I wonder how an American pronounces…
borrow … lend
/ˈba-ɚ-row/ … /lɛnd/
In this video, we learn the meaning
of borrow and lend.
Now, we have to decide when to use each verb.
The real secret is … the
borrower and the lender
can each use both verbs.
So…
Step 1: Who is speaking?
Step 2: What is the verb?
Let me show you how this pattern works.
speaker = verb => I
(If the speaker is the same
as the verb, the pronoun is I.)
Borrower: Can I borrow your book?
speaker = borrower
verb = borrow
pronoun = I
Lender: No, I can’t lend you my book.
speaker = lender
verb = lend
pronoun = I
speaker ≠ verb => you
(However, if the speaker is not the same
as the verb, the pronoun is you, or another person.)
Borrower: Will you lend me your book?
speaker = borrower
verb = lend
pronoun = you
Lender: No, you can’t borrow my book.
I need it for the test.
speaker = lender
verb = borrow
pronoun = you
The little boy has a wagon.
His friend wants to borrow it.
Friend:
Can I borrow your wagon?
Will you lend me your wagon?
Little boy:
No, you can’t borrow my wagon.
No, I won’t lend you my wagon.
My dog likes going for a ride in it.
borrower:
Could I borrow your pencil for a minute?
Could you lend me your pencil for a minute?
lender:
Sure, you can borrow my pencil.
Sure, I’ll lend it to you,…after
I finish filling out this form.
Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” (1602)
“Neither a borrower nor a lender be…”.
Do you agree with Shakespeare’s
advice not to borrow or lend things?
And let’s finish with an idiom
that uses only the verb ‘lend‘.
Can you lend me a hand?
Boy, did it snow last night.
I could really use some help.
And now it’s your turn.
Which is the pronoun in each sentence: I (or) you?
