Confused Verbs
Meredith Hendery
Purpose: The purpose of this convention mini-lesson is to help
students differentiate between verbs that are often confused. Understanding the
correct way of using verbs is an important aspect of being a good writer. This
lesson can be done at any time, but preferably at the start of the year, before
students begin crafting their own writing.
Materials: Handout 1
Handout 2
Overhead
Dictionaries
Time Required: 15-20 minutes
Objectives: 6.01 Using subject-verb agreement and verb tense that are
appropriate for the meaning of the sentence (Competency Goal 6
Grammar/Language Use)
Script: "'The difference between the right word and the nearly right
word is the same as that between lightning and the lightning bug.' Mark Twain
once said this, and boy was he right! Today we are going to talk about how
important it really is to use the right word, specifically the right verb, in a
sentence. How many of you ladies like to say 'I'm going to lay out in
the sun today?' Well this morning we are going to find out that lay is not the
correct verb at all; instead, we ladies lie out in the sun.

First of all, let's talk about verbs. Can anyone tell me the
definition? (Call on students from class). Good. A verb asserts something about
the subject, expressing action, events, or a state of being. Often the
verb is the most important part of the sentence; without it, there would be nothing
happening. So that is why it is important that we use the correct verb
in a sentence.


A few of you have a dictionary on your desk. I am going to put
you into groups of three and each group will be given a short list of words to
look up in the dictionary. This should only take five minutes. Then we are
going to come back together and write the definitions of the words on the
overhead. You will not need to write them down. I will be giving you a handout
on them later. (Break class into groups. Five minutes later, come back
together. Ask for volunteers to give definitions; write on overhead).

Now that we know the definitions of these verbs, you are going to
try your hand at using the correct one in the sentence. (Pass out
handout). This handout I am giving you has ten sentences on it. There are two verbs
to choose from; circle the one you think is correct. We will go over them
together as a class. (Run through list of sentences as a class. Students refer to
the definitions on the overhead to help them decide which verbs are
correct).


Good job. So now you know the definition of verbs and have used
them in actual sentences. I am giving you a handout now that needs to stay in
your three-ring binder. This handout has all the verbs we covered as well
as examples of them in sentences. Make sure and refer to this handout
when you are doing assignments to help you decide which verb to use. I am also
handing out the short stories we worked on last week. I have circled any verbs in
purple that you have misused. For homework, I would like you to use what you
have learned today and change these verbs into the correct ones."
Website: www.troublesome_verbs.html