lends

USAGE SUMMARY

'lends' is a correct word in written English.
You can use it as a verb in the present tense to refer to the action of providing something to someone temporarily. For example: "My friend lends me her car every week so I can go to work".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It also lends an absurd quality to moments such as Kanye West's VMAs appearance in 2009, when he interrupted a Taylor Swift acceptance speech to declare that Beyoncé should have won instead.

The Guardian - Music

This lends to the curves a certain precision that is otherwise not possible generally.

WikiHow

Self-discipline lends itself well to academic focus, helping to banish procrastination.

The Guardian

Peter makes them roadworthy and then lends them out for free.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A tendency to drool lends it a lascivious element.

The Guardian - Film

A supposed consultation process, where citizens were sent questionnaires (when the document was essentially already finished), hardly lends the process legitimacy; only a popular referendum on the constitution could.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the Rockefellers' decision to cut their ties with oil lends the divestment campaign huge symbolic importance because of their family history.

The Guardian

The actor's personal history as a convicted murderer and Baltimore drug dealer (a career that continued well into her time working on the Wire, apparently) lends credence and disquiet to a character described by Stephen King as "the most terrifying female villain ever to appear in a television series".

The Guardian

My university seems to rely on its recent graduates to pick up the slack from faculty on leave, perhaps because they are cheaper to employ than lecturers and still possess the valuable "Dr" before their name that lends credibility in the eyes of students.

The Guardian

Their great size too, makes them the very embodiment of grief, while the play of their trunks lends sprezzatura.

The Guardian - Books

It lends a strangely abstract quality to something supposedly conventional.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lends" in the context of abstract qualities like credibility or support, ensure the subject clearly indicates what is providing the quality.

Common error

Avoid using "lends" when the subject is receiving something rather than providing it. "Borrows" or "takes" would be more appropriate in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lends" is that of a transitive verb used in the third-person singular present tense. It signifies the act of temporarily providing something to someone or attributing a quality, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Books

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lends" functions as a transitive verb signifying the action of providing something temporarily or contributing a particular quality. Ludwig highlights its frequent use in contexts where something adds or imparts to another element. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and sees very common use, particularly in news and media. While versatile, careful attention should be given to ensure the subject is indeed providing the indicated quality, not receiving it. Related terms include "imparts", "contributes", and "provides", offering nuanced alternatives depending on the specific meaning intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loans

Focuses specifically on the act of lending money or other valuables with the expectation of return.

imparts credibility to

Specifically refers to the act of adding believability or trustworthiness.

imparts

Focuses on conveying a quality or characteristic, rather than a physical object.

contributes

Highlights the act of adding to something, often in a less direct or temporary manner than "lends".

extends

Highlights the act of offering or making something available, often in terms of time or assistance.

provides

Emphasizes the act of supplying or making something available.

confers

Implies a more formal granting of a title, right, or quality.

bestows

Suggests a more formal or ceremonial act of giving.

adds

Indicates a simple act of increasing or supplementing something.

gives

A very general term for providing something, potentially less formal than "lends".

FAQs

How is "lends" used in a sentence?

The word "lends" is used to describe the act of giving something to someone for a period of time, with the expectation that it will be returned. It can also be used figuratively to describe how something contributes a particular quality. For example, "The actor's experience "lends" credibility to the role."

What words can I use instead of "lends"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "provides", "imparts", "contributes", or "loans".

What is the difference between "lends" and "loans"?

"Lends" is a verb that describes the act of giving something temporarily, while "loans" can be a verb or a noun. As a verb, "loans" means the same as "lends", but as a noun, it refers to the thing that is being lent (usually money). For example, "The bank "lends" money in the form of "loans"."

Is it correct to say something "lends itself to" a particular use?

Yes, it is correct. The expression ""lends" itself to" means that something is well-suited or adaptable to a particular purpose or activity. For instance, "This project "lends" itself to a variety of approaches."