Problem of the right form verbs

The verbs lie/lay, rise/raise, and site/set cause problems even for native English speakers. The solutions to the problem is to remember which verbs are transitive (verb that take a complement) and which are intransitive (verbs that do not take a complement).

Transitive verbs

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

Intransitive verbs

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

Rise verb of the sentence

This verb means to get up, move up under one's own power (without the help of someone else), increase. Notice that there is no complement.

•  The sun rises early in the summer.
• When the bell rings, the students rise from their seats.
• When oil and water mix, oil rises to the top.
• Jim rose early so that he could play golf before the others.
• It must be late; the moon has risen.
• Prices have risen more than ten percent in a very short time.

Raise verbs of the sentence

The verb means to lift or elevate an object: or to increase something. It must have a complement.

• The students raise their hands (complement) in class. 
• The weightlifter raises the barbells(complement) over his head.
• The crane raise the car(complement) out of the lake.
• After studying very hard, John raised his grades (complement)substantially. 
• Mr. Daniels has raised his tenants' rent (complement) another fifteen dollars.

Lie verb of the sentence

This verb means to rest, repose, or to be situated in a place. It is often used with the preposition down. Note: This verb should not be confused with the verb lie, lied, which means to say something that is not true.

Examples of lie verb:

• The university lies in the western section of town.
• If the children are tired, they should lie down for a nap.
• Maria Elena lay on the beach for three hours yesterday sunbathing. 
• The old dog just lay on the grass watching the children at play.
• That old rug had lain in the corner for many years before it was put in the garage.

Lay verb of the sentence

• This verb means to put somebody or something on a surface.
• Don't lay your clothes(complement) on the bed.
• The boy lays his books(complement) on the table every day.
• The enemy soldiers laid down their weapons(complement) and surrendered.
• The children laid their toys(complement) on the floor when they had finished using them.
• The nurse laid the body(complement) in the crib.

Sit verb of the sentence

This verb means to take a seat. It is also often used with the preposition down.

For example:

• We are going to sit in the fifth row at the Google.
• Bullfight fans sit in the shade because it is cool.
• Because the weather was nice, we sat on the patio.
• After swimming, Bob sat on the beach to dry off.
• Nobody has sat through as many boring lectures as Pete has.
• They have sat in the same position for two hours.

Set verb of the sentence

This verb means to put somebody or something on a surface or in a place. I is often interchangeable with lay or put except in certain idiomatic expressions like set the table.

• The little girl helps her father set the table(complement) every night.
• The carpenters set their tools(complement) in the box at noon and go to luch.
• The botanist set her plants(complement) in the sun so that they would grow.
• After carrying her son from the car, the mother set him(complement) in his crib.
• Don't set the chocolate(complement) near the oven or it will melt.

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