UsingLie/Lay

*Laymeans “to put” or “to place” and usually takes a direct object.

Present Present Participle / Past / Past Participle
lay [is] laying / laid / [have] laid

The following sentences use a form oflaycorrectly:

I always lay the towels on the shelf.

Heis layingthe towels on the shelf.
I laid the towels on the shelf yesterday.
I have laid the towels on the shelf daily.

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*Liemeans “to recline” or “to rest” and does not take a direct object.

Present Present Participle / Past / Past Participle
Lie [is] lying / lay / [have] lain

The following sentences use a form ofliecorrectly:

At this moment, the towels lie on the shelf.

The towel is lying on the shelf.
The towels lay on the shelf yesterday.
The towels have lain on the shelf every day.

UsingSit/Set

*Sitmeans “to be seated” or “to be located” and rarely takes a direct object.

Present Present Participle / Past / Past Participle
sit [is] sitting / sat / [have] sat

The following sentences use a form ofsitcorrectly:

Right now, the panssit on the counter.

The pan is sitting on the counter.
The pan sat on the counter yesterday.
The pans have sat there for six years.

______

*Setmeans “to place” and usually takes a direct object.

Present Present Participle / Past / Past Participle
set [is] setting / set / [have] set

The following sentences use a form ofsetcorrectly:

I usually set the pan on the table.

He is setting the pan on the table.
I set the pan on the table yesterday.
I have set the pan there for years.

Using Rise/Raise

*Risemeans “to get up” or “to increase” and does not take a direct object.

Present Present Participle / Past / Past Participle
rise [is] rising / rose / [have] risen

The following sentences use a form ofrisecorrectly:

I rise at 6 a.m. every day.

He is rising at 6 a.m. every morning.
I rose at 6 a.m. yesterday.
I have risen at 6 a.m. for many years.

______

*Raisemeans “to lift” or “to bring up” and usually takes a direct object.

Present Present Participle / Past / Past Participle
raise [is] raising / raised / [have] raised

The following sentences use a form ofraisecorrectly:

I raise the flag every morning.

She is raising the flag every morning.
I raised the flag yesterday.
I have often raised the flag at sunrise.