## [Review exercise: Frequently confused verbs](/hypergrammar-2/review-frequently-confused-verbs) ## Avertissement Ce contenu est offert en anglais seulement. In the following [sentences](subject-and-predicate) identify whether or not the highlighted [verb](what-is-a-verb#whatisverb) or [compound verb](compound-verbs#verbcmp) is used correctly. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 1\. The leftover casserole **has been setting** in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. correctly formed compound verb incorrectly formed compound verb ## Oops! **Question:** The leftover casserole **has been setting** in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed compound verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The compound verb *has been setting* is [transitive](objects-and-complements#tranintrvb), but the sentence describes the position of the casserole, not the act of placing it somewhere. Thus, the correct answer is *has been sitting*. ## Good work! **Question:** The leftover casserole **has been setting** in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed compound verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The compound verb *has been setting* is [transitive](objects-and-complements#tranintrvb), but the sentence describes the position of the casserole, not the act of placing it somewhere. Thus, the correct answer is *has been sitting*. 2\. The cows **were laying** in the field even though it was raining. correctly formed compound verb incorrectly formed compound verb ## Oops! **Question:** The cows **were laying** in the field even though it was raining. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed compound verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The compound verb *were laying* is transitive, but the sentence describes the position of the cows, not the act of lying down. Thus, the correct answer is *were lying*. ## Good work! **Question:** The cows **were laying** in the field even though it was raining. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed compound verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The compound verb *were laying* is transitive, but the sentence describes the position of the cows, not the act of lying down. Thus, the correct answer is *were lying*. 3\. **Set** that vase on the sideboard. correctly formed verb incorrectly formed verb ## Good work! **Question:** **Set** that vase on the sideboard. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The verb *set* is transitive and calls for a direct object (*that vase*); it describes the act of placing the vase rather than describing its position. ## Oops! **Question:** **Set** that vase on the sideboard. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The verb *set* is transitive and calls for a direct object (*that vase*); it describes the act of placing the vase rather than describing its position. 4\. The beavers spent the afternoon **lying** new branches on the lodge. correctly formed verb incorrectly formed verb ## Oops! **Question:** The beavers spent the afternoon **lying** new branches on the lodge. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The verb *lying* is [intransitive](transitive-and-intransitive-verbs#intransitiveverb), but the sentence describes the act of placing the branches, not the position of the branches. Thus, the correct answer is *laying*. ## Good work! **Question:** The beavers spent the afternoon **lying** new branches on the lodge. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The verb *lying* is [intransitive](transitive-and-intransitive-verbs#intransitiveverb), but the sentence describes the act of placing the branches, not the position of the branches. Thus, the correct answer is *laying*. 5\. Joe argues that **setting** in a rocking chair is a form of aerobic exercise. correctly formed verb incorrectly formed verb ## Oops! **Question:** Joe argues that **setting** in a rocking chair is a form of aerobic exercise. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The verb *setting* is transitive (and calls for a direct object), but the sentence does not describe the act of placing something or someone in a particular place. Thus, the correct answer is *sitting*. ## Good work! **Question:** Joe argues that **setting** in a rocking chair is a form of aerobic exercise. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The verb *setting* is transitive (and calls for a direct object), but the sentence does not describe the act of placing something or someone in a particular place. Thus, the correct answer is *sitting*. 6\. The entire group suddenly **sitted** down. correctly formed verb incorrectly formed verb ## Oops! **Question:** The entire group suddenly **sitted** down. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** *Sitted* is not standard English; it is not one of the [principal forms](forming-and-using-verb-tenses#principalforms) of either *to sit* or *to set*. The correct answer is *sat*. ## Good work! **Question:** The entire group suddenly **sitted** down. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed verb* is correct. **Explanation:** *Sitted* is not standard English; it is not one of the [principal forms](forming-and-using-verb-tenses#principalforms) of either *to sit* or *to set*. The correct answer is *sat*. 7\. While they **were lying** the new linoleum, the men listened to rap music. correctly formed compound verb incorrectly formed compound verb ## Oops! **Question:** While they **were lying** the new linoleum, the men listened to rap music. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed compound verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The compound verb *were lying* is intransitive, but the sentence describes the act of placing the linoleum on the floor. Thus, the correct answer is *were laying*. ## Good work! **Question:** While they **were lying** the new linoleum, the men listened to rap music. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed compound verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The compound verb *were lying* is intransitive, but the sentence describes the act of placing the linoleum on the floor. Thus, the correct answer is *were laying*. 8\. The cat preferred **to set** on the dining room table. correctly formed compound verb incorrectly formed compound verb ## Oops! **Question:** The cat preferred **to set** on the dining room table. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed compound verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The [infinitive](forming-and-using-verb-tenses) *to set* is transitive and calls for a direct object, but there is no direct object in the sentence. Thus, the sentence requires the intransitive verb *to sit*. ## Good work! **Question:** The cat preferred **to set** on the dining room table. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed compound verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The [infinitive](forming-and-using-verb-tenses) *to set* is transitive and calls for a direct object, but there is no direct object in the sentence. Thus, the sentence requires the intransitive verb *to sit*. 9\. After the clerk **had laid** the fabric on the table, Bridget saw several small grease spots. correctly formed compound verb incorrectly formed compound verb ## Good work! **Question:** After the clerk **had laid** the fabric on the table, Bridget saw several small grease spots. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed compound verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The [dependent clause](using-clauses-as-nouns-adjectives-and-adverbs#dependentclauses) describes the act of placing the bolt of fabric on the table; therefore, the transitive verb *had laid* is appropriate. ## Oops! **Question:** After the clerk **had laid** the fabric on the table, Bridget saw several small grease spots. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed compound verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The [dependent clause](using-clauses-as-nouns-adjectives-and-adverbs#dependentclauses) describes the act of placing the bolt of fabric on the table; therefore, the transitive verb *had laid* is appropriate. 10\. While Karen and Ian **were sitting** the post in the concrete, they were harassed by clouds of black flies. correctly formed compound verb incorrectly formed compound verb ## Oops! **Question:** While Karen and Ian **were sitting** the post in the concrete, they were harassed by clouds of black flies. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed compound verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** This sentence describes the action of placing the post in the concrete, and thus requires the transitive compound verb form *were setting*. ## Good work! **Question:** While Karen and Ian **were sitting** the post in the concrete, they were harassed by clouds of black flies. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed compound verb* is correct. **Explanation:** This sentence describes the action of placing the post in the concrete, and thus requires the transitive compound verb form *were setting*. 11\. Samira **laid** down for a short nap before the concert. correctly formed verb incorrectly formed verb ## Oops! **Question:** Samira **laid** down for a short nap before the concert. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** *Laid* is the [past participle](verbals#pastparticiple) and must be used with an [auxiliary verb](compound-verbs#auxiliaryverb). The correct answer is *lay*. ## Good work! **Question:** Samira **laid** down for a short nap before the concert. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed verb* is correct. **Explanation:** *Laid* is the [past participle](verbals#pastparticiple) and must be used with an [auxiliary verb](compound-verbs#auxiliaryverb). The correct answer is *lay*. 12\. We **have set** here four hours and still haven’t caught a fish. correctly formed compound verb incorrectly formed compound verb ## Oops! **Question:** We **have set** here four hours and still haven’t caught a fish. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed compound verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The compound verb *have set* is intransitive, but the sentence describes the position of the people rather than the act of sitting down. Thus, the correct answer is *have sat*. ## Good work! **Question:** We **have set** here four hours and still haven’t caught a fish. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed compound verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The compound verb *have set* is intransitive, but the sentence describes the position of the people rather than the act of sitting down. Thus, the correct answer is *have sat*. 13\. After **lying** the egg carton on the counter, Beverly began to search for the frying pan. correctly formed verb incorrectly formed verb ## Oops! **Question:** After **lying** the egg carton on the counter, Beverly began to search for the frying pan. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The verb *lying* is intransitive, but the sentence requires the transitive verb *laying* because it describes the action of placing the carton on the counter. ## Good work! **Question:** After **lying** the egg carton on the counter, Beverly began to search for the frying pan. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The verb *lying* is intransitive, but the sentence requires the transitive verb *laying* because it describes the action of placing the carton on the counter. 14\. After she **had sat** her laptop down, she was able to find her keys. correctly formed compound verb incorrectly formed compound verb ## Oops! **Question:** After she **had sat** her laptop down, she was able to find her keys. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed compound verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The compound verb *had sat* is intransitive, but the sentence describes the action of putting the laptop down. The correct answer is the transitive *had set*. ## Good work! **Question:** After she **had sat** her laptop down, she was able to find her keys. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed compound verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The compound verb *had sat* is intransitive, but the sentence describes the action of putting the laptop down. The correct answer is the transitive *had set*. 15\. Charlie and Paul **lied** in the sun all afternoon. correctly formed verb incorrectly formed verb ## Oops! **Question:** Charlie and Paul **lied** in the sun all afternoon. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** Note that *lied* (used in the sense of reclining) is not standard English; the correct past tense of the verb *lie* is *lay*. ## Good work! **Question:** Charlie and Paul **lied** in the sun all afternoon. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed verb* is correct. **Explanation:** Note that *lied* (used in the sense of reclining) is not standard English; the correct past tense of the verb *lie* is *lay*. 16\. The youngest child usually **sets** in a special chair. correctly formed verb incorrectly formed verb ## Oops! **Question:** The youngest child usually **sets** in a special chair. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** This sentence describes the position of the child and requires the intransitive verb *sits*. ## Good work! **Question:** The youngest child usually **sets** in a special chair. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed verb* is correct. **Explanation:** This sentence describes the position of the child and requires the intransitive verb *sits*. 17\. We spent the morning **lying** on the sofa watching cartoons instead of raking the leaves. correctly formed verb incorrectly formed verb ## Good work! **Question:** We spent the morning **lying** on the sofa watching cartoons instead of raking the leaves. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The [participle](verbals#particip) *lying* is intransitive and describes the position of *we* rather than the act of placing (laying) something on the sofa. Thus, the correct answer is *lying*. ## Oops! **Question:** We spent the morning **lying** on the sofa watching cartoons instead of raking the leaves. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The [participle](verbals#particip) *lying* is intransitive and describes the position of *we* rather than the act of placing (laying) something on the sofa. Thus, the correct answer is *lying*. 18\. Jason carefully **sits** the bamboo container on the windowsill. correctly formed verb incorrectly formed verb ## Oops! **Question:** Jason carefully **sits** the bamboo container on the windowsill. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The sentence describes the act of placing the container on the windowsill, and thus requires the transitive verb *sets*. ## Good work! **Question:** Jason carefully **sits** the bamboo container on the windowsill. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The sentence describes the act of placing the container on the windowsill, and thus requires the transitive verb *sets*. 19\. The records were ruined because they **had laid** on top of the radiator all weekend. correctly formed compound verb incorrectly formed compound verb ## Oops! **Question:** The records were ruined because they **had laid** on top of the radiator all weekend. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed compound verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The compound verb *had laid* is transitive, but the sentence describes the position of the records rather than the act of placing them on the radiator. The intransitive verb *had lain* should be used. ## Good work! **Question:** The records were ruined because they **had laid** on top of the radiator all weekend. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed compound verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The compound verb *had laid* is transitive, but the sentence describes the position of the records rather than the act of placing them on the radiator. The intransitive verb *had lain* should be used. 20\. **Lie** those boxes on the top shelf in the garage. correctly formed verb incorrectly formed verb ## Oops! **Question:** **Lie** those boxes on the top shelf in the garage. **Answer:** The answer *correctly formed verb* is not correct. **Explanation:** The verb *lie* is intransitive, but the sentence has a direct object (*those boxes*) and requires a transitive verb (*lay*). ## Good work! **Question:** **Lie** those boxes on the top shelf in the garage. **Answer:** The answer *incorrectly formed verb* is correct. **Explanation:** The verb *lie* is intransitive, but the sentence has a direct object (*those boxes*) and requires a transitive verb (*lay*). 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