Page 600 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing
P. 600
Lend is a verb meaning to allow someone to borrow, as in “Lend me
ten dollars until payday,” or “She lent her book to another student.”
Loan is a noun meaning something borrowed, as in “He went to the
bank for a mortgage loan.”
Correct and Incorrect Example of Lend and
Loan
I was not sure the bank would loan me the money.
I was not sure the bank would lend me the money.
Real-World Writing: Lend? Loan?
Who Cares!
People who care about English also care about the distinction
between lend and loan. Though the use of loan as a verb is
widespread, it is not considered acceptable by careful writers
and speakers of English.
Therefore, it’s best to avoid such constructions as “Loan me a
quarter for the telephone” or “He loaned me his car.”
Practice 12-7 Using Lend and Loan
In each sentence, underline the correct word.
