English (UK) · Make, Do & Other Tricky Verbs

Borrow or Lend? Bring or Take? Lose or Miss?

Many languages use one verb for each of these pairs. English uses two.

borrow means to take something for a short time: Can I borrow your pen? lend means to give it for a short time: Can you lend me your pen? Past: borrowed, lent.
bring moves something to where the speaker or listener is (here): Bring your guitar when you visit us. take moves it away to another place (there): Take these books back to the library. Past: brought, took.
lose means to not have something any more, or to not win: lose your keys, lose a match, lose weight. miss means to be too late for something, not be there for it, or feel sad without someone: miss the bus, miss a call, I miss you. Past: lost, missed.

Examples

Can I your pen for a minute?Show answer

Can I borrow your pen for a minute?

Could you me some money until Friday?Show answer

Could you lend me some money until Friday?

Hurry up or we'll the train!Show answer

Hurry up or we'll miss the train!

I'm so careless! I always my keys.Show answer

I'm so careless! I always lose my keys.

me a glass of water, please.Show answer

Bring me a glass of water, please.

You can books from the library for three weeks.Show answer

You can borrow books from the library for three weeks.

Can you this letter to the post office for me?Show answer

Can you take this letter to the post office for me?

I really you when you're away.Show answer

I really miss you when you're away.

I want to weight before the summer.Show answer

I want to lose weight before the summer.

Come to my party and your sister with you!Show answer

Come to my party and bring your sister with you!