VERBS OF SIMILAR FORM

191. Do not use one verb for another of similar form but different meaning. The following are the most common of these:

Lay (incomplete verb, requires an object) meaning to place or to put; as, to lay the book down. Principal parts: Present, lay; Past, laid; Past participle, laid.

Lie (complete verb, takes no object) meaning to recline, to rest; as, to lie in bed. Principal parts: Present, lie; Past, lay; Past participle, lain.

Set (incomplete verb, requires an object) meaning to place or to put; as, to set the table. Principal parts: Present, set; Past, set; Past participle, set.

Sit (complete verb, takes no object) meaning to rest, as, to sit in a chair. Principal parts: Present, sit; Past, sat; Past participle, sat.

Raise (incomplete verb, requires an object) meaning to cause to rise, to lift up. Principal parts: Present, raise; Past, raised; Past participle, raised.

Rise (complete verb, takes no object) meaning to get up, to ascend. Principal parts: Present, rise; Past, rose; Past participle, risen.

192. NOTE—These three verbs need an object to complete their meaning:

PresentPastPast Participle
setsetset
laylaidlaid
raiseraisedraised

193. NOTE—These three verbs need no object:

PresentPastPast Participle
sitsatsat
lielaylain
riseroserisen

Exercise 4

Fill in the following blanks with the correct form of the verbs sit, set, lay, lie, raise and rise:

  1. I......it on the table and there it.......
  2. They......the battle ship, Maine.
  3. Where did you......it?
  4. A mile of pipe has been.......
  5. The miners......a large strike fund.
  6. She......down to sleep.
  7. The body......in state three days.
  8. The farmers of the U. S.......an enormous wheat crop.
  9. The city......on the right bank.
  10. We have......the corner stone.
  11. When wages are......, prices are......too.
  12. He......in bed all morning.
  13. ......down Fido.
  14. The sun......at six this morning.
  15. She has been......there all day.
  16. The ship......to during the storm.
  17. They have been......new tracks.
  18. The hen is......on the eggs.
  19. Somebody said, "Early to bed and early to......, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."
  20. He......motionless for an hour.
  21. He......out the trees in rows.
  22. He will......in his position.
  23. The court will......in May.
  24. Where did he......?
  25. She......the table while he......there.
  26. He......the clock for six o'clock.
  27. The water has......two feet since the rain.
  28. He......the book down and......on it.
  29. The hen has been......a week.
  30. ......it on the table.
  31. He......in the shade and watched her......the plants.