Learn on PengiElements of Language, 2nd CourseChapter 9: Using Verbs Correctly: Principal Parts, Regular and Irregular Verbs, Tense, Voice

Lesson 3: Sit and Set, Rise and Raise, Lie and Lay

In this Grade 5 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 2nd Course, students learn to correctly use three commonly confused verb pairs: sit and set, rise and raise, and lie and lay. The lesson explains that one verb in each pair takes a direct object while the other does not, and provides a practical substitution tip using the word "put" to help choose the right verb. Students practice applying these distinctions through exercises covering various sentence contexts and verb tenses.

Section 1

Sit and Set

Definition

The verb sit means "to be seated" or "to rest." The verb set usually means "to place (something somewhere)" or "to put (something somewhere)."

Explanation

Think of it this way: you sit down, but you set something down. Sit is what a person or animal does to rest. Set is an action you do to an object. A great trick is to try swapping the verb with 'put'. If 'put' makes sense, you probably need to use set!

Examples

  • The puppy will sit by the door and wait for you. [Sit means to be seated and has no object.]
  • Did you set the alarm for 6:00 AM? [Set means to place and has an object, alarm.]

Section 2

Rise and Raise

Definition

The verb rise means "to move upward" or "to go up." The verb raise usually means "to lift something up."

Explanation

Here's the difference: things rise all by themselves, like the sun or a balloon. But you raise something else. Rise doesn't act on anything, so it doesn't need an object. Raise needs an object because you have to lift something.

Examples

  • The bread dough will rise in a warm spot. [Rise means to go up and does not have an object.]
  • Please raise the window shades to let in some light. [Raise means to lift and takes an object, window shades.]
  • The students will rise when the principal enters the room. [The verb has no object, so rise is correct.]

Section 3

Lie and Lay

Definition

The verb lie usually means "to recline," "to be in a place," or "to remain lying down." The verb lay usually means "to put (something) down" or "to place (something somewhere)."

Explanation

This pair is tricky! Lie is for resting or reclining, like when you lie down for a nap. Lay is for placing an object somewhere, like when you lay a book on a table. Remember the 'put' trick: if you can say 'put' instead, you should use lay.

Examples

  • Our cat loves to lie in the sunny patch on the rug. [Lie means to recline and has no object.]
  • Please lay the plates on the dinner table. [Lay means to place and has an object.]

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Chapter 9: Using Verbs Correctly: Principal Parts, Regular and Irregular Verbs, Tense, Voice

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    Lesson 1: Regular and Irregular Verbs

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    Lesson 2: Tense

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    Lesson 3: Sit and Set, Rise and Raise, Lie and Lay

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Section 1

Sit and Set

Definition

The verb sit means "to be seated" or "to rest." The verb set usually means "to place (something somewhere)" or "to put (something somewhere)."

Explanation

Think of it this way: you sit down, but you set something down. Sit is what a person or animal does to rest. Set is an action you do to an object. A great trick is to try swapping the verb with 'put'. If 'put' makes sense, you probably need to use set!

Examples

  • The puppy will sit by the door and wait for you. [Sit means to be seated and has no object.]
  • Did you set the alarm for 6:00 AM? [Set means to place and has an object, alarm.]

Section 2

Rise and Raise

Definition

The verb rise means "to move upward" or "to go up." The verb raise usually means "to lift something up."

Explanation

Here's the difference: things rise all by themselves, like the sun or a balloon. But you raise something else. Rise doesn't act on anything, so it doesn't need an object. Raise needs an object because you have to lift something.

Examples

  • The bread dough will rise in a warm spot. [Rise means to go up and does not have an object.]
  • Please raise the window shades to let in some light. [Raise means to lift and takes an object, window shades.]
  • The students will rise when the principal enters the room. [The verb has no object, so rise is correct.]

Section 3

Lie and Lay

Definition

The verb lie usually means "to recline," "to be in a place," or "to remain lying down." The verb lay usually means "to put (something) down" or "to place (something somewhere)."

Explanation

This pair is tricky! Lie is for resting or reclining, like when you lie down for a nap. Lay is for placing an object somewhere, like when you lay a book on a table. Remember the 'put' trick: if you can say 'put' instead, you should use lay.

Examples

  • Our cat loves to lie in the sunny patch on the rug. [Lie means to recline and has no object.]
  • Please lay the plates on the dinner table. [Lay means to place and has an object.]

Book overview

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

Continue this chapter

Chapter 9: Using Verbs Correctly: Principal Parts, Regular and Irregular Verbs, Tense, Voice

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Regular and Irregular Verbs

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Tense

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  3. Lesson 3Current

    Lesson 3: Sit and Set, Rise and Raise, Lie and Lay

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