Irregular verb
The verb to lend
lend → lent → lent
B1Meaning: to let someone use something for a time · Type: irregular · Frequency: Top 100 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they lend·he/she/it lends - Past Simple:
lent - Past participle:
lent(the same as the Past Simple) - -ing form:
lending
Conjugation of the verb to lend
Present Simple
| I | lend |
| You | lend |
| He / She / It | lends |
| We | lend |
| You (pl.) | lend |
| They | lend |
Past Simple
| I | lent |
| You | lent |
| He / She / It | lent |
| We | lent |
| You (pl.) | lent |
| They | lent |
All the forms of the verb to lend
Present Simple
Full pagelend / lends
“I lend my car to my friend.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are lending
“I am lending a pencil to a friend right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagelent
“I lent her my book.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were lending
“I was lending a pencil to a friend when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has lent
“I have already lent a pencil to a friend.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad lent
“She had already lent a pencil to a friend when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill lend
“I will lend a pencil to a friend tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to lend
“I'm going to lend a pencil to a friend this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould lend
“I would lend a pencil to a friend if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to lend
1. Lending something
- I lent him my car.
- Can you lend me £10?
2. Lending books or clothes
- She lent me her dress.
- The library lends books.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Can you borrow me your pen? ❌
The person who gives lends. The person who takes borrows. So say Can you lend me your pen? or Can I borrow your pen? I lend you a pen → You borrow a pen from me.
2. Loan = the noun
A loan is something you lend or borrow, often money: a bank loan. In American English, loan is also a verb, especially for money.
What's next?
You can conjugate to lend. Now say it out loud.
This page explained everything. On PLAY, you practise this verb out loud in 3 minutes, until it comes naturally.
Practise to lend on PLAYFree · No sign-up · 3 minutes
For teachersReady-made activities to practise to lend in class
The Academy offers self-marking exercises and progress tracking for each student: your class practises, and you see who has got it and who needs more help.
Discover the Academy30-day free trial · No bank card needed
English contestConjugating to lend is a key skill in the English contest
Every year, the Big Challenge tests the key English verbs. Register your students so they can check their level in a real contest.
Register my students5,000 students every year · Primary and secondary
Related pages: lend
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of lend?+
The Past Simple of lend is lent, the same for every person. The past participle is also lent. Lend → lent → lent. The d becomes t, like send → sent and spend → spent.
What is the difference between lend and borrow?+
Lend = to give something to someone for a short time. Borrow = to take something from someone for a short time. I lend you my book. → You borrow my book. They are opposites.
How do you ask to borrow something?+
There are two ways. Can I borrow your pen? (you take). Can you lend me your pen? (the other person gives). Both are polite and correct.
Is it lend me the book or lend the book to me?+
Both are correct. Lend + person + thing: I lent her my book. Or lend + thing + to + person: I lent my book to her.
Is it lent or lended?+
Say lent. Lend is irregular: the d becomes t, like send → sent and spend → spent. Lended is a mistake.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/lend
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.