Why cant i register the difference between borrowed and lent when speaking?

Question

Okay this is a very strange question I know but friends tease me about it all the time.... I know the difference between borrowed and lent. I lent, he borrowed etc etc but when im using it in everyday conversation I always say 'borrowed' regardless of the phrase that im using it in.. for example 10min ago I said to a friend 'I borrowed you my key' WHY DO I DO THIS?? I know I should of said 'I lent you my pen' Is it just habit, laziness, slang?? How do I break this habit?

HELP?? x

Answer 1

Here's what I used to hear often in South Africa:

"Borrow me a lend of your pen".

Answer 2

repeat the sentences over and over again.

"You BORROWED my pen"

"I LENT you my pen."

Say them over and over and OVER again, until your brain registers BORROW and LENT.

Good Luck!

,Katerini

=]

Answer 3

Could it be that English is not your native language?  Is it possible that in your native language "borrowed" and "lent" are the same word?  Maybe you are thinking in your native language and trying to translate into English on the fly.  Evenutally, what you'll want to be able to do is to actually think in English.  I'll grant you, it's not very easy to do, and I feel for you; I wish you good luck.

Another possibility, if English is your native language, is that way back there in childhood somewhere, a close family member or friend used to mix up "borrowed" and "lent," and you picked up the habit.  This habit, too may be hard to break, but I know that with concerted effort it can be done.

My parents came from the Midwest, and, when I was growing up, we used to pronounce WASH as "worsh."  It took me a lot of effort to learn to say "wash"--and even now I still hear myself slipping into the old habit from time to time.  Hang in there; you're not alone!