Troublesome Verb Pairs

Lie- to rest or recline

Lay-to put or place something somewhere

Ex: She lies down to rest if she becomes tired.

Ex: She lays the papers down on the table.

Present-Lie

Past- lay

Past Participle-has or have lain.

Present- lay

Past-laid

Past Participle-has or have laid

Sit- to be in a seat or to rest

Set- to put or place something

Ex: I sit in the same desk every period. Ex: I set the books on the table.

Present- sit

Past- sat

Past Participle-has or have sat

Present – set/s

Past- set

Past Participle- has or have set

Rise-to move upward; to get up

Raise- to lift something up

Ex: We rise early, usually before 8 a.m. Ex: Please raise the couch so that I can

vacuum under it.

Present- rise

Past- Rose

Past Participle-have or has risen

Present- raise

Past- raised

Past Participle- has or have raised

May- asking permission to do something

Can- able to do something; ability

Ex: May I carry your lunch for you? EX: Can those tiny girls lift those heavy

boxes?

He (lay, laid) down for a nap.

The cat (sits, sets) in the window.

We (raised, rose) early that morning.

Rover (has lain, has laid) there all day.

The books are so heavy that she (has set, has sit) them down.

(Can, May) I help you clean your room?