Troublesome verbs : Raise / Rise , Set / Sit . Lay / Lie

Troublesome verbs : Raise / Rise , Set / Sit . Lay / Lie

Transitive intransitive

a. Raise , raised , raised b. rise , rose , risen

Tom raised his hand the sun rises in the east

c. Set, set , set d. sit , sat , sat

I will set the book on the desk I sit in the front row

e. Lay , laid , laid f. lie** , lay , lain

I am laying the book on the desk he is laying on his bed

Note : raise , set and lay are transitive verbs; they are followed by an object. Rise , sit and lie are intransitive; i.e. they are not followed by an object

In (a): raised is followed by the object hand

In (b): rises is not followed by an object

Lay and lie are troublesome for native speakers too are frequently misused.

** lie is a regular verb ( lie , lied ) when it means “ not tell the truth “ : he lied to me about his age

Exercise : Troublesome verbs

Directions : Choose the correct word in parentheses.

1. the student ( raised , rose ) his hand in class

2. Hot air ( raises , rises )

3. Ann ( set , sat ) in a chair because she was tired

4. I ( set , sat ) your dictionary on the table a few minutes ago

5. Hens ( lye , lie ) eggs

6. Sara is ( laying , lying ) on the grass in the park right now

7. Jan ( laid , lay ) the comb on top of the dresser a few minutes ago

8. If you are tired , you should ( lay , lie ) down and take a nap

9. San francisco ( lay , lies ) to the north of Los Angeles

10. Mr. Faust ( raises , rises ) many different kinds of flowers in his garden

11. The student ( raised , rose ) from her seat and walked to the front of the auditorium to receive her diploma

12. Hiroki is a very methodical person. Every night before going to bed , he ( lyes , lies ) his clothes for the next day on his chair

13. Where are my keys ? I ( lay , laid ) them here on the desk five minutes ago

14. Fred ( set , sat ) the table for dinner

15. Fred ( set , sat ) at the table for dinner

16. The fulfillment of all your dreams ( lies , lays ) within you - if you just believe in yourself.