borrow
- lend
If you borrow something that belongs to someone else, you use it for a period of time and then return it.
Could I borrow your car?
I borrowed this book from the library.
If you lend something you own to someone else, you allow them to have it or use it for a period of time. The past tense form and -ed participle of lend is lent.
I lent her £50.
Would you lend me your calculator?
Be careful
You don't normally talk about borrowing or lending things that can't move. Don't say, for example, ‘Can I borrow your garage next week?’ You say ‘Can I use your garage next week?’
You don't normally talk about borrowing or lending things that can't move. Don't say, for example, ‘Can I borrow your garage next week?’ You say ‘Can I use your garage next week?’
You can use our washing machine.
Similarly, you don't usually say ‘He lent me his office while he was on holiday’. You say ‘He let me use his office while he was on holiday’.
She brought them mugs of coffee and let them use her bath.