lend money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lend money" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of giving someone money with the expectation that it will be paid back. Example: "I decided to lend money to my friend to help him cover his unexpected expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Banks continue to borrow and lend money.

The Economist

Banks can lend money in two ways.

The New York Times

They let individuals lend money directly to small, unlisted businesses.

The Economist

They do have organizations that lend money interest-free.

The New York Times

Someone has to lend money in the first place.

The Economist

A capitalist would lend money for a marine trading expedition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"In 2009, nobody was lining up to lend money to General Motors, or lend money to anyone," Mr. Biden said.

The New York Times

"It's a cliché, but when you lend money to a friend, when you lend money to family, it changes things".

The New York Times

Banks seem to lend money under virtually any circumstances.

The New York Times

LEND MONEY If you lend money to family members -- say, to buy a house or a car or to start a business -- you create a win-win situation.

The New York Times

To avoid such distress, custom urges us not to do business with family or lend money to friends or, for other reasons, lend money to a cat.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using "lend money". In formal settings, "loan funds" or "extend credit" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "lend money" when you actually mean "give money" as a gift. Lending implies an expectation of repayment, while giving does not. Make it clear if the transfer of money is a loan or a gift to prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lend money" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of providing funds with the expectation of repayment. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature in English, fitting seamlessly into various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lend money" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of providing funds with the expectation of repayment. As Ludwig confirms, it's widely used across diverse contexts, especially in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, it's important to be clear about the terms of the transaction. Alternatives like "loan funds" or "extend credit" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. Remember to distinguish between "lend money" and "give money" to avoid any confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loan funds

Focuses on the formal act of providing money as a loan, often implying a structured agreement.

extend credit

Emphasizes the act of making credit available, implying a financial agreement with repayment terms.

provide financing

Highlights the act of supplying the necessary funds for a specific purpose or project.

advance funds

Stresses the provision of money ahead of time, often for a specific need or investment.

grant a loan

Focuses on the formal approval and issuance of a loan, emphasizing the lending institution's action.

supply capital

Implies providing a significant amount of money, often for business or investment purposes.

offer financial assistance

Broadly refers to providing money or other financial support, not necessarily as a loan.

make an advance

Suggests giving someone money before it is due, with the expectation of future repayment.

provide seed money

Indicates providing initial capital to start a business or project.

put up capital

Emphasizes the act of investing one's own money into a venture, often with associated risk.

FAQs

How can I use "lend money" in a sentence?

You can use "lend money" to describe the act of providing funds to someone with the expectation of repayment. For example, "The bank decided to "lend money" to small businesses to stimulate the economy."

What are some alternatives to "lend money"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "loan funds", "extend credit", or "provide financing" as alternatives to "lend money".

Is it grammatically correct to say "lend money to" someone?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. For instance, "The organization decided to "lend money" to aspiring entrepreneurs."

What is the difference between "lend money" and "borrow money"?

"Lend money" means to give money to someone with the expectation of repayment, while "borrow money" means to receive money from someone with the intention of repaying it.