sit, set; lie, lay; rise; raise

1. sit, set; lie, lay; rise; raise

2. Some verbs have related but different meanings.

3. Lay means “to put” or “to place” Present Past Past Participle lay laid laid • The following sentences use a form of lay correctly: I always lay the towels on the shelf.I laid the towels on the shelf yesterday.I have laid the towels on the shelf daily. • Lie means “to recline” or “to rest” Present Past Past Participle lie lay lain • The following sentences use a form of lie correctly: At this moment, the towels lie on the shelf.The towels lay on the shelf yesterday.The towels have lain on the shelf every day.

4. Sit means “to be seated” or “to be located” Present Past Past Participle sit sat sat • The following sentences use a form of sit correctly: Right now, the pan sits on the counter.The pan sat on the counter yesterday.The pan has sat there for six years. • Set means “to place” Present Past Past Participle set set set • The following sentences use a form of set correctly: I usually set the pan on the table.I set the pan on the table yesterday.I have set the pan there for years.

5. Rise means “to get up” or “to increase” Present Past Past Participle rise rose risen • The following sentences use a form of rise correctly: • I rise at 6 a.m. every day.I rose at 6 a.m. yesterday.I have risen at 6 a.m. for many years. • Raise means “to lift” or “to bring up” Present Past Past Participle raise raised raised • The following sentences use a form of raise correctly: • I raise the flag every morning.I raised the flag yesterday.I have often raised the flag at sunrise.

6. sit, set; lie, lay; rise; raise • To decide which verb to use, ask yourself what the subject is doing. If the subject is placing a object somewhere, use set or lay. • If the subject is resting use sit or lie. • To decide whether to use rise or raise, ask yourself, raise what? If you answer names something use raise. If the question has no answer use rise.