Grammar and Language Workbook

Unit 10, Usage Glossary 201

Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

Usage

Lesson 60

Usage: in to learn

in, into In means “inside.” Into indicates an action toward the inside.

The pie was baking in the oven. The batter hit the ball into the outfield.

its,it’s Its is the possessive form of it. It’s is the contraction of it is.

The cat licked its paws after eating. It’s a good idea to exercise.

lay,lie Lay means “to place.” Lie means “to recline.”

I always lay my jacket on the chair. The doctor told the patient to lie on the cot.

learn, teach Learn means to “to gain knowledge.” Teach means “to give

knowledge.”

We learned a new Spanish word. Edward teaches his brother basketball plays.

Exercise 1 Underline the word in parentheses that best completes each sentence.

(Its, It’s) not often that we see a raccoon in our backyard.

1. Our cat likes to (lay, lie) on the windowsill and look outside.


2. Ellen slowly poured the milk (in, into) a glass.


3. The dog wagged (its, it’s) tail when I scratched its ears.


4. Tomorrow our teacher will (learn, teach) us about the layers of Earth’s crust.


5. Miyoki is putting the cookie dough (in, into) the oven.


6. (Its, It’s) important to get a good education.


7. Because I’ve never used a printer before, I asked Mrs. Vega to (learn, teach) me how.


8. (Lay, Lie) your pencils down after finishing the quiz.


9. My mom keeps a big old trunk (in, into) our basement.


10. The cheetah was (laying, lying) in the cool grass.


11. Children can (learn, teach) to swim at a very young age.


12. The monkey scratched (its, it’s) stomach and screeched with pleasure.


13. Mark began to (lay, lie) the dishes on the counter.