Ever found yourself questioning whether you should say lent or lended? You’re not alone! Many people mix up these two terms when talking about the past tense of the verb “lend.”
Let’s clear up the difference between lent and lended and figure out when to use each.
Understanding Lent And Lended
Lent: Definition and Usage
Lent is the correct past tense of the verb lend. It is used when someone gives something temporarily, expecting it to be returned.
This form is grammatically accepted in both casual and formal contexts.
For example:
- “I lent her my book, and she promised to return it by Monday.”
- “He lent me his car for the weekend.”
Lended: Definition and Usage
Lended is an incorrect form of the past tense of lend. While it may be heard in informal or colloquial speech, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English.
For instance, saying:
- “He lended me his phone” should instead be “He lent me his phone.”
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Lent | Lended |
| Definition | The correct past tense of “lend,” meaning to temporarily give something. | An incorrect form of the past tense of “lend.” |
| Common Usage | “I lent him my laptop for the day.” | “She lended me her pen” (incorrect). |
| Key Differences | Accepted in both formal and informal speech. | Incorrect and not grammatically acceptable in standard English. |
When to Use Lent vs. Lended
- Use lent when referring to something that was given temporarily with the expectation of return. It’s correct for both formal writing and casual speech.
- Avoid using lended in any formal or informal context, as it is not the proper past tense of lend. Stick with lent to ensure clarity and accuracy.
Everyday Usage Examples
- “She lent me her jacket when it got cold outside.” (Lent used correctly)
- “I lent my neighbor some tools for the garden project.” (Lent used correctly)
- “They lent us their spare keys while we were locked out.”
- “My friend lent me a ride to the airport.”
- “He lent a helping hand when I needed it.”
- “She shouldn’t have said lended; it’s always lent.”
Conclusion
To summarize, lent is the only correct past tense form of the verb lend. While you may hear lended occasionally, it is not grammatically correct and should be avoided in both writing and conversation.
Now that you understand the difference, you can confidently choose the right word next time you’re talking about lending something!