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B1 verb #41 most common 14 min read

borrows

Top 41

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips borrows in 30 Seconds

Explanation borrows in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'borrows' is a word you use to talk about simple, everyday actions. It means taking something from a friend or a family member and giving it back later. We use 'borrows' when we talk about one person, like 'He' or 'She'. For example, 'He borrows a pen' or 'She borrows a book'. It is a very useful word for the classroom or at home. You should remember that the person who borrows is the one who gets the item. It is the opposite of 'gives'. When you borrow something, you must be careful with it because it is not yours. You must return it soon. In A1, we focus on physical things like pens, pencils, books, and toys. We don't use it for difficult things like money or ideas yet. Just remember: One person + borrows + thing. 'My friend borrows my ruler.' This is a simple way to use the word. You can also use it with names. 'Tom borrows a bike.' It is a friendly word because it shows people helping each other by sharing things.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'borrows' in more varied situations. You can talk about borrowing things from places, not just people. For example, 'She borrows books from the library.' You also learn the structure 'borrows [something] from [someone]'. This helps you give more information in your sentences. You might also use it to talk about small amounts of money, like 'He borrows five dollars for lunch.' At this level, you should be careful with the 's' at the end. Remember, we only say 'borrows' for 'he', 'she', 'it', or a single person's name. If you talk about yourself, you say 'I borrow'. If you talk about many people, you say 'They borrow'. You might also hear 'borrows' in stories or simple news reports. It is a common verb for describing how people share resources in a community. You can also start to use it with 'always' or 'often' to describe habits. 'He often borrows my umbrella when it rains.' This shows you can talk about things that happen many times.

At the B1 level, you understand that 'borrows' can be used for both physical objects and more abstract things. You might say, 'The writer borrows ideas from other books,' or 'The company borrows money from the bank.' You are now comfortable using 'borrows' in the present simple tense to describe regular actions, habits, or general facts. You also know the difference between 'borrows' and 'lends' very well. You understand that borrowing involves a responsibility to return the item. In B1, you can use 'borrows' in more complex sentences with conjunctions like 'because' or 'although'. For example, 'He borrows a car because his own is broken.' You also begin to see 'borrows' in professional contexts, such as business or banking. You might read a sentence like, 'A small business often borrows capital to start its operations.' This shows a higher level of vocabulary. You are also aware of the social rules of borrowing—that it requires permission and trust. You can discuss these topics using the word 'borrows' and related terms like 'debt', 'return', and 'permission'.

At the B2 level, you can use 'borrows' with more precision and in a wider range of formal and informal contexts. You understand metaphorical uses, such as 'The film borrows heavily from the film noir tradition.' This means the film uses the style or themes of that tradition. You can also use 'borrows' to describe linguistic phenomena, like 'English borrows many technical terms from Latin.' You are proficient in using 'borrows' within various grammatical structures, including passive voice or as part of a participle phrase, though 'borrows' itself is the active present form. You can also distinguish 'borrows' from similar but more formal verbs like 'appropriates', 'utilizes', or 'derives'. For instance, you might choose 'borrows' for a casual exchange but 'derives' for a scientific process. You understand the financial implications of borrowing in a global economy, such as how a country 'borrows' on international markets. Your ability to use 'borrows' reflects a nuanced understanding of social, economic, and creative exchanges. You can also use it in idiomatic expressions like 'borrowing trouble' or 'living on borrowed time'.

At the C1 level, you use 'borrows' with a high degree of sophistication. You recognize its role in complex academic and professional discourse. You might analyze how a philosopher 'borrows' and then deconstructs a concept from a predecessor. You understand the subtle legal and ethical nuances of borrowing, such as the difference between borrowing and intellectual property infringement. In your writing, you use 'borrows' to describe the intertextuality of literature or the cross-pollination of scientific disciplines. For example, 'The study borrows its methodology from social psychology to examine consumer behavior.' You are also aware of the register of the word; while 'borrows' is common, you might substitute it with 'draws upon' or 'incorporates' to achieve a more formal tone. You can discuss the macroeconomic effects of when a central bank 'borrows' or 'lends' to commercial banks. Your understanding of 'borrows' includes its historical evolution and its various shades of meaning in different fields, from linguistics to finance to the arts. You can use the word to express complex relationships of influence and dependency.

At the C2 level, you have a complete and effortless command of the word 'borrows'. You can use it in the most subtle and nuanced ways, often employing it metaphorically to describe intricate relationships. You might discuss how a particular culture 'borrows' and reinterprets symbols from another, leading to a unique cultural synthesis. You are adept at using 'borrows' in highly formal academic papers, perhaps discussing how a mathematical model 'borrows' logic from set theory. You understand the word's place within the broader landscape of the English language, including its etymological roots and its relationship to other Germanic and Romance languages. You can use 'borrows' to describe the most abstract concepts, such as how a person 'borrows' an identity or a persona in different social settings. Your use of the word is always contextually appropriate, whether you are writing a legal brief, a literary critique, or a casual email. You also appreciate the irony or humor that can be conveyed with the word, such as when describing someone who 'borrows' things with no intention of returning them. At this level, 'borrows' is just one of many tools you use to express precise and complex ideas with absolute clarity.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

borrows in 30 Seconds

The verb 'borrows' describes the act of taking something temporarily with the intent to return it, specifically used for a singular subject in the present tense.
It is a fundamental concept in social and economic exchanges, ranging from borrowing a simple pen to a corporation taking out a multi-million dollar loan.
Grammatically, 'borrows' must agree with a singular subject like 'he', 'she', or 'it', and is typically followed by the preposition 'from' to indicate the source.
Beyond physical objects, the word is used metaphorically to describe the adoption of ideas, styles, or linguistic terms from one source into another context.

The word 'borrows' is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb 'borrow'. At its most fundamental level, it describes the act of receiving something from another person or institution with the explicit or implicit promise that the item or its equivalent value will be returned at a later date. This concept is a cornerstone of human social and economic interaction, facilitating the sharing of resources without the permanent transfer of ownership. When we say 'he borrows' or 'she borrows', we are highlighting a temporary transition of possession. This action is distinct from 'stealing' because it involves consent and the intent to return, and it is distinct from 'buying' because no permanent exchange of title occurs, although interest or fees might be involved in financial contexts.

Social Reciprocity: In a social setting, when a neighbor borrows a cup of sugar, it reinforces a community bond built on trust. The act of borrowing creates a temporary debt that is often repaid not just with the item itself, but with the social currency of gratitude and future assistance.

Sarah borrows her sister's favorite dress for the gala, promising to have it dry-cleaned before returning it on Monday.

Beyond physical objects, 'borrows' is frequently used in abstract contexts. A writer often borrows themes from classical mythology to give their modern story a sense of timelessness. In music, a composer might borrow a melodic fragment from a folk song, integrating it into a complex symphony. This metaphorical borrowing suggests an acknowledgment of influence and a temporary adoption of style or substance. It is a way of saying that the new creation stands on the shoulders of previous works. In the realm of finance, the word takes on a more formal and often legally binding meaning. When a corporation borrows millions of dollars, it enters into a contract that dictates repayment schedules and interest rates. Here, 'borrows' signifies the acquisition of capital to fuel growth, with the lender expecting a return on their investment.

Linguistic Nuance: The term is often confused with 'lends'. Remember: the borrower takes, and the lender gives. If Mark borrows a pen, the pen moves toward Mark.

The local library is a place where everyone borrows knowledge for free, provided they respect the return dates.

In scientific and mathematical contexts, 'borrows' can refer to specific operations. For instance, in elementary subtraction, a student 'borrows' from the next column to complete a calculation. This usage, while technical, still adheres to the core meaning of taking something from one place to use it elsewhere temporarily. Culturally, the attitude toward borrowing varies. In some cultures, borrowing is seen as a sign of close friendship, while in others, it is viewed with caution, especially regarding money. Understanding the word 'borrows' involves recognizing these subtle shifts in meaning depending on whether the context is a casual favor, a professional loan, or a creative inspiration. It is a versatile verb that captures the essence of shared resources and the ethical obligation of return.

He borrows trouble by worrying about things that haven't happened yet.

Metaphorical Usage: To 'borrow trouble' is a common idiom meaning to worry unnecessarily about the future. It implies that the person is taking on a burden that doesn't belong to them yet.

The chef borrows techniques from molecular gastronomy to create his signature foam dishes.

The government borrows heavily to fund infrastructure projects during economic downturns.

Using 'borrows' correctly requires attention to subject-verb agreement and the prepositional structure that follows. Since 'borrows' is the third-person singular form, it must always accompany subjects like 'he', 'she', 'it', 'the company', 'the student', or 'my friend'. The most common sentence structure is [Subject] + borrows + [Object] + from + [Source]. For example, 'The student borrows a book from the library.' This clearly identifies who is taking the item, what the item is, and where it originated. Without the 'from' phrase, the sentence might feel incomplete unless the source is already understood from the context.

Direct Object Usage: The object of 'borrows' can be tangible (a lawnmower, a pen) or intangible (an idea, a concept, time). 'The director borrows the visual style of 1940s noir.'

She borrows money from her parents to pay for her tuition fees every semester.

In more complex sentences, 'borrows' can be part of a relative clause or a conditional statement. For instance, 'Anyone who borrows equipment must sign the logbook.' Here, 'borrows' is the verb for the relative pronoun 'who', which refers back to 'anyone' (a singular indefinite pronoun). It is also important to distinguish 'borrows' from its past tense 'borrowed' and its continuous form 'borrowing'. 'Borrows' is used for habitual actions or general truths. If you say 'He borrows my car,' it implies he does this regularly. If he is doing it right now, you would say 'He is borrowing my car.' If it happened yesterday, 'He borrowed my car.'

Negative and Interrogative: In questions and negatives, the 's' drops because of the auxiliary verb 'does'. 'Does he borrow?' or 'He doesn't borrow.' The form 'borrows' only appears in affirmative statements.

The architect borrows elements from Gothic design to create a modern cathedral.

Another sophisticated use of 'borrows' involves the 'borrowing' of words in linguistics. We say 'English borrows many words from French.' Even though 'English' is a language, it acts as a singular entity. This usage describes the historical process of lexical adoption. In financial reporting, you might read 'The entity borrows at a fixed rate of 5%.' This formal tone is common in business news. Whether describing a child taking a toy or a nation taking a loan, the verb 'borrows' maintains its grammatical requirement for a singular subject and its logical requirement for an eventual return or replacement of the borrowed item.

A smart investor borrows only what they can afford to repay with interest.

Habitual Action: When used in the present simple, 'borrows' often indicates a habit. 'He borrows books every Friday' means it is a routine part of his life.

The moon borrows its light from the sun, reflecting it back to the Earth at night.

My roommate always borrows my charger without asking, which is quite annoying.

In daily life, 'borrows' is a word you will encounter in a variety of settings, ranging from the domestic to the professional. In a household, you might hear a parent say, 'Your brother always borrows your toys, doesn't he?' This highlights a common point of contention among siblings. In a school or university setting, the word is ubiquitous. Professors might say, 'The student who borrows the most books usually performs the best,' emphasizing the link between resource utilization and academic success. You will also hear it in the workplace, particularly in collaborative environments. 'Our department borrows equipment from the lab next door when ours is being serviced.'

Financial News: On television or in podcasts, financial analysts frequently use 'borrows'. You might hear, 'The government borrows at record levels to stimulate the economy,' or 'The average consumer borrows more during the holiday season.'

The news anchor reported that the startup borrows heavily from venture capitalists to fund its expansion.

In the world of arts and entertainment, 'borrows' is a key term for critics and historians. A film reviewer might note, 'The director borrows the pacing of a thriller for what is essentially a romantic comedy.' This usage helps audiences understand the stylistic choices being made. Similarly, in music theory, you might hear about how a specific genre 'borrows' rhythms from another culture. This reflects the global and interconnected nature of creative expression. Even in sports, a commentator might say, 'The young player borrows a move from his veteran teammate,' showing how skills are passed down through observation and imitation.

Library and Academic Settings: At a library desk, you might hear, 'If a patron borrows a book and loses it, they must pay a replacement fee.' This reinforces the rules of the institution.

The scientist borrows a concept from physics to explain biological processes in her new paper.

Social media and online forums also feature 'borrows' quite often. Users might discuss how one app 'borrows' features from another, leading to debates about innovation versus imitation. In casual conversation, people use it to describe their daily habits: 'My neighbor always borrows my lawnmower, but he always brings it back with a full tank of gas.' This highlights the positive side of borrowing—building community through shared resources. Whether you are reading a high-level economic report or chatting with a friend over coffee, 'borrows' is a word that accurately describes the many ways we interact with things that aren't ours, but that we need for a short time.

Every time he cooks, he borrows a different spice from my collection.

Legal and Formal Contexts: In legal documents, you might see phrases like 'the party who borrows the funds,' which formalizes the borrower's identity and obligations.

The novelist borrows the names of real historical figures to populate his fictional world.

The city borrows ideas from urban planning models in Europe to improve its public transit.

One of the most frequent errors learners make is confusing 'borrows' with 'lends'. This is a fundamental directional mistake. 'Borrows' means taking, while 'lends' means giving. If you say 'He borrows me his book,' it is grammatically incorrect in standard English; you should say 'He lends me his book' or 'I borrow his book.' Another common mistake involves subject-verb agreement. Because 'borrows' ends in 's', some learners mistakenly use it with plural subjects like 'they' or 'we'. Remember: 'They borrow' but 'He borrows'. The 's' is the marker for the third-person singular in the present tense, not a plural marker for the verb.

Preposition Errors: Using the wrong preposition is another pitfall. You borrow *from* someone, not *to* someone or *at* someone. 'She borrows from the bank' is correct; 'She borrows to the bank' is not.

He borrows to me his pen.
He lends me his pen. or I borrow his pen.

Learners also struggle with the distinction between 'borrows' and 'takes'. While borrowing is a type of taking, it specifically implies an agreement to return the item. If someone 'takes' your car, they might be stealing it or just moving it. If they 'borrow' it, there is a mutual understanding of its return. Using 'borrows' when there is no intention of returning the item is technically a misuse of the word, although it is sometimes used ironically. Furthermore, in the negative or interrogative forms, learners often forget to remove the 's'. They might say 'Does he borrows?' instead of the correct 'Does he borrow?' The auxiliary 'does' already carries the third-person singular marker, so the main verb must remain in its base form.

Tense Confusion: Confusing 'borrows' (present) with 'borrowed' (past) is common. 'He borrows it yesterday' is incorrect. It must be 'He borrowed it yesterday.'

The company borrow money.
The company borrows money. (The company is a singular entity).

In some dialects, 'borrow' is used where 'lend' should be, which can lead to significant confusion for learners. For example, in some parts of the UK or US, you might hear 'Borrow me a fiver,' but this is non-standard and should be avoided in formal writing or exams. Another subtle mistake is using 'borrows' for permanent acquisitions. If a language 'borrows' a word, it usually keeps it forever, which is a metaphorical exception to the 'must return' rule. However, in physical contexts, the expectation of return is absolute. Finally, ensure that the object being borrowed is clearly defined. 'He borrows' is an incomplete thought; 'He borrows a ladder' is a complete one.

She borrows a book of me.
She borrows a book from me.

The 'Borrowing' vs. 'Renting' Distinction: Borrowing usually implies no payment. If you pay to use something, you 'rent' or 'lease' it. 'He borrows a car' (free) vs. 'He rents a car' (paid).

My cat borrows my spot on the sofa the moment I stand up.

The student borrows a calculator for the exam because he forgot his at home.

While 'borrows' is a very specific verb, several other words share its semantic space, each with unique connotations. 'Adopts' is often used when someone takes an idea or a method and makes it their own permanently. For example, 'The company adopts a new policy.' This is different from 'borrows' because there is no intention to return to the old policy. 'Appropriates' has a more negative connotation, often implying that something was taken without permission or in an unfair way, such as 'The artist appropriates images from popular culture.' 'Takes' is the most general term and lacks the specific nuance of returning the item.

Borrow vs. Rent: 'Rent' implies a commercial transaction. You borrow a book from a friend for free, but you rent a movie from an online store for a fee. 'Lease' is even more formal, usually referring to long-term agreements for property or vehicles.

He borrows his neighbor's lawnmower, whereas his brother rents one from the local hardware store.

In academic writing, you might use 'derives' or 'draws from'. 'The author derives her thesis from recent sociological studies.' This is a more formal way of saying she 'borrows' ideas. 'Utilizes' is another alternative, focusing on the use of the resource rather than its source. 'The engineer utilizes a specific algorithm' suggests the algorithm is a tool being used. 'Obtains' and 'acquires' are also related but focus on the act of getting something, regardless of whether it will be returned. 'Obtains' often implies effort, while 'acquires' often implies a permanent addition to one's possessions.

Borrow vs. Steal: The key difference is consent and intent. Borrowing is consensual and temporary; stealing is non-consensual and usually permanent.

The playwright borrows the plot structure of a Greek tragedy for his modern drama.

In the context of finance, 'borrows' is almost synonymous with 'takes out a loan'. However, 'borrows' is the verb for the action, while 'loan' is usually the noun for the thing being borrowed. You can also use 'finances' as a verb: 'He finances his car through the dealership.' This implies a specific type of borrowing involving a payment plan. 'Secures' is another financial term: 'The business secures a line of credit,' which means they have the permission to borrow up to a certain amount. Understanding these alternatives allows for more precise communication, ensuring the listener or reader understands the exact nature of the transaction.

She borrows a cup of sugar, but she always returns a full bag as a thank you.

Borrow vs. Use: 'Use' is very broad. You can use your own things. You only 'borrow' things that belong to someone else.

The musician borrows a vintage guitar for the recording session to get a specific sound.

The government borrows from the future to pay for the present, a common criticism of national debt.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In Old English, the same word could sometimes mean both 'to borrow' and 'to lend', which might explain why people still confuse them today!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈbɒr.əʊz/

US /ˈbɑːr.oʊz/

The stress is on the first syllable: BOR-rows.

Rhymes With

sorrows morrows follows hollows wallows allows brows plows

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'ow' like 'ow' in 'now'.
Forgetting the 'z' sound at the end.
Adding an extra syllable.
Confusing it with 'burrows' (like a rabbit hole).
Swallowing the 'r' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in most texts.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct subject-verb agreement.

Speaking 4/5

Often confused with 'lends' in fast speech.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

take give friend book money

Learn Next

lend loan debt interest repay

Advanced

appropriate utilize derive incorporate subsume

Grammar to Know

Third-Person Singular Present

He borrows (not 'He borrow').

Prepositional Phrase with 'From'

Borrows from the bank.

Auxiliary 'Does' in Questions

Does he borrow? (not 'Does he borrows?').

Negative with 'Doesn't'

She doesn't borrow. (not 'She doesn't borrows?').

Infinitive of Purpose

He borrows a bike to go home.

Examples by Level

He borrows a pencil from his friend.

Il emprunte un crayon à son ami.

Third-person singular 's' added to 'borrow'.

She borrows a book every week.

Elle emprunte un livre chaque semaine.

Present simple for a habitual action.

My brother borrows my toys.

Mon frère emprunte mes jouets.

Subject 'My brother' is singular.

The student borrows a ruler.

L'élève emprunte une règle.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

He borrows an umbrella when it rains.

Il emprunte un parapluie quand il pleut.

Conditional context (when it rains).

She borrows a chair for the guest.

Elle emprunte une chaise pour l'invité.

Purpose expressed with 'for'.

The cat borrows my bed to sleep.

Le chat emprunte mon lit pour dormir.

Personification of an animal subject.

He borrows a cup of sugar.

Il emprunte une tasse de sucre.

Classic social borrowing example.

She borrows books from the local library.

Elle emprunte des livres à la bibliothèque locale.

Using 'from' to indicate the source.

He borrows money from his sister for lunch.

Il emprunte de l'argent à sa sœur pour le déjeuner.

Financial context at a simple level.

The neighbor borrows our lawnmower often.

Le voisin emprunte souvent notre tondeuse.

Adverb of frequency 'often' used.

She borrows a dress for the party.

Elle emprunte une robe pour la fête.

Specific occasion for borrowing.

He borrows his dad's car on weekends.

Il emprunte la voiture de son père le week-end.

Possessive 'dad's' used with the object.

The teacher borrows a laptop for the lesson.

Le professeur emprunte un ordinateur portable pour le cours.

Professional context.

She borrows a map to find the museum.

Elle emprunte une carte pour trouver le musée.

Infinitive of purpose 'to find'.

He borrows a bike to go to the park.

Il emprunte un vélo pour aller au parc.

Action-oriented borrowing.

The company borrows capital to expand its business.

L'entreprise emprunte des capitaux pour développer ses activités.

Business context with 'capital'.

He borrows ideas from classical music for his songs.

Il emprunte des idées à la musique classique pour ses chansons.

Abstract borrowing of 'ideas'.

She borrows heavily from her savings to pay for the trip.

Elle puise largement dans ses économies pour payer le voyage.

Adverb 'heavily' modifying the verb.

The author borrows themes from ancient mythology.

L'auteur emprunte des thèmes à la mythologie antique.

Literary analysis context.

He borrows a suit for his job interview.

Il emprunte un costume pour son entretien d'embauche.

Formal social context.

The government borrows money by issuing bonds.

Le gouvernement emprunte de l'argent en émettant des obligations.

Macroeconomic context.

She borrows a camera to take professional photos.

Elle emprunte un appareil photo pour prendre des photos professionnelles.

Functional borrowing for a specific task.

He borrows a phrase from a famous speech.

Il emprunte une phrase d'un discours célèbre.

Linguistic borrowing in speech.

The film borrows its visual style from 1920s cinema.

Le film emprunte son style visuel au cinéma des années 1920.

Artistic influence context.

She borrows a concept from psychology to explain the behavior.

Elle emprunte un concept à la psychologie pour expliquer le comportement.

Interdisciplinary borrowing.

The startup borrows against its future earnings.

La startup emprunte sur ses revenus futurs.

Financial term 'borrows against'.

He borrows the protagonist's name from a real person.

Il emprunte le nom du protagoniste à une personne réelle.

Creative writing context.

The language borrows extensively from neighboring dialects.

La langue emprunte largement aux dialectes voisins.

Linguistic evolution context.

She borrows a technique from French cooking for the sauce.

Elle emprunte une technique de la cuisine française pour la sauce.

Culinary borrowing.

The architect borrows elements of nature for the building design.

L'architecte emprunte des éléments de la nature pour la conception du bâtiment.

Design and aesthetic borrowing.

He borrows the rhythm of the poem from a folk song.

Il emprunte le rythme du poème à une chanson folklorique.

Structural borrowing in literature.

The theory borrows its fundamental logic from set theory.

La théorie emprunte sa logique fondamentale à la théorie des ensembles.

High-level academic borrowing.

She borrows the aesthetic of decay for her art installation.

Elle emprunte l'esthétique de la décomposition pour son installation artistique.

Sophisticated artistic concept.

The politician borrows rhetoric from the civil rights movement.

Le politicien emprunte la rhétorique du mouvement des droits civiques.

Political analysis of language.

The software borrows its architecture from open-source projects.

Le logiciel emprunte son architecture à des projets open-source.

Technical/Engineering context.

He borrows the persona of a detached observer in his essays.

Il emprunte le personnage d'un observateur détaché dans ses essais.

Literary device 'borrows the persona'.

The city borrows from its rich history to brand itself to tourists.

La ville puise dans sa riche histoire pour se faire connaître des touristes.

Marketing and historical context.

She borrows the structure of a symphony for her novel.

Elle emprunte la structure d'une symphonie pour son roman.

Cross-genre structural borrowing.

The legal system borrows certain principles from common law.

Le système juridique emprunte certains principes à la common law.

Legal and institutional context.

The philosopher borrows and then subverts the Hegelian dialectic.

Le philosophe emprunte puis subvertit la dialectique hégélienne.

Complex philosophical interaction.

The economy borrows against the ecological health of the planet.

L'économie emprunte sur la santé écologique de la planète.

Metaphorical and critical usage.

She borrows the very language of her oppressors to critique them.

Elle emprunte le langage même de ses oppresseurs pour les critiquer.

Subversive and ironic borrowing.

The composer borrows silence as a structural element in the piece.

Le compositeur emprunte le silence comme élément structurel de la pièce.

Abstract and avant-garde usage.

The narrative borrows the fractured time-scale of a dream.

Le récit emprunte l'échelle temporelle fracturée d'un rêve.

Literary analysis of narrative structure.

He borrows the authority of science to justify his personal bias.

Il emprunte l'autorité de la science pour justifier son parti pris personnel.

Critical analysis of rhetorical strategy.

The brand borrows the cultural capital of the underground scene.

La marque emprunte le capital culturel de la scène underground.

Sociological/Marketing context.

The poem borrows the breath of the reader to come alive.

Le poème emprunte le souffle du lecteur pour prendre vie.

Highly poetic and metaphorical usage.

Common Collocations

borrows money

borrows a book

borrows an idea

borrows time

borrows from the future

borrows a phrase

borrows a tool

borrows heavily

borrows a concept

borrows a style

Common Phrases

borrows trouble

— To worry about things that haven't happened yet.

Don't listen to him; he just borrows trouble.

borrows a leaf from

— To follow someone's example or copy their method.

He borrows a leaf from his mentor's book.

borrows a cup of sugar

— A stereotypical example of a small neighborly favor.

She often borrows a cup of sugar from next door.

borrows against

— To use something as collateral for a loan.

He borrows against his house to start a business.

borrows a name

— To use someone else's name for a character or entity.

The author borrows a name from history.

borrows a look

— To adopt a specific fashion or aesthetic.

She borrows a look from the runway.

borrows a car

— A common act of temporary transportation sharing.

He borrows a car for the weekend trip.

borrows a pen

— The most common small-scale borrowing act.

Can I see if he borrows a pen from you?

borrows a cigarette

— A common social interaction among smokers.

He often borrows a cigarette when he's out.

borrows a charger

— A modern, frequent borrowing necessity.

She always borrows my phone charger.

Often Confused With

borrows vs lends

Lends is giving; borrows is taking. 'He lends me a pen' vs 'I borrow a pen from him'.

borrows vs burrows

A burrow is a hole a rabbit makes. It sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

borrows vs follows

Sometimes confused in fast speech, but 'follows' means coming after, not taking.

Idioms & Expressions

"living on borrowed time"

— Continuing to live or exist after one was expected to die or fail.

After the heart attack, he felt he was living on borrowed time.

informal

"borrow trouble"

— To worry needlessly about the future.

Don't borrow trouble by thinking about the exam already.

informal

"borrow from Peter to pay Paul"

— To take from one person or source to pay another, often making the situation worse.

He's just borrowing from Peter to pay Paul with those credit cards.

informal

"a borrowed plume"

— Something used to make one look better than they are, taken from another.

His speech was full of borrowed plumes from better writers.

literary

"borrow a leaf from someone's book"

— To imitate someone's successful behavior.

I might borrow a leaf from your book and start waking up earlier.

informal

"beg, borrow, or steal"

— To do whatever is necessary to get something.

He will beg, borrow, or steal to get those concert tickets.

informal

"on borrowed time"

— In a precarious situation that cannot last.

The old bridge is on borrowed time and needs replacing.

neutral

"borrowed interest"

— In advertising, using something unrelated to the product to get attention.

The ad uses borrowed interest by featuring a celebrity.

professional

"borrowed light"

— Light that comes from another source, like the moon from the sun.

The room has borrowed light from the hallway.

technical

"borrowed robes"

— A position or title that one does not truly deserve.

He stands there in borrowed robes, pretending to be the boss.

literary

Easily Confused

borrows vs lend

Direction of the action.

Lend is 'away from the speaker'; borrow is 'toward the speaker'.

Please lend me your car. / He borrows my car.

borrows vs rent

Both involve temporary use.

Rent involves payment; borrow is usually free.

He borrows a book. / He rents a movie.

borrows vs take

Both involve acquisition.

Borrow implies returning; take does not necessarily imply returning.

He borrows my pen. / He takes my pen (and might keep it).

borrows vs appropriate

Both involve taking ideas.

Appropriate often implies taking without permission or unfairly.

He borrows a style. / He appropriates a culture.

borrows vs loan

Related to borrowing money.

Loan is usually a noun; borrow is the verb for the action.

He borrows a loan (incorrect) / He takes out a loan. / He borrows money.

Sentence Patterns

He borrows a [noun].

He borrows a pen.

She borrows [noun] from [person].

She borrows a book from her teacher.

The [singular subject] borrows [noun] to [verb].

The student borrows a laptop to finish his essay.

[Subject] borrows heavily from [source].

The film borrows heavily from classic noir.

[Subject] borrows [abstract noun] from [source].

The theory borrows its logic from set theory.

[Subject] borrows [noun] as a [function].

The composer borrows silence as a structural element.

If he borrows [noun], he must [verb].

If he borrows the car, he must be careful.

My [relative] borrows my [noun].

My brother borrows my bike.

Word Family

Nouns

borrower

borrowing

Verbs

borrow

borrowed

borrowing

Adjectives

borrowed

loan

lend

debt

credit

repay

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written English.

Common Mistakes

He borrow a book. → He borrows a book.
The third-person singular (he/she/it) requires an 's' at the end of the verb in the present tense.
She borrows me her pen. → She lends me her pen.
The person giving the item 'lends' it. The person taking the item 'borrows' it.
I borrows a dollar. → I borrow a dollar.
The 's' is only for third-person singular. For 'I', use the base form 'borrow'.
He borrows from me to a pen. → He borrows a pen from me.
The correct word order is: Subject + borrows + Object + from + Source.
Does he borrows your car? → Does he borrow your car?
In questions with 'does', the main verb must be in the base form without an 's'.

Tips

Subject-Verb Agreement

Always use 'borrows' with 'he', 'she', 'it', or a singular noun. Never use it with 'I' or 'they'.

The Direction Rule

Remember that borrowing is 'taking'. If you are giving something, use 'lend'.

Abstract Borrowing

Don't be afraid to use 'borrows' for ideas, styles, or words—it makes your English sound more advanced.

The Trust Factor

Borrowing implies trust. Only use 'borrows' if there is an intention to return the item.

Borrowing vs. Renting

If you have to pay to use it, use 'rent'. If it's free, use 'borrow'.

Double 'r'

Make sure to spell 'borrows' with two 'r's. One 'r' is a common spelling mistake.

Borrowed Time

Use the phrase 'on borrowed time' to describe something that is about to end or fail.

Always 'From'

You borrow *from* a person or a place. Avoid using other prepositions like 'to' or 'of'.

Cultural Nuance

In some cultures, borrowing is a sign of closeness. In others, it's a last resort. Be mindful of the context.

Variety in Writing

In essays, you can replace 'borrows' with 'draws inspiration from' to sound more sophisticated.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember: 'B' for Borrow means 'Bring to me'. 'L' for Lend means 'Leave from me'.

Visual Association

Imagine a person reaching out their hand to take a book from a shelf—that is the borrower.

Word Web

library bank friend return temporary take trust debt

Challenge

Write three sentences about things your best friend borrows from you, using the word 'borrows' correctly each time.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old English word 'borgian', which means 'to lend, borrow, or give a pledge'.

Original meaning: The root is related to 'beorgan', meaning 'to protect or keep safe', implying that the borrowed item is kept safe until its return.

Germanic (related to German 'borgen' and Dutch 'borgen').

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'borrows' in the context of 'cultural appropriation', as it can be a sensitive topic.

Borrowing a 'fiver' (£5 or $5) is a common casual request among friends in many English-speaking countries.

Neither a borrower nor a lender be (Shakespeare, Hamlet) The Borrowers (a famous children's book series by Mary Norton) Living on Borrowed Time (John Lennon song)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Library

borrows a book
borrows a DVD
borrows a magazine
borrows for two weeks

With Neighbors

borrows some sugar
borrows a ladder
borrows a lawnmower
borrows a tool

At the Bank

borrows money
borrows a loan
borrows at 5%
borrows for a house

In School

borrows a pen
borrows a notebook
borrows a calculator
borrows an eraser

In Art/Writing

borrows an idea
borrows a style
borrows a theme
borrows a plot

Conversation Starters

"What is the most unusual thing someone borrows from you?"

"Do you think a friend who borrows money should always pay it back quickly?"

"How often does your neighbor borrows something from your house?"

"If a writer borrows an idea from a movie, is it still original?"

"Why do you think the government borrows so much money?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time when someone borrows something of yours and doesn't return it. How did you feel?

Write about a character who borrows a magical item. What happens next?

Reflect on the idea that 'English borrows words from every language'. Why is this important?

Should a person who borrows a car always return it with a full tank of gas? Explain your view.

If a country borrows money to build a park, is that a good investment for the future?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that is incorrect. You should say 'He lends me a pen' or 'I borrow a pen from him'. 'Borrows' always means the subject is receiving the item.

No, 'borrows' can be used for anything temporary, like books, tools, clothes, or even abstract things like ideas and words.

'Borrow' is for 'I', 'you', 'we', and 'they'. 'Borrows' is only for 'he', 'she', 'it', or a single name like 'John'.

Yes, a company is treated as a singular entity, so we say 'The company borrows money from the bank'.

It is very common to use 'from' to show where the item came from, but if everyone already knows the source, you can leave it out.

It is a neutral word that can be used in both casual conversation and formal business or academic writing.

It is an idiom that means worrying about things that haven't happened yet and might never happen.

Technically, no, because you eat food and can't return it. However, people often say 'borrows a cup of sugar' with the idea that they will return a different cup of sugar later.

Yes, it follows the standard rules for the third-person singular present tense by adding an 's' to the base form 'borrow'.

It is pronounced /ˈbɒr.əʊz/ in British English and /ˈbɑːr.oʊz/ in American English, with the stress on the first syllable.