Commonly Confused Verbs
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Summary:
This handout contains a list and discussion of common irregular verbs.
LIE versus LAY
| Present | Past | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| lie, lying (to tell a falsehood) | I lied to my mother. | I have lied under oath. |
| lie, lying (to recline) | I lay on the bed because I was tired. | He has lain in the grass. |
| lay, laying (to put, place) | I laid the baby in her cradle. | We have laid the dishes on the table. |
Example sentences:
After laying down his weapon, the soldier lay down to sleep.
Will you lay out my clothes while I lie down to rest?
SIT versus SET
| Present | Past | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| sit (to be seated or come to resting position) | I sat in my favorite chair. | You have sat there for three hours. |
| set (to put or place) | I set my glass on the table. | She has set her books on my desk again. |
Example sentences:
Let's set the table before we sit down to rest.
RISE versus RAISE
| Present | Past | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| rise (steady or customary upward movement) | The balloon rose into the air. | He has risen to a position of power. |
| raise (to cause to rise) | They raised their hands because they knew the answer. | I have raised the curtain many times. |
Example sentences:
The boy raised the flag just before the sun rose.