borrow

USAGE SUMMARY

"borrow" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone to loan or lend you something, or when you are saying that you are taking something from someone with the intention of returning it. For example: "Can I borrow your car for an hour?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In January 2011, we asked the community to borrow every book (16,000) in our library in protest of its proposed closure.

The Guardian - Books

Of all the senators who attempted Wednesday to rally support for the doomed Manchin-Toomey background check amendment, Connecticut's Democratic freshman representative, Chris Murphy, probably faced the greatest temptation to borrow the moral authority of the Newtown families.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, declining real wages have made consumers reluctant to borrow, undermining efforts to increase consumer spending.

The Guardian - Business

But for students from low-income families who can't borrow from parents, high student housing fees can price them out of a university education.

The Guardian

At 21 she qualified as a nurse at Stockport College and rented a nearby flat, making frequent visits back home to borrow milk and money, and sunbathe in the garden.

The Guardian

Cowen and his administration might even borrow a phrase from Maggie when faced with criticism that their tax and slash budget crucified PAYE workers and their families in this Holy Week.

The Guardian

9.43am: UK public finance figures for March (just released) show that the UK government had to borrow over £18bn last month - more than expected.

The Guardian - Business

The Liberal Democrats passed a motion at conference calling on the government to "expand the bank's scale and remit as fast as possible, including relaxing the restriction on its ability to borrow before total public sector debt begins to fall".

The Guardian

This highlights the flaws in the Treasury argument that the GIB shouldn't be able to borrow yet because the 'debt' would show up on government balance sheets.

The Guardian

The reality is that allowing the bank to borrow immediately would bring in far more private sector money, resulting in greater tax receipts for the Treasury.

The Guardian

First, the GIB must be allowed to borrow from the capital markets the only way to make it a bank rather than a token fund, and to assure investors it's the real deal.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal contexts, specify the terms of borrowing, such as duration and any associated conditions. This ensures clarity and avoids misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "borrow" when you mean to offer something to someone. "Borrow" means to receive something from someone temporarily, while "lend" means to give something to someone temporarily. For example, say "Can I borrow your pen?" not "Can I lend your pen?".

Linguistic Context

The verb "borrow" primarily functions to denote the act of receiving something temporarily, with the expectation of returning it. According to Ludwig, it can also imply adopting an idea or a style. Examples illustrate its usage in various contexts, from borrowing physical items to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "borrow" is a common verb that means to receive something temporarily, expecting to return it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It's essential to distinguish "borrow" from "lend", as they represent opposite actions. "Borrow" sees frequent usage in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. When writing, clarify the intent to return what is borrowed to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "take on loan" and "obtain temporarily", providing alternative ways to express the same concept. Its versatility and clear meaning make it a valuable word in English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Obtain temporarily

Focuses on the act of getting something for a limited period.

Take on loan

Implies a formal agreement for temporary use, often involving institutions.

Use temporarily

Highlights the action of utilizing something for a short duration.

Take and return

Emphasizes both the act of taking and the obligation to give back.

Get the use of

Focuses on gaining the right to use something.

Lease

Suggests a formal rental agreement, often for a longer term.

Rent

Implies paying for the temporary use of something.

Imitate

Focuses on adopting someone's style or behavior.

Adopt

Implies taking something and making it one's own, not necessarily returning it.

Appropriate

Suggests taking something, often without permission.

FAQs

How to use "borrow" in a sentence?

You can use "borrow" to indicate receiving something temporarily with the intention of returning it, as in "Can I borrow your book?". It can also mean adopting an idea, as in "He likes to "adopt" phrases from other languages".

What can I say instead of "borrow"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "take on loan", "obtain temporarily", or "use temporarily".

Which is correct, "borrow from" or "borrow to"?

"Borrow from" is used to indicate the source from which something is borrowed, as in "I need to borrow money from the bank". "Borrow to" is less common but can be used to indicate the purpose of borrowing, such as "borrow to invest".

What's the difference between "borrow" and "loan"?

"Borrow" is a verb that describes the act of receiving something temporarily, while "loan" can be a verb or a noun. As a verb, "loan" means to give something temporarily. As a noun, "loan" refers to the thing that is lent, as in "Take this "loan" and pay me back later."