Grammar RulesGrammar RulesLay or Lie?Lay or Lie?

Too, To, or Two?Too, To, or Two?Sit or Set?Sit or Set?

Their, They’re, or There?Their, They’re, or There?

Lay or Lie? Which is used?Lay or Lie? Which is used?

LIE -LIE - To lie down is an act that can To lie down is an act that can be attributed to the subject.be attributed to the subject.There is no object of this verb, as the There is no object of this verb, as the subject is doing the action without a subject is doing the action without a receiver.receiver.

LAY - LAY - Lay must have a direct object. Lay must have a direct object. One lays something down. (Hint: One lays something down. (Hint: substitute "put." If "put" works, then substitute "put." If "put" works, then "lay" is also "lay" is also correct.)correct.)

Conjugation of LIE:Conjugation of LIE:

I lie down today. (present tense)I lie down today. (present tense) The money lay there yesterday. The money lay there yesterday.

(past tense)(past tense) Sarah will lie down there Sarah will lie down there

tomorrow. (future tense)tomorrow. (future tense) The book has lain here many The book has lain here many

times before. (use perfect tense times before. (use perfect tense with have, had, has) with have, had, has)

Conjugation of LAY:Conjugation of LAY:

I lay the book down.I lay the book down.(present tense)(present tense)

I laid it down yesterday.I laid it down yesterday.(past tense)(past tense)

I will lay it down again tomorrow. I will lay it down again tomorrow. (future tense)(future tense)

I have laid it here many times I have laid it here many times before. (use perfect tense with before. (use perfect tense with have, had, has) have, had, has)

Choose the lie or lay for each of Choose the lie or lay for each of the blanks below. Be sure to the blanks below. Be sure to use the correct tense.use the correct tense.

1. He _____ on the hard pavement 1. He _____ on the hard pavement this morning, gasping for breath.this morning, gasping for breath.

2. How long did he _____ there?2. How long did he _____ there? 3. I don't know how long he had 3. I don't know how long he had

______ there.______ there. 4. He picked up the wounded bird 4. He picked up the wounded bird

and _____ it gently on the table.and _____ it gently on the table. 5. She _____ her sewing aside and 5. She _____ her sewing aside and

went to the door.went to the door.

6. Are you going to _____ there all day?6. Are you going to _____ there all day? 7. The three puppies ______ in the basket.7. The three puppies ______ in the basket. 8. Linda _____ her coat on the couch.8. Linda _____ her coat on the couch. 9. Not feeling well, he _____ in his bed all 9. Not feeling well, he _____ in his bed all

day.day. 10. He decided to just _____ around the 10. He decided to just _____ around the

house all summer.house all summer. 11. Someone _____ the dictionary on my 11. Someone _____ the dictionary on my

glasses.glasses. 12. The money _____ there all day in plain 12. The money _____ there all day in plain

sight.sight. 13. She had _____ the book on the ground 13. She had _____ the book on the ground

under the tree.under the tree. 14. Ginny _____ down on a beach towel.14. Ginny _____ down on a beach towel.

15. I saw the hat that you _____ on 15. I saw the hat that you _____ on the hall table.the hall table.

16. She had just _____ down for a 16. She had just _____ down for a nap when the phone rang.nap when the phone rang.

17. The two teenagers _____ in the 17. The two teenagers _____ in the sun all day.sun all day.

18. Have they _____ the cornerstone 18. Have they _____ the cornerstone of the building yet?of the building yet?

19. She had _____ the coverlet over 19. She had _____ the coverlet over the child at midnight.the child at midnight.

20. He should not ____ the blame for 20. He should not ____ the blame for the accident on the other driver.the accident on the other driver.

Ann _____ the baby on the bed and Ann _____ the baby on the bed and then ____ his stuffed bear beside then ____ his stuffed bear beside him. I wondered how long the baby him. I wondered how long the baby would ____ there without crying. would ____ there without crying. Aunt Marge said that she Aunt Marge said that she remembered one day when he had remembered one day when he had _____ in the same position for an _____ in the same position for an hour. She said another time when hour. She said another time when she was there, the puppy had _____ she was there, the puppy had _____ next to the baby on the bed.next to the baby on the bed.She remembered picking up the She remembered picking up the puppy while it was still asleep. Then puppy while it was still asleep. Then she ____ the puppy on the rug. she ____ the puppy on the rug. When Aunt Marge left, the puppy When Aunt Marge left, the puppy was still there. was still there.

It had _____ there for nearly two hours It had _____ there for nearly two hours sound asleep! Meanwhile, the babysound asleep! Meanwhile, the babywoke up and _____ quietly for fully woke up and _____ quietly for fully half an hour just watching the puppy half an hour just watching the puppy snore. Finally, neither the puppy nor snore. Finally, neither the puppy nor the baby could _____ there any the baby could _____ there any longer, so the baby _____ on the old longer, so the baby _____ on the old sympathy play and started whining sympathy play and started whining pitifully until Ann was forced to pitifully until Ann was forced to _____ aside the sweater that she _____ aside the sweater that she had hoped to finish knitting while the had hoped to finish knitting while the baby _____ down.baby _____ down.

Too, To, or Two?Too, To, or Two?

Two Two is a number.is a number.She counted, "One, two, three.“She counted, "One, two, three.“

Too Too is an adverb that can mean also.is an adverb that can mean also.He wanted to go too.He wanted to go too.

Too Too is an adverb that can also mean is an adverb that can also mean more than enough.more than enough.

      This is too much for me!This is too much for me!

ToTo + a noun or noun phrase is a + a noun or noun phrase is a preposition.preposition.

Take me to the ball game.Take me to the ball game.

I went to bed early that night.I went to bed early that night.

ToTo + a verb is an infinitive. + a verb is an infinitive.

She wanted to go.She wanted to go.

He decided to run away.He decided to run away.

Choose the correct two, too, or Choose the correct two, too, or to for each of the blanks below:to for each of the blanks below:

1. Many students read _____ quickly 1. Many students read _____ quickly and _____ carelessly.and _____ carelessly.

2. I was _____ scared _____ say a 2. I was _____ scared _____ say a word to her!word to her!

3. I am going _____ the store now.3. I am going _____ the store now. 4. They are building _____ new 4. They are building _____ new

houses on our block.houses on our block. 5. May I go _____?5. May I go _____? 6. Do you think it is _____ late _____ 6. Do you think it is _____ late _____

do that now?do that now?

7. I have _____ new shirts that I can't wait 7. I have _____ new shirts that I can't wait _____ wear._____ wear.

8. My dental appointment lasted _____ 8. My dental appointment lasted _____ hours and that was _____ long!hours and that was _____ long!

9. This room is _____ cold _____ stay in 9. This room is _____ cold _____ stay in very much longer.very much longer.

10. After I played racquetball for _____ 10. After I played racquetball for _____ hours, I was _____ tired _____ walk home.hours, I was _____ tired _____ walk home.

11. It is not good _____ put _____ much 11. It is not good _____ put _____ much salt on your food.salt on your food.

12. My next dental appointment is for 12. My next dental appointment is for tomorrow at _____ o'clock.tomorrow at _____ o'clock.

13. I am not _____ excited about going 13. I am not _____ excited about going _____ the dentist again._____ the dentist again.

14. My brother flew _____ Alabama earlier 14. My brother flew _____ Alabama earlier this week.this week.

15. We have planted _____ rose bushes in 15. We have planted _____ rose bushes in pots on the patio.pots on the patio.

Sit or Set?Sit or Set? SIT - SIT - To sit is an act that can be attributed To sit is an act that can be attributed

to the subject.to the subject.To sit means to take a resting position.To sit means to take a resting position.There is no object of this verb, as the There is no object of this verb, as the subject is doing the action without a subject is doing the action without a receiver of the action.receiver of the action.

SET SET - Set must have a direct object.- Set must have a direct object.To set means to place something in a To set means to place something in a special or certain position.special or certain position.One sets something down.One sets something down.One sets something right.One sets something right.(Hint: substitute "put." If "put" works, then (Hint: substitute "put." If "put" works, then "set" is also correct.)"set" is also correct.)

Conjugation of SIT:Conjugation of SIT:

I sit today. (present tense)I sit today. (present tense) The money sat there yesterday. The money sat there yesterday.

(past tense)(past tense) Sarah will sit there tomorrow. (future Sarah will sit there tomorrow. (future

tense)tense) The book has sat here many times The book has sat here many times

before.before.

(perfect tense)(perfect tense)

(use with have, had, and has)(use with have, had, and has)

Conjugation of SET:Conjugation of SET:

I set the book down.I set the book down.

(present tense)(present tense) I set it down yesterday.I set it down yesterday.

(past tense)(past tense) I will set it down again tomorrow.I will set it down again tomorrow.

(future tense)(future tense) I have set it here many times before.I have set it here many times before.

(perfect tense)(perfect tense)

(use with have, had, has)(use with have, had, has)

Choose the sit or set for each of Choose the sit or set for each of the blanks below. Be sure to the blanks below. Be sure to use the correct tense.use the correct tense.

1- Have you _____ the alarm clock 1- Have you _____ the alarm clock for tomorrow?for tomorrow?

2 - How long did he _____ there?2 - How long did he _____ there? 3- I don't know how long he had 3- I don't know how long he had

______ there.______ there. 4- He picked up the wounded bird 4- He picked up the wounded bird

and _____ it gently on the table.and _____ it gently on the table. 5- She _____ her sewing aside and 5- She _____ her sewing aside and

went to the door.went to the door.

6- Are you going to _____ there all day?6- Are you going to _____ there all day? 7- Where shall we ______?7- Where shall we ______? 8- Linda _____ her coat on the couch.8- Linda _____ her coat on the couch. 9- ______ the packages on the front porch 9- ______ the packages on the front porch

by the door.by the door. 10- He decided to just _____ around the 10- He decided to just _____ around the

house all summer.house all summer. 11- Someone _____ the dictionary on my 11- Someone _____ the dictionary on my

glasses.glasses. 12- The money _____ there all day in plain 12- The money _____ there all day in plain

sight.sight. 13- She had _____ the book on the ground 13- She had _____ the book on the ground

under the tree.under the tree. 14- Ginny _____ down on a beach towel.14- Ginny _____ down on a beach towel.

15- I always ______ near the door.15- I always ______ near the door. 16- Dr. Javier _____ my brother's 16- Dr. Javier _____ my brother's

arm when he broke it.arm when he broke it. 17- The two teenagers _____ in the 17- The two teenagers _____ in the

sun all day.sun all day. 18- Chris may ____ a new record in 18- Chris may ____ a new record in

the race today.the race today. 19- Just _____ right here until they 19- Just _____ right here until they

call your name.call your name. 20- Sandy, please _______ the 20- Sandy, please _______ the

table.table.

Their, There, or They’re?Their, There, or They’re?

TheirTheir is a is a possessive pronoun. It always describes a noun. It always describes a noun.

Note the spelling of Note the spelling of their.their. It It comes from the word comes from the word they,they, so so the the ee comes before the comes before the i. i.

Examples Examples Their Their dog has fleas. dog has fleas. (possessive of (possessive of theythey) )

ThereThere is an adverb meaning is an adverb meaning "that location." It is sometimes "that location." It is sometimes used with the verb used with the verb to beto be as an as an idiom. It is spelled like idiom. It is spelled like herehere which means "this location." which means "this location."

Examples: I put the collar right Examples: I put the collar right there. (that location) there. (that location)

There are five prime numbers There are five prime numbers less than ten. less than ten. (with (with to beto be) )

They'reThey're is a is a contraction of of they they are.are. Note the spelling: The Note the spelling: The aa from from areare is replaced by an is replaced by an apostrophe. apostrophe.

What are the first few prime What are the first few prime numbers? They're 1, 2, 3, 5, numbers? They're 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. (contraction of and 7. (contraction of they arethey are) )

Let’s try some . . .Let’s try some . . . ______ are no excuses this time, Buddy!______ are no excuses this time, Buddy! I can't imagine where __________ going after the I can't imagine where __________ going after the

movie.movie. It's ________ car, so let them decide where we're It's ________ car, so let them decide where we're

going.going. Wherever ________ are two or more firefighters in Wherever ________ are two or more firefighters in

the same room, you know what they'll be talking the same room, you know what they'll be talking about. about.

Whatever ________ doing to this highway, it seems Whatever ________ doing to this highway, it seems to be taking forever to finish. to be taking forever to finish.

These students have a poor attendance record. I'm These students have a poor attendance record. I'm worried about ______ being absent during next worried about ______ being absent during next week's exams.week's exams.

Because Tamara and Casey are always smooching Because Tamara and Casey are always smooching in their car, __________ friends expect them to in their car, __________ friends expect them to arrive late to dinners and movies. arrive late to dinners and movies.

"Don't touch those cookies!" warned Mrs. Patterson. "Don't touch those cookies!" warned Mrs. Patterson. "__________ made with termites and honey for "__________ made with termites and honey for Freddie, my pet anteater.“ Freddie, my pet anteater.“

__________ were muddy paw prints on the new __________ were muddy paw prints on the new white sofa. white sofa.

The Mitchells cut __________ grass so infrequently The Mitchells cut __________ grass so infrequently that early in the morning, you can find wild rabbits that early in the morning, you can find wild rabbits feasting on the long green shoots. feasting on the long green shoots.

Dusty and Chris came to the essay exam without Dusty and Chris came to the essay exam without __________ dictionaries.__________ dictionaries.

Michael blasts music from his car stereo, annoying Michael blasts music from his car stereo, annoying other but __________ looks of disapproval don't other but __________ looks of disapproval don't register.register.

Sheba and Cindy Sue, the family cats, keep Jeanne Sheba and Cindy Sue, the family cats, keep Jeanne from sleeping past 6 a.m. __________ meows of from sleeping past 6 a.m. __________ meows of hunger can wake her from the deepest sleep. hunger can wake her from the deepest sleep.

My dog Oreo loves to chase lizards because My dog Oreo loves to chase lizards because __________ not as dangerous as the two family __________ not as dangerous as the two family cats with sharp claws. cats with sharp claws.

Frank continues to wear his old, dirty, smelly Frank continues to wear his old, dirty, smelly sneakers because __________ the most sneakers because __________ the most comfortable shoes that he owns. comfortable shoes that he owns.

Dallas and Kelly crammed until 4 a.m. for their final Dallas and Kelly crammed until 4 a.m. for their final exam in accounting; __________ hoping for Asexam in accounting; __________ hoping for As..

I'm starving! Are __________ any more leftover I'm starving! Are __________ any more leftover honey-roasted grasshoppers in the fridge? honey-roasted grasshoppers in the fridge?

Paulette and Judi tried to eat the cafeteria Paulette and Judi tried to eat the cafeteria hamburgers, but _________ stomachs are queasy.hamburgers, but _________ stomachs are queasy.

Is __________ a possibility that we can abandon Is __________ a possibility that we can abandon our plans to rake the yard? our plans to rake the yard?

"Look over _________ !" shouted Lenny"Look over _________ !" shouted Lenny Kay has a huge collection of DVDs, everything from Kay has a huge collection of DVDs, everything from

"How To" titles to Mae West movies. __________ "How To" titles to Mae West movies. __________ all lined up in alphabetical order, filling five all lined up in alphabetical order, filling five bookcases in the living room. bookcases in the living room.

Because my careless roommate Jennifer is always Because my careless roommate Jennifer is always dripping grape juice, you will find purple spots here dripping grape juice, you will find purple spots here and __________ on the carpeting. and __________ on the carpeting.

Julia’s neighbors are driving her crazy. They play Julia’s neighbors are driving her crazy. They play __________ loud music until 2 a.m., after which __________ loud music until 2 a.m., after which __________ German shepherd barks for another __________ German shepherd barks for another three hours. three hours.

Both of Clark’s grandfathers wear toupees because Both of Clark’s grandfathers wear toupees because they don't want to blind any beautiful women with they don't want to blind any beautiful women with __________ shiny bald heads. __________ shiny bald heads.

Derrick's coworkers at Bernie’s Burger Emporium Derrick's coworkers at Bernie’s Burger Emporium never get hungry because __________ always never get hungry because __________ always eating the onion rings. eating the onion rings.

The students put __________ heads on the desks The students put __________ heads on the desks and groanedand groaned. .