Lesson 2: Understanding

The English Sentence

Bruce Clary, McPherson College, McPherson, Kansas

CM305 EDITING FALL 2015

Troublesome Verb Pairs

Most English verbs can be used as either transitive
or intransitive verbs. However, three pairs of
particularly troublesome verbs can be used in only
one way. But you already know the key to using
them correctly! The trick lies in knowing which way
they are being used transitively or intransitively.

CM305 EDITING FALL 2015

Forms of Lie/Lay, Sit/Sat, Rise/Raise

Intransitive (No direct object)
Present
Pres. Part. Past
lie (recline) lying
lay
sit (rest)
sitting
sat
rise
rising
rose
Transitive
lay
laying
laid
set
setting
set
raise
raising
raised

Past Part.
(has) lain
(have) sat
(has) risen
have laid
(had) set
(has) raised

CM305 EDITING FALL 2015

Sit/Set
To sit is the intransitive form. To set is the transitive.
Jd. sits / sets cross-legged on stage when he directs.
We sat / set the books on the desk.
Grandpa has been sitting / setting for hours.
Mom sat / set the groceries down.

CM305 EDITING FALL 2015

Rise/Raise
To rise is the intransitive form; to raise is the transitive.
Polite students rise / raise their hands to ask questions.
The lagoon rose / raised after the rain fell.
The heavy rain rose / raised the water level in the lake.
The dough has risen / raised sufficiently.

CM305 EDITING FALL 2015

Lie/Lay
To lie is the intransitive form; to lay is the transitive.
The girls lay / laid on beach towels on the lawn.
The girls lay / laid out the silverware on the table.
It seemed he had laid / lain in bed for hours.
His keys were lying / laying on the dresser.