PROBLEM VERBS

Verbs lie/lay, rise/raise, and sit/set cause problems even for English speakers. The solution to the problem is to remember verbs are transitive (verbs that take a complement) and are intransitive (verbs that don't take a complement).

intransitive
rise rose risen rising
lie lay lain lying
sit sat sat sitting

transitive
raise raised raised raising
lay laid laid laying
set set set setting



RISE

This verbs means to get up, move up under one's power (without the help of someone else), increase. Notice that there is no complement.
Example: The sun rises early in the summer.

RAISE

The verb means to lift or elevate an object;or to increase something. It nust have a complement.
Example: The students raise their hands in class.

LIE

This verb means to rest or to be situated in a place. It is often used with the preposition down.
Example: The university lies in the western section of town.

LAY

This verb means to put somebody or something on a surface.
Example: Don't lay your clothes on the bed.

SIT

This verbs means to take a seat. It also often used with the preposition down.
Example: We are going to sit in the fifth row at the opera.

SET
This verb means to put somebody or something on a surface or in a place. It is often interchangeable with lay or put except in certain idiomatic expression like set the table.
Example: The girl helps her father set the table every night.