Non-native speakers often get these confused. Remember them in the following way:

• You borrow money from the bank. {SUBJECT, VERB, DIRECT OBJECT, PREP. PHRASE}
  
• (Or, alternatively: You borrow money. {SUBJECT, VERB, DIRECT OBJECT}
  But NOT: You borrow the bank money.{SUBJECT, VERB, INDIRECT OBJ., DIRECT OBJ.})
  
• The bank loans money to you.{SUBJECT, VERB, DIRECT OBJECT, PREP. PHRASE}
  
• (Or, alternatively: The bank loans money.{SUBJECT, VERB, DIRECT OBJECT}
  Or: The bank loans you money.{SUBJ, VERB, INDIR. OBJ, DIR.OBJ})

Note that the construction SUBJECT, VERB, IND. OBJ, DIR. OBJ is allowed for "loan" but forbidden for "borrow".

Here are some exercises:

1. I forgot my pen. Can you loan yours to me?
2. I forgot my pen. Can you loan me yours?
3. I forgot my pen. Can I borrow yours?
4. I forgot my pen. Can I borrow one from you?
5. In general, I always borrow pens from my colleagues.
6. And you always loan me yours.

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Created May 12, 1998, by Nancy Burnham and Fred Hutson.