English learners and even native speakers often search for “lended or lent” because both words sound correct, but only one is standard English.
This confusion usually happens when people talk about borrowing money, lending help, or giving something temporarily.
You may have heard someone say, “I lended him my book,” and wondered if that was right—or if it just sounded right.
The problem comes from how English handles irregular verbs. Most verbs form the past tense by adding -ed, like worked or played.
But lend does not follow this rule. Its past tense and past participle change form completely, which leads many writers to guess and end up using lended.
People search for this keyword to get a quick answer, but they also want to know why one form is wrong, where the confusion comes from, and which word to use in formal writing, exams, emails, and professional work.
This article clears up that confusion step by step—so you never have to second-guess yourself again.
Lended or Lent – Quick Answer
✅ “Lent” is correct.
❌ “Lended” is incorrect in standard English.
Lend → Lent → Lent
Examples
- ✅ I lent him some money.
- ✅ She has lent her notes to a friend.
- ❌ I lended him my laptop. (incorrect)
Key rule:
Lend is an irregular verb, so it does not take “-ed” in the past tense.
The Origin of Lended or Lent
The verb lend comes from Old English “lǣnan,” meaning to grant or give temporarily. Over time, English simplified the word to lend, but it kept an irregular past tense—lent.
Many English verbs kept this vowel-change pattern:
- Send → Sent
- Spend → Spent
- Bend → Bent
Because English also has thousands of regular verbs, learners assume lend works the same way. That is why “lended” appears logical, even though it is grammatically wrong.
In short, “lended” exists only because of over-regularization, not because it is correct English.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no spelling difference between British and American English for this verb.
| Form | British English | American English |
| Present | lend | lend |
| Past tense | lent | lent |
| Past participle | lent | lent |
| Incorrect form | lended ❌ | lended ❌ |
Important:
Both UK and US English reject “lended.”
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Your choice is simple:
- US audience: Use lent
- UK audience: Use lent
- International or academic writing: Use lent
There is no situation—formal or informal—where “lended” is recommended.
Common Mistakes with Lended or Lent
❌ Mistake 1: Adding “-ed”
- I lended him money. ❌
- I lent him money. ✅
❌ Mistake 2: Using “lended” in exams
- Examiners mark it wrong every time.
Mistake 3: Mixing tense forms
- She has lend me her book. ❌
- She has lent me her book. ✅
Lended or Lent in Everyday Examples
Emails
- ✅ I lent you my charger yesterday.
News
- ✅ The bank lent funds to small businesses.
Social Media
- ✅ I lent my friend my headphones and never got them back.
Formal Writing
- ✅ The organization lent its support to the project.
Lended or Lent – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data shows that “lent” dominates worldwide, especially in:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Australia
- India
“Lended” spikes only in learner searches, not in published writing. This proves users search for it mainly to check if it is correct—and discover that it is not.
Lended or Lent: Comparison Table
| Form | Correct | Usage |
| lend | ✅ | Present tense |
| lent | ✅ | Past tense & past participle |
| lended | ❌ | Incorrect in standard English |
FAQs
1. Is “lended” ever correct?
No. It is not accepted in standard English.
2. Why does “lended” sound right?
Because many English verbs use “-ed,” but lend is irregular.
3. What is the past tense of lend?
Lent.
4. Can I use “lended” in informal writing?
No. It is still incorrect.
5. Is “lent” used in both US and UK English?
Yes. Both use lent.
6. What is the past participle of lend?
Lent (e.g., has lent).
7. Is “lent” used for money and objects?
Yes. It works for both.
Conclusion
The confusion between lended or lent comes from a simple mistake—treating an irregular verb like a regular one.
While lended may sound natural, it is grammatically incorrect and should never be used in exams, professional writing, or everyday communication.
The correct form is lent, and it works the same way in British English, American English, and global usage. Whether you are lending money, time, support, or an object, lent is always the right choice.
If you remember just one rule, remember this:
Lend → Lent → Lent. No exceptions.
Using the correct form improves clarity, professionalism, and confidence in your writing.
Bryan A. Garner is a renowned grammar expert, lexicographer, and author at Grammiffy, where he makes English rules easy to understand for learners and writers of all levels.
With a focus on clarity, proper usage, and effective communication, Bryan helps readers master grammar, style, and everyday writing with confidence.
