Lending/Borrowing
Lesson Plan- Lending and Borrowing
Everyone has family, friends, or colleagues who at one time or another will want to borrow something that you have. It may just be a pen to write a note, or money for lunch, or something more substantial like your truck for a day so they can move or the use of your lake-side cabin for a weekend getaway. Whatever it is, there are standard expressions that can be used. Look at these examples.
English Expressions- Lending and Borrowing
Expression Response
Could you lend me (…a dollar)? Of course, my pleasure.
Sorry, I’m broke.
May I borrow ( … your text book)? Sure, go ahead.
Yes, but only after I’m finished
with it.
Do you mind if I use ( …your pen)? Not at all, help yourself.
I’m sorry, but this is my lucky pen
and I never let anyone use it.
Will you lend me ( … your car)? Maybe, where are you going and
when will you be returning?
No way.
Lend and borrow are frequently used incorrectly by non-native speakers. They are very similar in meaning, but can not be used interchangeably. It may help if you think of borrow to mean receive or take something. When using borrow, the subject of the sentence is receiving something. Think of lend to mean give something. When using lend, the subject of the sentence is giving something.
Can you borrow me your book? Incorrect
Can I borrow your book? Correct
Can you lend me your book? Correct
Dialogue- Lending and Borrowing
Alfred: Olive, can I borrow your new Stone’s CD?
Olive: No.
Alfred: Why not, I’ll give it back. I just want to make a copy.
Olive: I know; I trust you. It’s just that I only got it this morning and haven’t
listened to that much yet. I’ll lend it to you in a couple of days.
Alfred: Ok, that will work.
Olive: Will you lend me your truck on Saturday morning. I have to take a
load to the dump.
Alfred: Sure, as long as you return it by noon and put a few gallons of
gas in it before you return it. My sister wants to borrow it to help her
friend move.
Olive: No problem. Do you want me to return it to your place or your
sister’s?
Alfred: Better make it my place. She could change her mind, you know
how she is.
Conversation Activities- Lending and Borrowing
1. Pair work- discussion
Do you lend or borrow things often? Tell your partner about it using some of
the ideas for discussion below. Your partner should ask questions to get
more information.
what do you lend/borrow
how long are things borrowed or lent for
how often does it happen
have you every had problems getting it back or returning it
2. Pair work- discussion
Ask your partner if you can borrow some of the items below, using the
expressions above. Your partner should ask how long you intend to
have the item and when you plan to return it. If your partner refuses
to lend the item, find out why and try to persuade him to lend it
anyway.
Cell phone Clock Dictionary
Cassette player Bicycle Truck
Computer Lawn mower Money
Other Links
