Part 6: Lend or borrow: what's the difference? - English In A Minute

'Lend' means 'to give something to someone' generally for a short time.

For example: The bank lent me some money.

If you want to say who you lent something to, you can use the preposition 'to'.

I lent my mobile phone to James. Oh no! I forgot my pen. Can you lend me a pen?

'Borrow' means 'to ask someone for something'.

Oh no! I can't read this. Can I borrow your glasses?

If you want to say who you borrowed something from, you can use the preposition 'from'.

For example: I borrowed a book from the library.

Oh, I'm late!

I need to borrow a laptop from Sam for my meeting – got to go!