Given vs. Giving — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 9, 2023
Given is the past participle of "give", often used as an adjective. Giving is the present participle of "give", indicating an ongoing action.
Difference Between Given and Giving
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Key Differences
Given is the past participle form of the verb "give". When we say something has been given, it means the action is completed. For instance, the phrase "a gift given" indicates the act of giving has already occurred. On the other hand, Giving is the present participle form of "give". It denotes a continuous action. For instance, "She is giving a presentation" suggests the action is still happening.
Given can also act as an adjective, implying something that's assumed as a premise. For example, "Given the circumstances, he did well." This usage does not directly refer to the act of giving. In contrast, Giving always relates to the act or process of giving. For instance, "His giving nature made him popular among friends."
Given has another function: it can be a noun, referring to a known factor or condition. For instance, "The givens of this equation are clear." Giving, however, mainly functions as a verb form, suggesting the act or process of bestowing something to someone, like in the phrase "Her giving heart knew no bounds."
In summary, Given has a more versatile usage, working as a past participle, adjective, or noun, while Giving primarily depicts an ongoing action.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Past participle, can be adjective or noun
Present participle
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Indicates
Completed action or assumed premise
Ongoing action
Examples
"A task given", "Given the situation"
"She is giving a gift", "He's giving his best"
Common Phrases
"Given that", "The givens are"
"Giving it a try", "Giving heart"
Usage in Sentence
"The book was given to me."
"She is giving a speech tomorrow."
Compare with Definitions
Given
Past participle of "give".
The letter was given to her yesterday.
Giving
Present participle of "give".
She's giving a presentation.
Given
Specific, predetermined.
The given time for the meeting is 3 PM.
Giving
Generous in providing aid or donations.
He's known for his giving nature.
Given
Granted or bestowed without payment.
Free tickets were given to the early birds.
Giving
Yielding or producing.
The soil is giving a good harvest this year.
Given
Inclined or disposed.
He's not given to making rash decisions.
Giving
Conveying or transmitting.
The radio is giving the news.
Given
Past participle of give.
Giving
Flexible or accommodating.
This material is giving, so it stretches easily.
Given
Specified; fixed
We will meet at a given time and location.
Giving
To make a present of
We gave her flowers for her birthday.
Given
Granted as a supposition; acknowledged or assumed
Given the condition of the engine, it is a wonder that it even starts.
Giving
To place in the hands of; pass
Give me the scissors.
Given
Having a tendency; inclined
My neighbor is given to lavish spending.
Giving
To deliver in exchange or recompense; pay
Gave five dollars for the book.
Given
Bestowed as a gift; presented.
Giving
To let go for a price; sell
Gave the used car away for two thousand dollars.
Given
Something assumed or taken for granted
"It's a given that the writer of short stories will be keeping his day job" (Donald E. Westlake).
Giving
To administer
Give him some cough medicine.
Given
Inflection of give
Giving
To convey by a physical action
Gave me a punch in the nose.
Given
Considering; taking into account.
Given the current situation, I don't think that's possible.
Giving
To inflict as punishment
Was given life imprisonment for the crime.
Given
A condition that is assumed to be true without further evaluation.
When evaluating this math problem, don't forget to read the givens.
Giving
To bestow, especially officially; confer
The Bill of Rights gives us freedom of speech.
Given
Already arranged. en
Giving
To accord or tender to another
Give him your confidence.
Given
Currently discussed. en
Giving
To put temporarily at the disposal of
Gave them the cottage for a week.
Given
Particular, specific.
No more than three people can be in that space at a given time.
Giving
To entrust to another, usually for a specified reason
Gave me the keys for safekeeping.
Given
Assumed as fact or hypothesis.
Given that we will get the resources, what do we want to achieve?
Giving
To communicate, convey, or offer for conveyance
Give him my best wishes. Give us the latest news.
Given
(with to) Prone, disposed.
He was given to taking a couple of glasses of port at his club.
Giving
To endure the loss of; sacrifice
Gave her son to the war.
Gave her life for her country.
Given
Granted; assumed; supposed to be known; set forth as a known quantity, relation, or premise.
Giving
To devote or apply completely
Gives herself to her work.
Given
Stated; fixed; as, in a given time.
Giving
To furnish or contribute
Gave their time to help others.
Given
An assumption that is taken for granted
Giving
To offer in good faith; pledge
Give me your word.
Given
Specified in advance;
A given number
We will meet at a given time and location
Giving
To allot as a portion or share.
Given
Acknowledged as a supposition;
Given the engine's condition, it is a wonder that it started
Giving
To bestow (a name, for example).
Given
Having possession delivered or transferred without compensation
Giving
To attribute (blame, for example) to someone; assign.
Given
(usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward;
He is apt to ignore matters he considers unimportant
I am not minded to answer any questions
Giving
To award as due
Gave us first prize.
Given
Assumed as a premise or known.
Given the weather, the match was postponed.
Giving
To emit or utter
Gave a groan.
Gave a muted response.
Giving
To submit for consideration, acceptance, or use
Give an opinion.
Give an excuse.
Giving
To proffer to another
Gave the toddler my hand.
Giving
To consent to engage (oneself) in sexual intercourse with another person.
Giving
To perform for an audience
Give a recital.
Giving
To present to view
Gave the sign to begin.
Giving
To offer as entertainment
Give a dinner party.
Giving
To propose as a toast.
Giving
To be a source of; afford
His remark gave offense. Music gives her pleasure.
Giving
To cause to catch or be subject to (a disease or bodily condition)
The draft gave me a cold.
Giving
To guide or direct, as by persuasion or behavior. Used with an infinitive phrase
You gave me to imagine you approved of my report.
Giving
To yield or produce
Cows give milk.
Giving
To bring forth or bear
Trees that give fruit.
Giving
To produce as a result of calculation
5 × 12 gives 60.
Giving
To manifest or show
Gives promise of brilliance.
Gave evidence of tampering.
Giving
To carry out (a physical movement)
Give a wink.
Give a start.
Giving
To permit one to have or take
Gave us an hour to finish.
Giving
To take an interest to the extent of
"My dear, I don't give a damn" (Margaret Mitchell).
Giving
To make gifts or donations
Gives generously to charity.
Giving
To yield to physical force
The sail gave during the storm.
Giving
To collapse from force or pressure
The roof gave under the weight of the snow.
Giving
To yield to change
Both sides will have to give on some issues.
Giving
To afford access or a view; open
The doors give onto a terrace.
Giving
(Slang) To be in progress; happen
What gives?.
Giving
Capacity or inclination to yield under pressure.
Giving
The quality or condition of resilience; springiness
"Fruits that have some give ... will have more juice than hard ones" (Elizabeth Schneider).
Giving
Present participle of give
Giving
Having the tendency to give; generous
Giving
The act of bestowing as a gift; a conferring or imparting.
Giving
A gift; a benefaction.
Giving
The act of softening, breaking, or yielding.
Giving
The act of bestowing as a gift; a conferring or imparting.
Giving
A gift; a benefaction.
Giving
The act of softening, breaking, or yielding.
His givings out were of an infinite distanceFrom his true meant design.
Giving
The act of giving
Giving
The imparting of news or promises etc.;
He gave us the news and made a great show of the giving
Giving his word of honor seemed to come too easily
Giving
Disposing of property by voluntary transfer without receiving value in return;
The alumni followed a program of annual giving
Giving
Given or giving freely;
Was a big tipper
The bounteous goodness of God
Bountiful compliments
A freehanded host
A handsome allowance
Saturday's child is loving and giving
A liberal backer of the arts
A munificent gift
Her fond and openhanded grandfather
Common Curiosities
Can "Giving" be an adjective?
Yes, describing generosity, as in "a giving person".
Is "Given" ever used as a noun?
Yes, as in "The givens of the equation are".
What part of speech is "Given" primarily?
Given is primarily a past participle of "give".
Does "Given" indicate a completed action?
Yes, like in "The gift was given".
What's a common phrase using "Given"?
"Given the situation".
Can "Given" denote an assumption?
Yes, like in "Given that it's raining, we'll stay inside".
What's a synonym for the adjective form of "Giving"?
Generous.
Is "Given" always related to the act of giving?
No, it can also imply a premise or known condition.
Can "Given" be used as an adjective?
Yes, for example: "Given the circumstances".
What does "Giving" primarily indicate?
Giving primarily indicates an ongoing action.
What's an example of "Giving" indicating ongoing action?
"She's giving a talk tomorrow".
Can "Giving" refer to a completed action?
No, it indicates an ongoing action.
Which is more versatile in usage, "Given" or "Giving"?
"Given" has more versatile uses.
How is "Giving" used in the context of flexibility?
As in "a giving material", meaning it stretches.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
