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Review: Frequently Confused Verbs, Answer 7.1

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Question:
While they were lying the new linoleum, the men listened to rap music.
Answer:
The answer correctly formed compound verb is not correct.
Explanation:
The compound verb were lying is intransitive, but the sentence describes the act of placing the linoleum on the floor. Thus, the correct answer is were laying.


© Department of English, Faculty of Arts, University of Ottawa, 2024

Date Modified: 2015-10-15

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