The verb to lend · Conjugation
Past Simple of lend
The answer: lent
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to lend is lent.
Example: I lent her my book.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | lent |
| You | lent |
| He / She / It | lent |
| We | lent |
| You (pl.) | lent |
| They | lent |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Can I lend your pen? ❌
Lend = you give. Borrow = you take. So say Can I borrow your pen? These two verbs are opposites, and many learners mix them up.
2. Lended ❌
Lend is an irregular verb. Its Past Simple is lent, never lended. The d becomes t: send → sent, spend → spent.
3. I lent to her my book ❌
Choose one of the two patterns: I lent her my book (no preposition) or I lent my book to her (with to). With to, the thing comes first.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of lend?+
The Past Simple of lend is lent. The past participle is also lent (the same). Lend → lent → lent.
Is lended correct?+
No. Lend is irregular. Its Past Simple is lent (the d becomes t), never lended. Like send → sent and spend → spent.
Lend or borrow: which one do I use?+
Lend = you give something for a short time. Borrow = you take something for a short time. I lend you my book. You borrow my book. They are opposites.
How do you ask someone to lend you something?+
Say Can you lend me + thing, or Can I borrow + thing. Can you lend me £10? Can I borrow your pen? Both work.
Where does the person go after lend?+
There are two patterns: I lent her my book (person + thing, no preposition) or I lent my book to her (thing + to + person). Both are correct.
Related pages: lend Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
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/past-simple
© 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.
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More forms of the verb to lend are coming soon.