* Difficult to conjugate: This could be because it has irregular forms (like "go," "went," "gone"), or because its conjugation follows complex rules (like "to be").
* Difficult to understand: Some verbs might have multiple meanings or be used in complex idiomatic expressions.
* Difficult to use correctly: Some verbs are easily confused with similar-sounding words, or might require specific prepositions or other grammatical structures.
Examples of verbs that might be considered troublesome:
* Lie vs. Lay: "Lie" means to recline, while "lay" means to place something down. They have different conjugations.
* Affect vs. Effect: "Affect" is a verb meaning "to influence," while "effect" can be a noun meaning "result" or a verb meaning "to bring about."
* Raise vs. Rise: "Raise" means to lift something, while "rise" means to go upward.
* To be: The verb "to be" has many forms ("am," "is," "are," "was," "were," "been," etc.) and can be used in various ways, making it challenging for learners.
In essence, a "troublesome verb" is any verb that presents a challenge for language learners or writers.