Rule 1: Lie, Lay, Lain This Verb Is Always Intransitive; It Never Has a Complement

Grammar Unit 3Lie vs. Lay, Direct Object Indirect Object, and PrepositionsPage 1 of 7

Lie vs. Lay

Rule 1: Lie, Lay, Lain This verb is always intransitive; it never has a complement. It means to rest or recline.

Rule 2: Lay, Laid, Laid, is always transitive: it must have a complement to complete its meaning. It means to put or place something.

Intransitive (to rest or recline) / Transitive (to put or place something)
Present / Lie, Lies, Lying / Lay, Lays, Laying
Past / Lay / Laid
Third principal participle (has or had) / Lain / Laid

Rule 3: Add –ing to the present tense, never to the past tense.

Unit 3 Exercise 1

1. Determine which of the six questions is answered after the blank. 2. Then determine if it is intransitive or transitive. Use the chart to determine which form of Lie or Lay to use.

1. How long will Tom ___ in bed this morning? (present)
2. He has ___ there too long.
3. Albert was ____ in the sun all morning.
4. The teacher ___ her books on her desk. (present)
5. Now her books are __ on her desk
6. The lecturer was ____ his papers on the podium.
7. Now his papers are ____ on the podium
8. Pete ____ on the grass and cried. (past)
9. My dog is ____ on the rug. (present)
10. The doctor ____ his forceps on the table. (present)
11. They ____ there all morning (past)
12. Robert ____ the cover over his pool. (past)
13. Now the cover was ____ over his pool.
14. He was ____ the cover over his pool.
15. Tom had ____ the shells in the sun.
16. He was ____ in the sun.
17. He ____ there for an hour (present)
18. Jim ____ his pencils near his typewriter. (past)
19. Now his pencils are ____ near his typewriter.
20. Mildred is ____ on her bed.
21. She was _____ there for over an hour.
22. I _____ the book down. (present)
23. I also _____ it down yesterday.
24. I had _____ it there very often.
25. She had been _____ scraps of paper all over the floor.

More Troublesome Verbs

Rule 4: Rise, Rose, Risen This verb is always intransitive. It never has a complement.

Rule 5:Raise, raised, raised.This verb is always transitive.

Rule 6:Sit, Sat, Sat This verb is always intransitive

Rule 7:Set, Set, SetThis verb means to put something in a certain place. It is usually transitive.

Rule 8:Leave, Let, LetLeave means to permit to remain, or depart; let means to permit.

Unit 3 Exercise 2

Underline the correct verb in the following sentences.

1. I (sat, set) before the fire last night.
2. Please (leave, let) us go.
3. She (sits, set) the glasses(what) down carefully.
4. The men were (setting, sitting) on the bench (where).
5. I have never (set, sat) there (where) before.
6. The teacher (rose, raised) the window (what).
7. You must (set, sit) down (where).
8. Her voice had (rose, risen) to a high pitch.
9. My mother will not (leave, let) me go to the dance.
10. Please (let, leave) my coat on the chair.
11. My little sister (leave, let) my hamster escape.
12. He (raised , rose) slowly from his chair.
13. Her parents will not (leave, let) Sue go out alone.
14. James (rose, raised) his hand.
15. You may (leave, let) the room.
16. Janie likes to (sit, set) the table.
17. You can always (let, leave) the matter run its course.
18. (Let, Leave) me take your baggage.
19. We have been (sitting, setting) the table.
20. He often (leaves, lets) me drive his car.
21. (Sit, Set) the bouquet on the table.
22. Will you please (leave, let) me ask you a question?
23. Joe (lets, leaves) his belongings everywhere.
24. I (raised, rose) quickly from my seat.
25. Mike always (set, sat) in the back seat of the classroom.

Case

Rule 9: Case means the use of a noun in a sentence.

Rule 10: The nominative case always names the subject, the doer or the receiver of a sentence. The subject of a sentence is always in the nominative case.

Unit 3 Exercise 3

Write out the basic sentence pattern of the following sentences. Remember that prepositionalphrases are not part of the basic sentence pattern.

1. Brian with his three sisters visited Europe last summer.
2. In my room was a shelf of mystery stories.
3. The photographer with his wife has left for Hawaii.
4. A sack of oranges was delivered to the cafeteria.
5. A bottle of syrup broke on my clean kitchen floor.
6. The principal gave us a longer lunch period.
7. The coach, with his assistants, wants a victory.
8. In the second race, our team finally won.
9. Nothing satisfied him.
10. The Photographer took pictures of the students.

Apposition Definition

Rule 11: The term apposition comes from the Latin verb meaning “to put near or next to.”

Rule 12: Appositions are used to identify, rename, or explain the noun.

Rule 13: An appositive that identifies the subject is always in the nominative case.

Unit 3 Exercise 4

(Apposition) Write down Subject and the first and last word of the apposition.

1. Mrs. Travers, the secretary at our school, retired last fall.
2. Paul Jones, the yearbook of the Seraph Scrolls, will graduate in June.
3. Jane Coffman, the winner of the music contest, received a trip to Boston.
4. Tom and Pete, my best friends, went to England.
5. My scissors, an heirloom, cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the museum.
6. My mother, a flower lover, spends many hours in her garden.
7. Pete, the janitor, painted the gym in one week.
8. Apricots, my favorite fruit, also make a good pie.
9. John, the captain of our football team, received a scholarship to PennState.
10. Bob, the master of ceremonies, has a tremendous sense of humor.

Unit 3 Quiz 1 (1-4)

Subject Complement (Predicate Nominative)

Rule 14: The complement of a linking verb always relates to the subject and must be in the nominative case.

Unit 3 Exercise 5

Writes S for subject. A for apposition, or C for subject complement for the yellow highlighted nouns in the following sentences.

1. Hemingway is a great author.
2. My friends went on a trip last week.
3. Amethyst, a purple birthstone, is the gem for February.
4. Tom, my brother-in-law, earned a trip to Africa.
5. Mabel, my cousin, will visit me during Christmas vacation.
6. “Birches” by Robert Frost is my favorite poem.
7. Jack is a great preacher.
8. Napoleon was a brilliant general.
9. Liz, my sister, is a good seamstress.
10. The audience applauded the cast.
11. Jane, an excellent pianist, is also an honor student.
12. Joe, a dedicated baseball player, has a collection of baseball cards.
13. Paul is an excellent soccer player.
14. Miss Winkle, our math teacher, is very strict.
15. Our neighbor, Ann Cooper, is a fine golfer.
16. Venus, the Greek goddess, was always jealous.
17. Julie, my friend, attends CalPolyUniversity.
18. Jesse Owens, an Olympic runner, surpassed his world record.
19. The scene of the murder was an old grocery store.
20. Our drama club sponsored a variety show last week.
21. Nick is sleepy.

Direct Object Definition

Rule 15: The direct object is always the complement of a transitive verb.

Rule 16: The direct object always completes the verb, answering the questions what or whom.

Rule 17: When there is more than one direct object, the direct objects are compound.

Unit 3 Exercise 6

(Direct Object) Write the direct objects in the following sentences.

1. Jack left the room (what) very angry.
2. Bob saw his friend (who) at the theater.
3. We bought paper(what) and pencils (what) for the exam.
4. Everyone applauded the man’s efforts to rescue his brother.
5. The classwrote a letter(what) to the President of the United States.
6. Marie saw her little sister(who) in the park.
7. The newsboy found his papers in the bushes.
8. The minister led his congregation in song.
9. Ted sold his bike to the first customer.
10. Peg led the bikers on a new trail.
11. Our class had a Christmas party.
12. Joan strung Christmas lights in her porch.
13. Someone stole Jack’s bicycle.
14. We all welcomed the new teacher.
15. File these papers today.
16. Listen to the flute.
17. The guide took us on a hike in the woods.
18. Where did you find that wallet?
19. We noticed the boy’s reluctance to speak.
20. Send me the teacher’s report.

Unit 3 Exercise 7

Write the direct object from each sentence. If there is more than one then write the first one then write the second or third one.

1. Fancisco Pizarro, a sixteenth-century Spanish explorer, won much fame and fortune for his country.
2. Around 1520 Pizarro heard rumors of a vast and rich empire in the central highlands of South America.
3. In 1524 Pizarro began an expedition to the west coast of South America.
4. Bad weather hindered him in his first visit to the region.
5. In 1528, however, Pizarro located the Inca and their extensive empire.
6. Signs of gold and other riches in the Inca capital of Cuzco pleased the explorer greatly.
7. In 1532 Pizarro captured Atahualpa, a great Inca chief, in the town of Cajamarca.
8. The Incas gave a vast quantity of gold and silver object ot Pizarro in order to save their chief.
9. In the end Pizarro heartlessly killed the Inca ruler.
10. After the death of Chief Atahualpa, Pizarro easily conquered the Inca and their lands.
11. Jerome carried his backpack to school.
12. We spotted the ranger and the horse by the falls.
13. The pitcher threw a curveball and then a slider.
14. She tapped the window gently.
15. The visitor rang the bell twice.
16. Beethoven wrote only one opera.
17. She ate spaghetti for lunch.
18. My mother reads at least two books a month.
19. Phyllis Wheatley wrote poetry about her life as a slave.
20. This morning Father skipped breakfast.
21. This tree produces hazelnuts.
22. She wrote original music for the show.
23. The steamer blew its whistle during the storm.
24. The kitchen clock uses only batteries.
25. My family visited Toronto and Ottawa.
26. Marge helped him and me with our homework.
27. He bakes delicious breads, cookies, and cakes.
28. My older sister teaches biology and chemistry at school.
29. We found Bill and her at the lake.
30. I will read The Pearl and The Prince this summer.
31. Yesterday Marta got a vaccination and a checkup.
32. We can choose ice cream, fruit, or pie for dessert.
33. Barbara is touring Colombia and Panama this month.
34. Did the workers receive any praise or rewards.
35. Whom has she taken from you?
36. Which T-shirt do you like?
37. Whom did you meet in the cafeteria?
38. Whom did your sister invite to the party?
39. Which coat will you wear tonight?
40. What will you do with the twenty dollars?
41. What shall I buy?
42. Which groups will they audition for the dance?
43. Whom has Julie chosen as co-captain?
44. Whose radio did they borrow yesterday?
45. What effect did the aspirin have on the pain?
46. Which windows did the sonic boom break?
47. Which story will she read to us this evening?
48. My aunt approached the door cautiously.
49. Sally gave our puppy to the Wilsons.
50. The patients take their medicine three times a day.
51. My mother sent the clothing to the Red Cross.
52. At night she often eats frozen dinners.
53. We received oranges from Florida.
54. I want them here now.
55. He winds his gold watch each morning.
56. After lunch she gave an account of the accident.
57. They did not serve any dessert after dinner.
58. At the market buy some lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes.
59. After class Mr. Simpson complimented Ned and him on their project.
60. Did they buy a sedan or a convertible?
61. I shocked Mary and Bob with my story.
62. I saw him and her at the movies.
63. The train passed New York, Providence, and Boston while I slept.
64. Linda and Alan planted marigolds and petunias in their garden.
65. The poet Sylvia Plath wrote many poems and one novel.
66. She has always loved ships and the sea.
67. Sara bought a new blouse and a yellow skirt and blue shoes.
68. Which photograph did she take?
69. Whom does he expect this evening?
70. What did you do with the package?
71. Where will you spend your vacation?
72. Which books have they read?
73. How many records did you buy?
74. Which suggestions have they considered so far?
75. What have you heard about the astronauts?

Indirect Object

Rule 18: An indirect object appears with the direct object and names the person or thing to which something is given or done.

Rule 19: An indirect object always precedes the direct object in a sentence.

Rule 20: You can never have an indirect object without a direct object.

Rule 21: The prepositions TO and FOR are understood with the indirect object.

Rule 22: Indirect objects are never part of the basic sentence pattern.

Unit 3 Exercise 8

(Indirect object) Write down the indirect object and then the direct object from each sentence. Be sure to label each word as the I.O. or the D.O

1. The principalgave the class a free period.
2. Shipsbrought the peoplefood and clothing.
3. The Thespian Clubgave the school a great movie.
4. The baker made my mother several loaves of bread.
5. The FBIsentMr. Matthewsawarning.
6. The photographer gave the school several free photographs (what).
7. Please take Mary and Ted some ice cream.
8. The Constitution guarantees Americans their freedom.
9. The freshman class gave the basketball team hot chocolate.
10. My friend offered Mrs. Smith his car.
11. We certainly gave Miss Jones a fright.
12. Mr. Benson gave his nephew nothing for his birthday.
13. Mrs. Newhall wrote her son a letter every day.
14. Please give Joan this note.
15. I gave my father my good report card.
16. Mr. Johnson sent his son some money.
17. The policeman gave me a ticket for speeding.
18. A walk each day will give the invalid some exercise.
19. Albert sent his mother flowers for Mother’s Day.
20. My Aunt Nellie sent me my favorite recipe.

Prepositional Phrases

Rule 23: A preposition is a word that shows relationship between two nouns.

Rule 24: The choice of a preposition reveals the relationship between the complement (object of the preposition) and the word before the preposition.

Rule 25:The preposition with its complement (word that completes a preposition) is called a prepositional phrase.

Rule 26: A preposition must have a complement; otherwise it is not a preposition.

Rule 27: The complement of a preposition is always in the objective case.

Rule 28: A preposition must have an object; otherwise it is classified as an adverb.

Frequently Used Prepositions

(You will need to know all of these for Test 4)

AboutAboveAcrossAfter

AgainstAlongAmongAround

BeforeBehindBeneathBesides BetweenBut (Except)By Concerning

DespiteDownExceptFrom

InIntoLikeOn

OverOutPastTill

ToTowardUnderUntil

Up WithWithout

Compound Prepositions

(You will need to know all of these for Test 4)

Rule 29:Some combinations of words like as to, out of, instead of, according to, and in place of are regarded as single prepositions. They express a single relationship, and often one word may be substituted for them.

Know the following compound prepositions

According toAhead of Apart from

As ofBecause of By means of

In back ofIn front of In place of Instead ofIn regard to In view of

Unit 3 Exercise 9

1. A preposition is a word that shows relationship between two _____.
2. The choice of a preposition reveals the relationship between the complement (object of the preposition) and the word _____ the preposition.
3. The preposition with its complement (word that completes a preposition) is called a prepositional ______.
4. A preposition must have a ______; otherwise it is not a preposition.
5. The complement of a preposition is always in the ______case.
6. A preposition must have an object; otherwise it is classified as an ______.

Write the preposition in the following sentences.

1. The girl in the blue dress is my sister
2. The freshmen on our football squad look unusually big and tall.
3. The old house was made of adobe.
4. The students in her class must speak French.
5. During the war my brother was injured by a grenade.
6. The men from the construction company attended the rally.
7. The airplane flew above the clouds.
8. We walked around the block and across the train tracks.
9. A chattering squirrel scampered up the tree.
10. Clare’s initials are engraved inside her ring.
11. The ship sailed at midnight.
12. A light rain fell during the night.
13. Mildred remained in her room all day.
14. The garage stands between the house and the barn.
15. We divided the fruit among the four boys.
16. The crew lowered the lifeboats into the water.
17. The lecture covered a variety of subjects.
18. All may leave but Tom
19. After the battle the soldiers rested for one week.
20. Many trees were destroyed during the storm.
21. He has found leaders among men of thought and action.
22. They came in the summer months by hundreds.
23. The team emerged from the game victorious and unscathed.
24. Our judgments concerning his worth were biased.
25. Their wives seldom go to the island before May.

What is the prepositional phrase in the following sentences?

1. The girl in the blue dress is my sister
2. The freshmen on our football squad look unusually big and tall.
3. The old house was made of adobe.
4. The students in her class must speak French.
5. (During the war my brother was injured)by a grenade.
6. The men from the construction company attended the rally.
7. The airplane flew above the clouds.
8. (We walked around the block )and across the train tracks.
9. A chattering squirrel scampered up the tree.
10. Clare’s initials are engraved inside her ring.
11. The ship sailed at midnight.
12. A light rain fell during the night.
13. Mildred remained in her room all day.
14. We divided the fruit among the four boys.
15. The crew lowered the lifeboats into the water.
16. The lecture covered a variety of subjects.
17. All may leave but Tom.
18. (After the battle the soldiers rested) for one week.
19. Many trees were destroyed during the storm.
20. (He has found leaders among men) of thought and action.
21. (They came in the summer months) by hundreds.
22. The team emerged from the game victorious and unscathed.
23. Our judgments concerning his worth were biased.
24. Their wives seldom go to the island before May.

Unit 3 Quiz 2 (Exercices 5-9)