By

Cheryl Hamilton

Grade 5

TROUBLESOME VERBS

Some pairs of verbs are confusing because they have similar meanings or because they look alike.

Troublesome Verbs

Lay means “put” or “place.” Lie means “rest” or “recline.” Set means “put something somewhere.” Sit means “sit down.” Let means “allow.” Leave means “go away.”

Troublesome Verbs

Present Past Past Participle lay laid (has, have, had)

laid lie lay (has, have, had)

lain set set (has, have, had)

set sit sat (has, have, had)

sat let let (has, have, had)

let leave left (has, have, had)

left

Troublesome Verbs Tenses

I let Diesel swim in the pool last summer.Verb is letTense is past

Example

Missy sits down for a treat.Verb is sitsTense is present

Example

Colin has lain down on the tube to rest.Verb is has lainTense is part participle

Example

You (set, sit) the CD on the counter.

Can you (leave, let) me pay for it?

My family have already (left, let) the mall.

Practice Time

After supper we (sat, set) down and watched the movie.

Grady has (laid, lain) down on the floor for a nap.

Fiona (laid, lied) a log on the fire.

Practice Time

You set the CD on the counter.

Can you let me pay for it?

My family have already let the mall.

After supper we sat down and watched the movie.

Grady has lain down on the floor for a nap.

Fiona laid a log on the fire.

Check Your Answers

How did you do?