Vocabulary Match
Grow your English vocabulary with a free, browser-based matching game. See a word, pick its correct meaning, and build retention through play.
WordsVerb Pairs
Some verb pairs differ only in direction: you borrow something from someone, but you lend it to them. Below: the four pairs that cause the most errors, and the one-question test that separates them.
Choose your difficulty
Pick a level to start playing. You can switch at any time.
How to play
Read the sentence, then tap the verb that fits the blank.
Tip: your progress and best score are saved in this browser only.
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WordsWhat you are actually practicing
Some verb pairs are not synonyms and not opposites — they are the same action seen from the two ends. Borrow and lend describe one transaction from the receiver's side and the giver's side. Raise needs an object; rise does not.
These pairs are the ones that survive years of study, because the meaning is understood while the direction is not.
How the game works
You are shown a sentence with one blank and four verbs. Pick the verb that fits. A wrong pick reveals the correct one immediately.
Easy uses the classic pairs. Medium widens the set. Hard uses the full list, including the pairs distinguished only by whether an object follows.
The pairs worth knowing
borrow / lend: you borrow from someone; you lend to someone.
raise / rise: raise takes an object (raise your hand); rise does not (the sun rises).
lay / lie: lay takes an object (lay the book down); lie does not (lie down).
bring / take: bring moves something toward the speaker; take moves it away.
Strategies that actually raise your score
Ask "is there an object after the verb?" With no object, rise and lie are right; with one, raise and lay are. This single test settles half the questions.
Check the direction for borrow and lend. If the subject receives, it is borrow; if the subject gives, it is lend. The preposition in the sentence (from or to) confirms it.
Watch for with you and to me. Take this with you moves away from the speaker; bring it to me moves toward. The preposition reveals the direction.
Do not translate word by word. Many languages use one verb where English uses two. Decide from the sentence's direction, not from your first language's single word.