meaning ‘get something from someone, intending to give it back after a short time’:

• Could I borrow your pen for a minute, please?
• Laura used to borrow money from me all the time.

Typical error

When you give something, you lend it; when you get or receive something, you borrow it:

• Can I borrow your dictionary?
• Not: Can I lend your dictionary?