Problem Verbs

Problem verbs, also known as troublesome or difficult verbs, are a group of verbs in English that often cause confusion due to irregularities in their conjugation, usage, or meaning. Being aware of these verbs and understanding their peculiarities is important for accurate and confident communication. In this section, we will explore some common problem verbs, their challenges, and strategies to overcome difficulties in using them correctly.

1- Irregular Verbs: Irregular verbs are verbs that do not follow the regular pattern of verb conjugation. They have unique forms for the past tense and past participle, which do not end in -ed. Examples of common irregular verbs include “go” (went, gone), “see” (saw, seen), and “be” (was/were, been).

Example: She went to the store yesterday.

2- Phrasal Verbs: Phrasal verbs are verb phrases that consist of a main verb combined with one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs). They often have idiomatic meanings that cannot be deduced from the individual words. Phrasal verbs can be challenging because their meaning can vary based on context.

Example: He put off studying until the last minute.

3- Confusing Verb Pairs: Certain verb pairs in English have similar spellings or meanings, leading to confusion in their usage. For example, “lay” (to place something down) and “lie” (to recline or be in a horizontal position) are often misused.

Example: She lies down on the couch to relax.

4- Verb + Gerund or Infinitive: Some verbs are followed by either a gerund (verb form ending in -ing) or an infinitive (base form of the verb preceded by “to”), but their meanings change based on the choice of the verb form. This can lead to confusion and incorrect usage.

Example: He stopped smoking (gerund) when he realized the health risks.

Problem Verbs

Conclusion: Problem verbs in English can present challenges in conjugation, usage, or meaning. By familiarizing yourself with irregular verbs, understanding the nuances of phrasal verbs, differentiating between confusing verb pairs, and mastering the correct usage of verb + gerund or infinitive, you can overcome difficulties and communicate more effectively. Practice using problem verbs in context, consult reliable resources, and seek feedback to improve your command of these verbs.

PROBLEM VERBS

Exercise-1

Choose the correct word in parentheses.

1. The student (raised / rose) his hand in class.

2. Hot air (raises / rises).

3. Ann (set / sat) in a chair because she was tired.

4. I (set / sat) your dictionary on the table a few minutes ago.

5. Hens (lay / lie) eggs.

6. Al is (laying / lying) on the grass in the park right now.

7. Jan (laid / lay) the comb on the top of the dresser a few minutes ago.

8. If you are tired, you should (lay / lie) down and take a nap.

9. San Francisco (lays / lies) to the north of Los Angeles.

10. After studying all the new material, the student was able to (rise / raise) his test score by twenty-five points.

11 .The book that you see (laying / lying) on the table belongs to the teacher.

Answers :

1. raised	4. set	7. laid	10. raise
2. rises	5. lay	8. lie	11. lying
3. sat	6. lying	9. lies

Here are the correct sentences with the answers provided:

1- The student raised his hand in class.
2- Hot air rises.
3- Ann sat in a chair because she was tired.
4- I set your dictionary on the table a few minutes ago.
5- Hens lay eggs.
6- Al is lying on the grass in the park right now.
7- Jan laid the comb on the top of the dresser a few minutes ago.
8- If you are tired, you should lie down and take a nap.
9- San Francisco lies to the north of Los Angeles.
10- After studying all the new material, the student was able to raise his test score by twenty-five points.
11- The book that you see lying on the table belongs to the teacher.

Exercise-2

Choose the word that correctly completes each sentence below.

1. Floyd (lay, laid) in the hammock while Sandy washed her new car.

2. When she gets a headache, Deirdre (lies, lays) down in dark room for several hours.

3. Ryan (sat, set) his Swiss Army knife on the bedside table next to his wallet and keys.

4. Bill (lain, laid) his hammer on the bench and began looking for longer nails.

5. Norman and Lynn spread an old tablecloth on the ground and (sat, set) in the grass to eat their picnic supper.

6. If you feel your hair standing on end during thunderstorm, (lie, lay) down quickly to avoid being hit by lightning.

7. Joan and Kate (sat, set) so close to the front of the theatre that they had to lean back to see the movie.

8. The new trophy (sat, set) on the bookcase.

9. Jean had (lain, laid) in the sun so long that her skin was bright pink.

10.Jack always (sits, sets) down one cup of coffee, forgets about it, and pours another.

11. Mayor Johansson helped (lie, lay) the cornerstone for the new municipal building.

12. That grandfather`s clock has (set, sat) in the same spot for forty years.

13. The volcano had (lain, laid) dormant for fifty years when it suddenly erupted.

14. They have already (risen, raised) their family and now free to travel.

15. Never leave your purse (lying, laying) where someone might be able to steal it.

Answers :

1. lay	6. lie	11. lay
2. lies	7. sat	12. sat
3. set	8. sat	13. lain
4. laid	9. lain	14. raised
5. sat	10. sets	15. lying

Here are the correct sentences with the answers provided:

1- Floyd lay in the hammock while Sandy washed her new car.
2- When she gets a headache, Deirdre lies down in a dark room for several hours.
3- Ryan set his Swiss Army knife on the bedside table next to his wallet and keys.
4- Bill laid his hammer on the bench and began looking for longer nails.
5- Norman and Lynn spread an old tablecloth on the ground and sat in the grass to eat their picnic supper.
6- If you feel your hair standing on end during a thunderstorm, lie down quickly to avoid being hit by lightning.
7- Joan and Kate sat so close to the front of the theater that they had to lean back to see the movie.
8- The new trophy sat on the bookcase.
9- Jean had lain in the sun so long that her skin was bright pink.
10- Jack always sets down one cup of coffee, forgets about it, and pours another.
11- Mayor Johansson helped lay the cornerstone for the new municipal building.
12- That grandfather’s clock has sat in the same spot for forty years.
13- The volcano had lain dormant for fifty years when it suddenly erupted.
14- They have already raised their family and are now free to travel.
15- Never leave your purse lying where someone might be able to steal it.

Problem verbs

Exercise-3.

Most of the following sentences contain one mistake. Write True or False Correct mistakes.

1. The cost of living has raised 3 percent in the past year.

2. Her coat was laying on the chair.

3. Please sit the telephone on the table by the bed.

4. The flag is risen at the dawn by an honor guard.

5. I have lain your notebook on the table by the door so that you won’t forget it.

6. Won’t you sit down?

7. Kay needs to rise her grades if she wants to get into graduate school.

8. Key West lays off the coast of Florida.

9. Their house sits on a hill overlooking a lake.

10.The landlord has risen the rent.

11. Linda always forgets where she lies her glasses.

12. Let’s sit your suitcases out of the way.

13. The smoke that is raising from that oil refinery is black.

14. Terry has sat there waiting for us for almost an hour.

15. Susan likes to lay down for a short nap every afternoon.

16. We certainly hope that prices do not raise so quickly again.

17. She set her new chair between the sofa and the buffet.

18. The bread dough has raised enough and is now ready to be baked.

19. When Betty arrived home, she found her husband laying on the sofa asleep as usual.

20. Mrs. Jones had carefully lain her children’s clothes out ready for the children to put on.

Answers :

1. F, has risen	11. F,… she lays .
2. T	12. F,.. set
3. F, set the table	13. F, … is rising
4. F, is raised	14.T
5. F, have laid	15. F, … likes to lie down
6. T	16. F, … do not rise
7. F, needs to raise her grades	17.T
8. F, Key West lies off…	18. F, … has risen
9. T	19. F, … husband lying
10. F, … has raised	20. F, … had carefully laid

Here are the corrected sentences with True or False:

1- The cost of living has risen 3 percent in the past year. (True)
2- Her coat was lying on the chair. (True)
3- Please set the telephone on the table by the bed. (False, place instead of set)
4- The flag is raised at dawn by an honor guard. (False, risen instead of raised)
5- I have laid your notebook on the table by the door so that you won’t forget it. (False, lain instead of laid)
6- Won’t you sit down? (True)
7- Kay needs to raise her grades if she wants to get into graduate school. (True)
8- Key West lies off the coast of Florida. (True)
9- Their house sits on a hill overlooking a lake. (True)
10- The landlord has raised the rent. (True)
11- Linda always forgets where she lays her glasses. (False, lies instead of lays)
12- Let’s move your suitcases out of the way. (False, move instead of sit)
13- The smoke that is rising from that oil refinery is black. (True)
14- Terry has been sitting there waiting for us for almost an hour. (True)
15- Susan likes to lie down for a short nap every afternoon. (True)
16- We certainly hope that prices do not rise so quickly again. (False, raise instead of rise)
17 She set her new chair between the sofa and the buffet. (True)
18- The bread dough has risen enough and is now ready to be baked. (True)
19- When Betty arrived home, she found her husband lying on the sofa asleep as usual. (False, laying instead of lying)
20- Mrs. Jones had carefully laid her children’s clothes out ready for the children to put on. (False, laid instead of lain)