Learn on PengiElements of Language, 5th CourseChapter 8: Using Verbs Correctly: Principal Parts, Tense, Voice, Mood

Lesson 2: Troublesome Verbs: Sit, Set, Rise, Raise, Lie, Lay

In this Grade 8 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 5th Course, students learn to correctly use six commonly confused verb pairs: sit and set, rise and raise, and lie and lay. The lesson explains how each pair differs in meaning and whether it takes a direct object, covering all principal parts such as sat, set, rose, raised, lay, laid, and lain. Practice exercises reinforce proper usage in context so students can confidently distinguish these troublesome verbs in their own writing.

Section 1

Sit and Set

Definition

The verb sit means "to be in a seated, upright position" or "to be in a place." Sit seldom takes an object. The verb set means "to put [something] in a place." Set usually takes an object.

Explanation

Think of it this way: you sit down, but you set something down. The verb sit is about being in a position yourself and rarely needs an object. The verb set is an action that means to place something, so it almost always has an object—the thing you are placing!

Examples

  • My backpack is sitting by the door, so I am setting my lunch on the table. [Is sitting has no object. Am setting has an object, lunch.]
  • The cat sat on the warm rug and set her toy mouse beside her. [Sat does not have an object. Set has an object, mouse.]
  • Has the student sat down after the teacher set the test on his desk? [Has sat does not have an object. Set has an object, test.]

Section 2

Rise and Raise

Definition

The verb rise means "to go up" or "to get up." Rise does not take an object. The verb raise means "to lift up" or "to cause [something] to rise." Raise usually takes an object.

Explanation

Here's a simple trick: things rise on their own (like the sun or bread dough), but you raise something else (like your hand or a flag). Rise describes movement upward and doesn't need an object. Raise is the action of lifting something up and needs an object—the thing being lifted.

Examples

  • The steam is rising from the pot, and Dad is raising the lid. [Is rising does not have an object. Is raising has an object, lid.]
  • The student rose to speak and raised his hand. [Rose does not have an object. Raised has an object, hand.]
  • The water level has risen in the river, so the town has raised the flood barriers. [Has risen does not have an object. Has raised has an object, barriers.]

Section 3

Lie and Lay

Definition

The verb lie means "to rest," "to recline," or "to be in a place." Lie does not take an object. The verb lay means "to put [something] in a place." Lay generally takes an object.

Explanation

This pair is tricky! Remember that you lie down to rest, but you lay something down. The verb lie is for reclining or being in a certain spot, and it never takes an object. The verb lay is for placing an item, so it almost always needs an object—the item you are placing.

Examples

  • He is laying the blanket on the grass where his dog is lying. [Is laying has an object, blanket. Is lying does not have an object.]
  • Can I lay my phone on the table and then lie on the couch? [Lay has an object, phone. Lie has no object.]
  • The dog has laid his bone near the spot where he has often lain. [Has laid has an object, bone. Has lain does not have an object.]

Book overview

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Chapter 8: Using Verbs Correctly: Principal Parts, Tense, Voice, Mood

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Principal Parts of Verbs

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  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: Troublesome Verbs: Sit, Set, Rise, Raise, Lie, Lay

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Tense

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Progressive Forms of Verbs

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: The Uses and Consistency of Tenses

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  6. Lesson 6

    Lesson 6: Active Voice and Passive Voice

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

Sit and Set

Definition

The verb sit means "to be in a seated, upright position" or "to be in a place." Sit seldom takes an object. The verb set means "to put [something] in a place." Set usually takes an object.

Explanation

Think of it this way: you sit down, but you set something down. The verb sit is about being in a position yourself and rarely needs an object. The verb set is an action that means to place something, so it almost always has an object—the thing you are placing!

Examples

  • My backpack is sitting by the door, so I am setting my lunch on the table. [Is sitting has no object. Am setting has an object, lunch.]
  • The cat sat on the warm rug and set her toy mouse beside her. [Sat does not have an object. Set has an object, mouse.]
  • Has the student sat down after the teacher set the test on his desk? [Has sat does not have an object. Set has an object, test.]

Section 2

Rise and Raise

Definition

The verb rise means "to go up" or "to get up." Rise does not take an object. The verb raise means "to lift up" or "to cause [something] to rise." Raise usually takes an object.

Explanation

Here's a simple trick: things rise on their own (like the sun or bread dough), but you raise something else (like your hand or a flag). Rise describes movement upward and doesn't need an object. Raise is the action of lifting something up and needs an object—the thing being lifted.

Examples

  • The steam is rising from the pot, and Dad is raising the lid. [Is rising does not have an object. Is raising has an object, lid.]
  • The student rose to speak and raised his hand. [Rose does not have an object. Raised has an object, hand.]
  • The water level has risen in the river, so the town has raised the flood barriers. [Has risen does not have an object. Has raised has an object, barriers.]

Section 3

Lie and Lay

Definition

The verb lie means "to rest," "to recline," or "to be in a place." Lie does not take an object. The verb lay means "to put [something] in a place." Lay generally takes an object.

Explanation

This pair is tricky! Remember that you lie down to rest, but you lay something down. The verb lie is for reclining or being in a certain spot, and it never takes an object. The verb lay is for placing an item, so it almost always needs an object—the item you are placing.

Examples

  • He is laying the blanket on the grass where his dog is lying. [Is laying has an object, blanket. Is lying does not have an object.]
  • Can I lay my phone on the table and then lie on the couch? [Lay has an object, phone. Lie has no object.]
  • The dog has laid his bone near the spot where he has often lain. [Has laid has an object, bone. Has lain does not have an object.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 8: Using Verbs Correctly: Principal Parts, Tense, Voice, Mood

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Principal Parts of Verbs

    LearnPractice
  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: Troublesome Verbs: Sit, Set, Rise, Raise, Lie, Lay

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Tense

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Progressive Forms of Verbs

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: The Uses and Consistency of Tenses

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  6. Lesson 6

    Lesson 6: Active Voice and Passive Voice

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