troublesome words

Troublesome WordsTroublesome Words

Can and MayCan and May

Can is used when you ask or tell if someone is able to do something.

Can you come with me to the store today?

May is used when you ask or give permission.

May visitors help feed the animals at the center?


(Can, May) the hawk fly well?


Can


(Can, May) we please watch her?


May


(Can, May) I please leave this orphan fawn?


May


(Can, May) you help it?


Can

Sit and SetSit and Set

SitSit means “ means “to take a seat or sit to take a seat or sit downdown.”.”

I want to sit here a while and rest.I want to sit here a while and rest.Sit in the blue chair.Sit in the blue chair.

SetSet means “ means “to place somethingto place something.”.”

Please set this blue chair in that corner.Please set this blue chair in that corner.Set the red cushion on the blue chair.Set the red cushion on the blue chair.

WrongWrongBilly, why did you Billy, why did you sitsit your trap your trap next to the front door where you next to the front door where you knew Samie would get into it?knew Samie would get into it?

RightRight Billy, why did you Billy, why did you setset your trap your trap

next to the front door where you next to the front door where you knew Samie would get into it?knew Samie would get into it?

WrongWrong For that, Billy, you must For that, Billy, you must set set in in

the corner for an hour and think the corner for an hour and think about poor, sad Samie.about poor, sad Samie.

RightRight For that, Billy, you must For that, Billy, you must sit sit in in

the corner for an hour and think the corner for an hour and think about poor, sad Samie.about poor, sad Samie.

I I sitsit on the chair. on the chair. I I set set my gun my gun

down.down.

Write Write sitsit or or setset to complete to complete the sentence.the sentence.

Grandpa did not like to _____ in Grandpa did not like to _____ in this chair. this chair.

Grandpa did not like to Grandpa did not like to sit sit in in this chair. this chair.


down.down.


Mama carefully ________ the Mama carefully ________ the lamp on the table. lamp on the table.

Mama carefully Mama carefully set set the lamp the lamp on the table.on the table.


down.down.


Who ______ the lantern on this Who ______ the lantern on this table? table?

Who Who set set the lantern on this the lantern on this table?table?


down.down.


Would you like to _______ here Would you like to _______ here by the fire?by the fire?

Would you like to Would you like to sit sit here by here by the fire?the fire?

Practice – Number your paper Practice – Number your paper from 1 to 10. Write the correct from 1 to 10. Write the correct answer for each of the answer for each of the following items.following items.

1. David carelessly (sit, set) 1. David carelessly (sit, set) the pork chops on the table the pork chops on the table where the dog could reach where the dog could reach them, and it did. them, and it did.

2. Papa (sit, set) his alarm for 5 2. Papa (sit, set) his alarm for 5 A.M. so that he would not be A.M. so that he would not be late delivering the mail. late delivering the mail.

3. The sun (sits, sets) in the 3. The sun (sits, sets) in the west. west.

4. Grandpa was (sitting, 4. Grandpa was (sitting, setting) by the warm fire. setting) by the warm fire.

5. The hunters (sit, set) their 5. The hunters (sit, set) their raccoon pelts on Grandpa’s raccoon pelts on Grandpa’s counter in the general store. counter in the general store.

6. Billy (sit, set) the bag of corn 6. Billy (sit, set) the bag of corn by the door. by the door.

7. Grandpa was (sitting, 7. Grandpa was (sitting, setting) in the rocking chair setting) in the rocking chair by the window. by the window.

8. Billy was going to (sit, set) 8. Billy was going to (sit, set) down by the red oak tree to down by the red oak tree to wait on Rubin and Rainie. wait on Rubin and Rainie.

9. The wily old coon would (sit, 9. The wily old coon would (sit, set) on the trail until Little set) on the trail until Little Ann and Old Dan came Ann and Old Dan came running in his direction.running in his direction.

10. Billy knew the ghost coon 10. Billy knew the ghost coon could not (sit, set) in his could not (sit, set) in his hiding place all night long.hiding place all night long.

Lie and LayLie and Lay

People People lie lie on beds. Dogs on beds. Dogs lielie on people. on people. Fleas Fleas lielie on dogs. The people, the dogs, on dogs. The people, the dogs, and the fleas are very still. and the fleas are very still. LieLie is a still is a still verb.verb.

A person picks up a dog and A person picks up a dog and layslays it on a it on a blanket. A pair of tweezers picks a flea blanket. A pair of tweezers picks a flea off a dog and off a dog and layslays it outside. A hen it outside. A hen layslays an egg. The person, the tweezers, and an egg. The person, the tweezers, and the hen are very active. the hen are very active. LayLay is an active is an active verb. It implies that somebody is verb. It implies that somebody is setting setting or placingor placing something somewhere. something somewhere.

Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to correctly complete the correctly complete the sentence.sentence. I will I will lielie down and take a nap. down and take a nap. Mama will Mama will laylay the bowl on the table. the bowl on the table.

His little sister _______ the bowl His little sister _______ the bowl of milk beside Old Dan. of milk beside Old Dan.

His little sister His little sister lays lays the bowl of the bowl of milk beside Old Dan. milk beside Old Dan.

Mama asked if she might ____ Mama asked if she might ____ on the bed. on the bed.

Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to correctly complete the correctly complete the sentence.sentence. I will I will lielie down and take a nap. down and take a nap.

Mama will Mama will laylay the bowl on the table. the bowl on the table.

Mama asked if she might Mama asked if she might lie lie on the bed.on the bed.

Will you _______ down your trap Will you _______ down your trap for a few minutes? for a few minutes?

Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to correctly complete the correctly complete the sentence.sentence. I will I will lie lie down and take a nap. down and take a nap.


Will you Will you lay lay down your trap for down your trap for a few minutes?a few minutes?

Old Dan likes to ________ in the Old Dan likes to ________ in the sun.sun.



Old Dan likes to Old Dan likes to lie lie in the sun. in the sun.

Why don't you _______ down for Why don't you _______ down for a few minutes?a few minutes?



Why don't you Why don't you lie lie down for a down for a few minutes?few minutes?

Practice – Number your paper Practice – Number your paper from 1 to 32. Write the correct from 1 to 32. Write the correct

answer for each of the answer for each of the following items.following items.

1. I will (lay, lie) a blanket out 1. I will (lay, lie) a blanket out for Billy to use when he for Billy to use when he washes his hair.washes his hair.

2. You'll feel much better if you 2. You'll feel much better if you just (lay, lie) down and rest just (lay, lie) down and rest for a while. for a while.

3. Billy will (lay, lie) the trap 3. Billy will (lay, lie) the trap down next to the river.down next to the river.

4. Mama’s hens aren't (laying, 4. Mama’s hens aren't (laying, lying) any eggs this week. lying) any eggs this week.

5. The cat is (laying, lying) on 5. The cat is (laying, lying) on the rug, next to the chair. the rug, next to the chair.

6. Grandma (lays, lies) her 6. Grandma (lays, lies) her hairbrush on the dresser hairbrush on the dresser when she finishes using it. when she finishes using it.

7. The four raccoons like to 7. The four raccoons like to (lay, lie) in the sun.(lay, lie) in the sun.

8. Everyday when Papa came 8. Everyday when Papa came home he would (lay, lie) his home he would (lay, lie) his jacket on the sofa.jacket on the sofa.

9. You've been (laying, lying) 9. You've been (laying, lying) there entirely too long. Get there entirely too long. Get up! up!

10. The dogs have been 10. The dogs have been (laying, lying) on the porch (laying, lying) on the porch waiting for Billy.waiting for Billy.

11. He yelled at his dog, “(Lay, 11. He yelled at his dog, “(Lay, Lie) down!" Lie) down!"

12. The police officer told him 12. The police officer told him to (lay, lie) down his gun. to (lay, lie) down his gun.

13. The cat will (lay, lie) its toy 13. The cat will (lay, lie) its toy on the doorsill. on the doorsill.

14. He will (lay, lie) his hand 14. He will (lay, lie) his hand over his heart when he makes over his heart when he makes a vow. a vow.

15. 15. Billy should (lay, lie) on the bed if he is tired.

Leave or LetLeave or Let LeaveLeave means “ means “to go away, depart, or set to go away, depart, or set

out” out” or “or “to allow to remainto allow to remain.” .”

What time should we What time should we leaveleave for the fiddle for the fiddle contest?contest?

If you If you leaveleave Old Dan behind, he will just Old Dan behind, he will just follow us.follow us.

LetLet means “ means “to permit or consentto permit or consent.”.”

I will I will let let you wear my new hat. you wear my new hat.

WrongWrongLetLet him alone! him alone!

RightRight Leave Leave him alone! him alone!

(Allow him to remain alone.) (Allow him to remain alone.)

WrongWrong LeaveLeave me do it again. me do it again.

RightRight Let Let me do it again. me do it again.

(Permit me to do it.) (Permit me to do it.)

The most common mistake is The most common mistake is whether to say:whether to say:

Let it be. or Let it be. or

Leave it be.Leave it be.

Just remember the old Beatles Just remember the old Beatles song to help you remember song to help you remember this.this.

I I letlet Little Ann sleep in the house. Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to I had to leaveleave Old Dan outside Old Dan outside..

I I permittedpermitted Little Ann sleep in the house.Little Ann sleep in the house. I had I had to allowto allow Old Dan Old Dan to remainto remain

outside.outside.

OR OR

Old Dan had to Old Dan had to leaveleave the porch. the porch.

Old Dan had Old Dan had to departto depart the porch. the porch.

Write Write letlet or or leaveleave to complete to complete the sentence.the sentence.

___________it sitting on the ___________it sitting on the stove. stove.

LeaveLeave it sitting on the stove. it sitting on the stove.

Allow it to remain on the stove.Allow it to remain on the stove.


I I permittedpermitted Little Ann sleep in the house.Little Ann sleep in the house. I had I had to allowto allow Old Dan Old Dan to to

remainremain outside. outside.

OR OR


Old Dan had Old Dan had to departto depart the the porch..porch..

Write Write letslets or or leavesleaves to complete to complete the sentence.the sentence.

My mom ___________ me stay up My mom ___________ me stay up until 9:00.until 9:00.

My mom My mom letslets me stay up until me stay up until 9:00.9:00.

My mom My mom permitspermits me stay up me stay up until 9:00.until 9:00.


I I permittedpermitted Little Ann sleep in the house.Little Ann sleep in the house. I had I had to allowto allow Old Dan Old Dan to to

remainremain outside. outside.

OR OR


Old Dan had Old Dan had to departto depart the the porch.porch.

Write Write letslets or or leavesleaves to to complete the sentence.complete the sentence.

Billy _________ his books on the Billy _________ his books on the table. table.

Billy Billy leavesleaves his books on the his books on the table.table.

Billy allows his books to remain Billy allows his books to remain on the table.on the table.

I I letlet Little Ann sleep in the house. Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to leave Old Dan I had to leave Old Dan outsideoutside..

I I allowedallowed Little Ann sleep in the house.Little Ann sleep in the house. I had I had to allowto allow Old Dan Old Dan to remainto remain

outside.outside.

Write Write letlet or or leaveleave to complete to complete the sentence.the sentence.

We __________ the room We __________ the room together. together.

We We leaveleave the room together. the room together.

We depart the room together.We depart the room together.


1. (1. (Let, Leave) me help you with that.

2. 2. Dad will ((let, leave) the pie on the counter for Billy.

3. 3. I will ((let, leave) you alone until you feel better.

4. 4. Grandpa will ((let, leave) Billy be by himself for a while.

5. (5. (Let, Leave) your little brother alone.

6. (6. (Let, Leave) him be.

7. Although 7. Although Billy was the master, he often ((let, leave) Old Dan and Little Ann have their way.

8. 8. Grandpa often said, “((Let, Leave) me tell you what Old Dan and Little Ann did today.”

9. 9. By the end of the day, Billy will ((let, leave) you with an answer to that question.

10. 10. Someday you must ((let, leave) me tell you the story of Old Dan and Little Ann.

Teach and Learn Teach means “to instruct, train,

or pass on knowledge.”

Mrs. Laird teaches her class how to read.

To learn something is “to receive or be given knowledge.”

The students The students learnlearn to read with the to read with the help of the teacher.help of the teacher.

Think of it this way.Think of it this way.

Many people can Many people can teachteach you you something they know how to something they know how to do. However, you are the one do. However, you are the one who who learnslearns how to do how to do something new. something new.

Wrong I will learn you how to solve this

math problem.

Right I will teach you how to solve this

math problem. I am sure you can learn it.

Wrong I will teach how to dance after

a series of lessons.

Right I will learn how to dance after

a series of lessons.

Billy will Billy will teachteach the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will learn learn how to how to hunt. hunt. Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will

gain knowledge. gain knowledge.

Write Write teachteach or or learnlearn to to complete the sentence.complete the sentence.

Little Ann will _________ Old Dan Little Ann will _________ Old Dan how to swim across the river. how to swim across the river.

Little Ann will Little Ann will teachteach Old Dan Old Dan how to swim across the river.how to swim across the river.




Billy used a raccoon hide to Billy used a raccoon hide to ______ Little Ann and Old Dan. ______ Little Ann and Old Dan.

Billy used a raccoon hide to Billy used a raccoon hide to teachteach Little Ann and Old Dan. Little Ann and Old Dan.




Samie could not _________ to Samie could not _________ to stay away from the trap. stay away from the trap.



Write Write taughttaught or or learnedlearned to to complete the sentence.complete the sentence.

Little Ann and Old Dan ________ Little Ann and Old Dan ________ quickly how to track coons. quickly how to track coons.

Samie could not Samie could not learnlearn to stay to stay away from the trap.away from the trap.

Little Ann and Old Dan Little Ann and Old Dan learnedlearned quickly how to track quickly how to track coons.coons.


1. Why did Billy (teach, learn) 1. Why did Billy (teach, learn) the girls to take care of the girls to take care of Samie?Samie?

2. Do you want to (teach, 2. Do you want to (teach, learn) how to trap coons? learn) how to trap coons?

3. Dad tried to (teach, learn) 3. Dad tried to (teach, learn) Billy how to set the trap.Billy how to set the trap.

4. In this book you will (teach, 4. In this book you will (teach, learn) all about coon hunting.learn) all about coon hunting.

5. How will Billy (teach, learn) 5. How will Billy (teach, learn) the way to town?the way to town?

6. Who will (teach, learn) the 6. Who will (teach, learn) the girls how to skip a stone girls how to skip a stone across the creek?across the creek?

7. Billy (taught, learned) his 7. Billy (taught, learned) his sisters how to build a dog sisters how to build a dog pen.pen.

8. I (taught, learned) how to 8. I (taught, learned) how to make a fishing pole using a make a fishing pole using a safety pin and string.safety pin and string.

9. Grandpa can (teach, learn) 9. Grandpa can (teach, learn) me how to grind corn to make me how to grind corn to make cornmeal.cornmeal.

10. Can you (teach, learn) Billy 10. Can you (teach, learn) Billy how to skin a coon?how to skin a coon?

troublesome words

Documents

blue chair

rocking chair

right billy

wrong billy

sad samie

little sister

old dan

little ann