Using Lie/Lay, Sit/Set, and Rise/Raise

Even experienced writers often must stop to think about the differences in the meanings of these verbs. Study the forms of these verbs and practice using them correctly.

Lay means “to put” or “to place.”

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.”

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.

Sit means “to be seated” or “to be located.”

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.”

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.

Rise means “to get up” or “to increase.”

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.”

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.

Click the correct sentence. I set on a hard chair waiting for my interview. I sat on a hard chair waiting for my interview.