Mastering Sit vs. Set: Understanding the Difference
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Troublesome Words
Sit and Set
Sit
Sit
means “
means “
to take a seat or sit down
to take a seat or sit down
.”
.”
I want to sit here a while and rest.
I want to sit here a while and rest.
Sit in the blue chair.
Sit in the blue chair.
Set
Set
means “
means “
to place something
to place something
.”
.”
Please set this blue chair in that corner.
Please set this blue chair in that corner.
Set the red cushion on the blue chair.
Set the red cushion on the blue chair.
Wrong
Wrong
Billy, why did you
Billy, why did you
sit
sit
your trap next
your trap next
to the front door where you knew
to the front door where you knew
Samie would get into it?
Samie would get into it?
Right
Right
Billy, why did you
Billy, why did you
set
set
your trap next
your trap next
to the front door where you knew
to the front door where you knew
Samie would get into it?
Samie would get into it?
Wrong
Wrong
For that, Billy, you must
For that, Billy, you must
set
set
in the
in the
corner for an hour and think about
corner for an hour and think about
poor, sad Samie.
poor, sad Samie.
Right
Right
For that, Billy, you must
For that, Billy, you must
sit
sit
in the
in the
corner for an hour and think about
corner for an hour and think about
poor, sad Samie.
poor, sad Samie.
I
I
sit
sit
on the chair.
on the chair.
I
I
set
set
my gun down.
my gun down.
Write
Write
sit
sit
or
or
set
set
to complete the
to complete the
sentence.
sentence.
Grandpa did not like to _____ in
Grandpa did not like to _____ in
this chair.
this chair.
Grandpa did not like to
Grandpa did not like to
sit
sit
in this
in this
chair.
chair.
I
I
sit
sit
on the chair.
on the chair.
I
I
set
set
my gun down.
my gun down.
Write
Write
sit
sit
or
or
set
set
to complete the
to complete the
sentence.
sentence.
Mama carefully ________ the
Mama carefully ________ the
lamp on the table.
lamp on the table.
Mama carefully
Mama carefully
set
set
the lamp on the
the lamp on the
table.
table.
I
I
sit
sit
on the chair.
on the chair.
I
I
set
set
my gun down.
my gun down.
Write
Write
sit
sit
or
or
set
set
to complete the
to complete the
sentence.
sentence.
Who ______ the lantern on this
Who ______ the lantern on this
table?
table?
Who
Who
set
set
the lantern on this table?
the lantern on this table?
I
I
sit
sit
on the chair.
on the chair.
I
I
set
set
my gun down.
my gun down.
Write
Write
sit
sit
or
or
set
set
to complete the
to complete the
sentence.
sentence.
Would you like to _______ here by
Would you like to _______ here by
the fire?
the fire?
Would you like to
Would you like to
sit
sit
here by the
here by the
fire?
fire?
Practice – Number your paper from
1 to 10. Write the correct answer
for each of the following items.
1. David carelessly (sit, set) the
pork chops on the table where
the dog could reach them, and it
did.
2. Papa (sit, set) his alarm for 5
A.M. so that he would not be late
delivering the mail.
3. The sun (sits, sets) in the west.
4. Grandpa was (sitting, setting) by
the warm fire.
5. The hunters (sit, set) their
raccoon pelts on Grandpa’s
counter in the general store.
6. Billy (sit, set) the bag of corn by
the door.
7. Grandpa was (sitting, setting) in
the rocking chair by the window.
8. Billy was going to (sit, set) down
by the red oak tree to wait on
Rubin and Rainie.
9. The wily old coon would (sit,
set) on the trail until Little Ann
and Old Dan came running in his
direction.
10. Billy knew the ghost coon could
not (sit, set) in his hiding place all
night long.
Lie and Lay
People lie on beds. Dogs lie on people. Fleas
lie on dogs. The people, the dogs, and the
fleas are very still. Lie is a still verb.
A person picks up a dog and lays it on a
blanket. A pair of tweezers picks a flea off
a dog and lays it outside. A hen lays an
egg. The person, the tweezers, and the
hen are very active. Lay is an active verb.
It implies that somebody is setting or
placing something somewhere.
Lie
Lie
(to lie down on a bed)
(to lie down on a bed)
lie, lay, lain, lying
lie, lay, lain, lying
Today I
Today I
lie
lie
in bed.
in bed.
Yesterday I
Yesterday I
lay
lay
in bed.
in bed.
Many times I have
Many times I have
lain
lain
in bed.
in bed.
Yesterday I was
Yesterday I was
lying
lying
in bed all day.
in bed all day.
Lying
Lying
in bed all day is boring.
in bed all day is boring.
Lay (to place something, to set
something down)
lay, laid, laid, laying
Today I
Today I
lay
lay
the book on the counter.
the book on the counter.
Yesterday I
Yesterday I
laid
laid
the book on the
the book on the
counter.
counter.
Many times I have
Many times I have
laid
laid
the book on the
the book on the
counter.
counter.
Yesterday I was
Yesterday I was
laying
laying
the book on
the book on
the counter when Mom came home.
the counter when Mom came home.
Laying
Laying
books on the kitchen counter is
books on the kitchen counter is
against the rules in my house.
against the rules in my house.
Americans use the words lie and
lay incorrectly so often that your
ear has trouble telling you which
is correct. Here are a few tips to
help you keep these words
straight.
Tip 1
Repeat this like a song.
lie, lay, lain, lie, lay, lain, lie, lay,
lain, lie, lay, lain,
Tip 2
Remember the verb lay works just
Remember the verb lay works just
like
like
to say
to say
and
and
to pay
to pay
. Those
. Those
verbs are irregular, but they aren’t
verbs are irregular, but they aren’t
confusing.
confusing.
Today I say that I pay; yesterday I
Today I say that I pay; yesterday I
said that I paid; many times I
said that I paid; many times I
have said that I have paid. To lay
have said that I have paid. To lay
works the same. Lay, laid, laid
works the same. Lay, laid, laid
Tip 3
Nobody says that hens lie eggs.
We all get that one correct: hens lay
eggs. Those hens are mighty busy!
Just visualize in your mind how active
and busy those hens are. Lay is an
active, busy word. When you’re doing
something active (laying down your
backpack, laying a new rug on the
floor), lay is the word you want.
Tip 4
Remember that
Remember that
lie
lie
is a quiet word.
is a quiet word.
Here’s a silly ditty you can use to
Here’s a silly ditty you can use to
remind yourself of that (notice all the
remind yourself of that (notice all the
“eye” sounds):
“eye” sounds):
At night, I turn out
At night, I turn out
my light and lie.
my light and lie.
Whether it’s on
Whether it’s on
you sofa, on your beach towel, or on
you sofa, on your beach towel, or on
your bed, if you are quietly reclining,
your bed, if you are quietly reclining,
you’re lying – never laying.
you’re lying – never laying.
Tip 5
Substitute the word
Substitute the word
place
place
or the word
or the word
put
put
.
.
If the sentence sounds right,
If the sentence sounds right,
lay
lay
is the
is the
word you want. If it doesn’t sound right,
word you want. If it doesn’t sound right,
lie is the word you want. Does it sound
lie is the word you want. Does it sound
right to say that you place the book on the
right to say that you place the book on the
table? Yes, so it’s correct to say that you
table? Yes, so it’s correct to say that you
lay the book on the table. Does it sound
lay the book on the table. Does it sound
right to say you place in your bed at
right to say you place in your bed at
night? No, so it’s correct to say that you lie
night? No, so it’s correct to say that you lie
in your bed at night.
in your bed at night.
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to
correctly complete the sentence.
correctly complete the sentence.
I will
I will
lie
lie
down and take a nap.
down and take a nap.
Mama will
Mama will
lay
lay
the bowl on the table.
the bowl on the table.
His little sister _______ the bowl of
milk beside Old Dan.
His little sister
His little sister
lays
lays
the bowl of
the bowl of
milk beside Old Dan.
milk beside Old Dan.
Mama asked if she might ____ on
the bed.
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to
correctly complete the sentence.
correctly complete the sentence.
I will
I will
lie
lie
down and take a nap.
down and take a nap.
Mama will
Mama will
lay
lay
the bowl on the table.
the bowl on the table.
Mama asked if she might
Mama asked if she might
lie
lie
on the
on the
bed.
bed.
Will you _______ down your trap
for a few minutes?
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to
correctly complete the sentence.
correctly complete the sentence.
I will
I will
lie
lie
down and take a nap.
down and take a nap.
Mama will
Mama will
lay
lay
the bowl on the table.
the bowl on the table.
Will you
Will you
lay
lay
down your trap for a
down your trap for a
few minutes?
few minutes?
Old Dan likes to ________ in the
sun.
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to
correctly complete the sentence.
correctly complete the sentence.
I will
I will
lie
lie
down and take a nap.
down and take a nap.
Mama will
Mama will
lay
lay
the bowl on the table.
the bowl on the table.
Old Dan likes to
Old Dan likes to
lie
lie
in the sun.
in the sun.
Why don't you _______ down for a
few minutes?
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to
correctly complete the sentence.
correctly complete the sentence.
I will
I will
lie
lie
down and take a nap.
down and take a nap.
Mama will
Mama will
lay
lay
the bowl on the table.
the bowl on the table.
Why don't you
Why don't you
lie
lie
down for a few
down for a few
minutes?
minutes?
Practice – Number your paper from
1 to 32. Write the correct answer
for each of the following items.
1. I will (lay, lie) a blanket out for
Billy to use when he washes his
hair.
2. You'll feel much better if you just
(lay, lie) down and rest for a
while.
3. Billy will (lay, lie) the trap down
next to the river.
4. Mama’s hens aren't (laying,
lying) any eggs this week.
5. The cat is (laying, lying) on the
rug, next to the chair.
6. Grandma (lays, lies) her
hairbrush on the dresser when
she finishes using it.
7. The four raccoons like to (lay, lie)
in the sun.
8. Everyday when Papa came home
he would (lay, lie) his jacket on
the sofa.
9. You've been (laying, lying) there
entirely too long. Get up!
10. The dogs have been (laying,
lying) on the porch waiting for
Billy.
11. He yelled at his dog, “(Lay, Lie)
down!"
12. The police officer told him to
(lay, lie) down his gun.
13. The cat will (lay, lie) its toy on
the doorsill.
14. He will (lay, lie) his hand over
his heart when he makes a vow.
15.
15.
Billy should (lay, lie) on the bed
if he is tired.
Review Lie
Review Lie
(to lie down on a bed)
(to lie down on a bed)
lie, lay, lain, lying
lie, lay, lain, lying
Today I
Today I
lie
lie
in bed.
in bed.
Yesterday I
Yesterday I
lay
lay
in bed.
in bed.
Many times I have
Many times I have
lain
lain
in bed.
in bed.
Yesterday I was
Yesterday I was
lying
lying
in bed all day.
in bed all day.
Lying
Lying
in bed all day is boring.
in bed all day is boring.
Additional Practice - Write
Additional Practice - Write
lie, lay,
lie, lay,
lain, lying
lain, lying
to correctly complete
to correctly complete
each of the sentences.
each of the sentences.
16. Billy __________ on the banks
of the Illinois River.
Lie, Lay, Lain, Lying
Lie, Lay, Lain, Lying
17. __________ down. You need to
take a rest.
lie, lay, lain, lying
lie, lay, lain, lying
18. I like to __________ on the
floor and watch the news.
lie, lay, lain, lying
lie, lay, lain, lying
19. Yesterday Billy __________ on
the sofa and read his magazine
about coon dogs.
lie, lay, lain, lying
lie, lay, lain, lying
20. Why does that cat do nothing
but __________ around all day?
lie, lay, lain, lying
lie, lay, lain, lying
21. That cat has __________ in the
sun all day.
lie, lay, lain, lying
lie, lay, lain, lying
22. What a lazy cat! She has
__________ here all day.
lie, lay, lain, lying
lie, lay, lain, lying
23. The children were so exhausted
after the playing on the slide they
just ______ on the benches.
lie, lay, lain, lying
lie, lay, lain, lying
24. Last night Billy _______ awake
in bed, thinking about coon dogs.
lie, lay, lain, lying
lie, lay, lain, lying
25. Do you plan to _________ on
the grass all day?
Review
Review
Lay (to place something, to
Lay (to place something, to
set something down)
set something down)
lay, laid, laid, laying
lay, laid, laid, laying
Today I
Today I
lay
lay
the book on the counter.
the book on the counter.
Yesterday I
Yesterday I
laid
laid
the book on the
the book on the
counter.
counter.
Many times I have
Many times I have
laid
laid
the book on the
the book on the
counter.
counter.
Yesterday I was
Yesterday I was
laying
laying
the book on
the book on
the counter when Mom came home.
the counter when Mom came home.
Laying
Laying
books on the kitchen counter is
books on the kitchen counter is
against the rules in my house.
against the rules in my house.
Write
Write
lay, laid, laid, laying
lay, laid, laid, laying
to
to
correctly complete each of the
correctly complete each of the
sentences.
sentences.
26. My chickens __________ 20
eggs yesterday.
lay, laid, laid, laying
lay, laid, laid, laying
27. The police officer told him to
________ down his gun.
lay, laid, laid, laying
lay, laid, laid, laying
28. Someone's books are
__________ on the doorsill.
lay(s) , laid, laid, laying
lay(s) , laid, laid, laying
29. The treasure _________ hidden
beneath the waves.
lay, laid, laid, laying
lay, laid, laid, laying
30. The gifts were ________ by the
fireplace.
lay, laid, laid, laying
lay, laid, laid, laying
31. Billy had ________ the squash
on the table.
lay(s), laid, laid, laying
lay(s), laid, laid, laying
32. Billy ________ a blanket on the
grass.
Leave or Let
Leave
Leave
means “
means “
to go away, depart, or set out”
to go away, depart, or set out”
or
or
“
“
to allow to remain
to allow to remain
.”
.”
What time should we
What time should we
leave
leave
for the fiddle
for the fiddle
contest?
contest?
If you
If you
leave
leave
Old Dan behind, he will just follow
Old Dan behind, he will just follow
us.
us.
Let
Let
means “
means “
to permit or consent
to permit or consent
.”
.”
I will
I will
let
let
you wear my new hat.
you wear my new hat.
Wrong
Wrong
Let
Let
him alone!
him alone!
Right
Right
Leave
Leave
him alone!
him alone!
(Allow him to remain alone.)
(Allow him to remain alone.)
Wrong
Wrong
Leave
Leave
me do it again.
me do it again.
Right
Right
Let
Let
me do it again.
me do it again.
(Permit me to do it.)
(Permit me to do it.)
The most common mistake is
whether to say:
Let it be. or
Leave it be.
Just remember the old Beatles
song to help you remember this.
I
I
let
let
Little Ann sleep in the house.
Little Ann sleep in the house.
I had to
I had to
leave
leave
Old Dan outside
Old Dan outside
.
.
I
I
permitted
permitted
Little Ann sleep in the house.
Little Ann sleep in the house.
I had
I had
to allow
to allow
Old Dan
Old Dan
to remain
to remain
outside.
outside.
OR
OR
Old Dan had to
Old Dan had to
leave
leave
the porch.
the porch.
Old Dan had
Old Dan had
to depart
to depart
the porch.
the porch.
Write
Write
let
let
or
or
leave
leave
to complete the
to complete the
sentence.
sentence.
___________it sitting on the stove.
___________it sitting on the stove.
Leave
Leave
it sitting on the stove.
it sitting on the stove.
Allow it to remain on the stove.
Allow it to remain on the stove.
I
I
let
let
Little Ann sleep in the house.
Little Ann sleep in the house.
I had to
I had to
leave
leave
Old Dan outside
Old Dan outside
.
.
I
I
permitted
permitted
Little Ann sleep in the house.
Little Ann sleep in the house.
I had
I had
to allow
to allow
Old Dan
Old Dan
to remain
to remain
outside.
outside.
OR
OR
Old Dan had to
Old Dan had to
leave
leave
the porch.
the porch.
Old Dan had
Old Dan had
to depart
to depart
the porch..
the porch..
Write
Write
lets
lets
or
or
leaves
leaves
to complete the
to complete the
sentence.
sentence.
My mom ___________ me stay up until
My mom ___________ me stay up until
9:00.
9:00.
My mom
My mom
lets
lets
me stay up until
me stay up until
9:00.
9:00.
My mom
My mom
permits
permits
me stay up until
me stay up until
9:00.
9:00.
I
I
let
let
Little Ann sleep in the house.
Little Ann sleep in the house.
I had to
I had to
leave
leave
Old Dan outside
Old Dan outside
.
.
I
I
permitted
permitted
Little Ann sleep in the house.
Little Ann sleep in the house.
I had
I had
to allow
to allow
Old Dan
Old Dan
to remain
to remain
outside.
outside.
OR
OR
Old Dan had to
Old Dan had to
leave
leave
the porch.
the porch.
Old Dan had
Old Dan had
to depart
to depart
the porch.
the porch.
Write
Write
lets
lets
or
or
leaves
leaves
to complete
to complete
the sentence.
the sentence.
Billy _________ his books on the
Billy _________ his books on the
table.
table.
Billy
Billy
leaves
leaves
his books on the table.
his books on the table.
Billy allows his books to remain on
Billy allows his books to remain on
the table.
the table.
I
I
let
let
Little Ann sleep in the house.
Little Ann sleep in the house.
I had to leave Old Dan outside
I had to leave Old Dan outside
.
.
I
I
allowed
allowed
Little Ann sleep in the house.
Little Ann sleep in the house.
I had
I had
to allow
to allow
Old Dan
Old Dan
to remain
to remain
outside.
outside.
Write
Write
let
let
or
or
leave
leave
to complete the
to complete the
sentence.
sentence.
We __________ the room together.
We __________ the room together.
We
We
leave
leave
the room together.
the room together.
We depart the room together.
We depart the room together.
Practice – Number your paper from
1 to 10. Write the correct answer
for each of the following items.
1. (
1. (
Let, Leave)
me help you with
that.
2.
2.
Dad will
(
(
let, leave)
the pie on
the counter for Billy.
3.
3.
I will
(
(
let, leave)
you alone until
you feel better.
4.
4.
Grandpa will
(
(
let, leave)
Billy be
by himself for a while.
5. (
5. (
Let, Leave) your little brother
alone.
6. (
6. (
Let, Leave) him be.
7. Although
7. Although
Billy was the master, he
often
(
(
let, leave) Old Dan and
Little Ann have their way.
8.
8.
Grandpa often said, “
(
(
Let,
Leave) me tell you what Old Dan
and Little Ann did today.”
9.
9.
By the end of the day, Billy will
(
(
let, leave)
you with an answer to
that question.
10.
10.
Someday you must
(
(
let, leave)
me tell you the story of Old Dan
and Little Ann.
Teach and Learn
Teach
means “
to instruct, train, or
pass on knowledge
.”
Ms. Fletcher
teaches
her class how to read.
To
learn
something is “
to receive or be
given knowledge
.”
The students
The students
learn
learn
to read with the help of
to read with the help of
the teacher.
the teacher.
Think of it this way.
Many people can
teach
you
something they know how to do.
However, you are the one who
learns
how to do something new.
Wrong
I will
learn
you how to solve this math
problem.
Right
I will
teach
you how to solve this
math problem. I am sure you can
learn it.
Wrong
I will
teach
how to dance after a
series of lessons.
Right
I will
learn
how to dance after a
series of lessons.
Billy will
Billy will
teach
teach
the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will
the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will
learn
learn
how to
how to
hunt.
hunt.
Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will
Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will
gain knowledge.
gain knowledge.
Write
Write
teach
teach
or
or
learn
learn
to complete
to complete
the sentence.
the sentence.
Little Ann will _________ Old Dan
Little Ann will _________ Old Dan
how to swim across the river.
how to swim across the river.
Little Ann will
Little Ann will
teach
teach
Old Dan how
Old Dan how
to swim across the river.
to swim across the river.
Billy will
Billy will
teach
teach
the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will
the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will
learn
learn
how to
how to
hunt.
hunt.
Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will
Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will
gain knowledge.
gain knowledge.
Write
Write
teach
teach
or
or
learn
learn
to complete
to complete
the sentence.
the sentence.
Billy used a raccoon hide to ______
Billy used a raccoon hide to ______
Little Ann and Old Dan.
Little Ann and Old Dan.
Billy used a raccoon hide to
Billy used a raccoon hide to
teach
teach
Little Ann and Old Dan.
Little Ann and Old Dan.
Billy will
Billy will
teach
teach
the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will
the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will
learn
learn
how to
how to
hunt.
hunt.
Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will
Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will
gain knowledge.
gain knowledge.
Write
Write
teach
teach
or
or
learn
learn
to complete
to complete
the sentence.
the sentence.
Samie could not _________ to stay
Samie could not _________ to stay
away from the trap.
away from the trap.
Samie could not
Samie could not
learn
learn
to stay
to stay
away from the trap.
away from the trap.
Billy will
Billy will
teach
teach
the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will
the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will
learn
learn
how to
how to
hunt.
hunt.
Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will
Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will
gain knowledge.
gain knowledge.
Write
Write
taught
taught
or
or
learned
learned
to
to
complete the sentence.
complete the sentence.
Little Ann and Old Dan ________
Little Ann and Old Dan ________
quickly how to track coons.
quickly how to track coons.
Little Ann and Old Dan
Little Ann and Old Dan
learned
learned
quickly how to track coons.
quickly how to track coons.
Practice – Number your paper from
1 to 10. Write the correct answer
for each of the following items.
1. Why did Billy (teach, learn) the
girls to take care of Samie?
2. Do you want to (teach, learn)
how to trap coons?
3. Dad tried to (teach, learn) Billy
how to set the trap.
4. In this book you will (teach,
learn) all about coon hunting.
5. How will Billy (teach, learn) the
way to town?
6. Who will (teach, learn) the girls
how to skip a stone across the
creek?
7. Billy (taught, learned) his sisters
how to build a dog pen.
8. I (taught, learned) how to make
a fishing pole using a safety pin
and string.
9. Grandpa can (teach, learn) me
how to grind corn to make
cornmeal.
10. Can you (teach, learn) Billy how
to skin a coon?
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Enhance your language skills by mastering the usage of sit and set through clear examples and explanations. Learn the distinctions between the two words and how they are correctly applied in various contexts, avoiding common mistakes. Improve your writing with practical exercises to reinforce comprehension.
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Presentation Transcript
Sit and Set Sit means to take a seat or sit down. I want to sit here a while and rest. Sit in the blue chair. Set means to place something. Please set this blue chair in that corner. Set the red cushion on the blue chair.
Wrong Billy, why did you sit your trap next to the front door where you knew Samie would get into it? Right Billy, why did you set your trap next to the front door where you knew Samie would get into it?
Wrong For that, Billy, you must set in the corner for an hour and think about poor, sad Samie. Right For that, Billy, you must sit in the corner for an hour and think about poor, sad Samie.
I sit on the chair. I set my gun down. Write sit or set to complete the sentence. Grandpa did not like to _____ in this chair.
I sit on the chair. I set my gun down. Write sit or set to complete the sentence. Mama carefully ________ the lamp on the table.
I sit on the chair. I set my gun down. Write sit or set to complete the sentence. Who ______ the lantern on this table?
I sit on the chair. I set my gun down. Write sit or set to complete the sentence. Would you like to _______ here by the fire?
Practice Number your paper from 1 to 10. Write the correct answer for each of the following items. 1. David carelessly (sit, set) the pork chops on the table where the dog could reach them, and it did.
2. Papa (sit, set) his alarm for 5 A.M. so that he would not be late delivering the mail.
4. Grandpa was (sitting, setting) by the warm fire.
5. The hunters (sit, set) their raccoon pelts on Grandpa s counter in the general store.
6. Billy (sit, set) the bag of corn by the door.
7. Grandpa was (sitting, setting) in the rocking chair by the window.
8. Billy was going to (sit, set) down by the red oak tree to wait on Rubin and Rainie.
9. The wily old coon would (sit, set) on the trail until Little Ann and Old Dan came running in his direction.
10. Billy knew the ghost coon could not (sit, set) in his hiding place all night long.
Lie and Lay People lie on beds. Dogs lie on people. Fleas lie on dogs. The people, the dogs, and the fleas are very still. Lie is a still verb. A person picks up a dog and lays it on a blanket. A pair of tweezers picks a flea off a dog and lays it outside. A hen lays an egg. The person, the tweezers, and the hen are very active. Lay is an active verb. It implies that somebody is setting or placing something somewhere.
Lie (to lie down on a bed) lie, lay, lain, lying Today I lie in bed. Yesterday I lay in bed. Many times I have lain in bed. Yesterday I was lying in bed all day. Lying in bed all day is boring.
Lay (to place something, to set something down) lay, laid, laid, laying Today I lay the book on the counter. Yesterday I laid the book on the counter. Many times I have laid the book on the counter. Yesterday I was laying the book on the counter when Mom came home. Laying books on the kitchen counter is against the rules in my house.
Americans use the words lie and lay incorrectly so often that your ear has trouble telling you which is correct. Here are a few tips to help you keep these words straight.
Tip 1 Repeat this like a song. lie, lay, lain, lie, lay, lain, lie, lay, lain, lie, lay, lain,
Tip 2 Remember the verb lay works just like to say and to pay. Those verbs are irregular, but they aren t confusing. Today I say that I pay; yesterday I said that I paid; many times I have said that I have paid. To lay works the same. Lay, laid, laid
Tip 3 Nobody says that hens lie eggs. We all get that one correct: hens lay eggs. Those hens are mighty busy! Just visualize in your mind how active and busy those hens are. Lay is an active, busy word. When you re doing something active (laying down your backpack, laying a new rug on the floor), lay is the word you want.
Tip 4 Remember that lie is a quiet word. Here s a silly ditty you can use to remind yourself of that (notice all the eye sounds): At night, I turn out my light and lie. Whether it s on you sofa, on your beach towel, or on your bed, if you are quietly reclining, you re lying never laying.
Tip 5 Substitute the word place or the word put. If the sentence sounds right, lay is the word you want. If it doesn t sound right, lie is the word you want. Does it sound right to say that you place the book on the table? Yes, so it s correct to say that you lay the book on the table. Does it sound right to say you place in your bed at night? No, so it s correct to say that you lie in your bed at night.
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to correctly complete the sentence. I will lie down and take a nap. Mama will lay the bowl on the table. His little sister _______ the bowl of milk beside Old Dan.
His little sister lays the bowl of milk beside Old Dan.
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to correctly complete the sentence. I will lie down and take a nap. Mama will lay the bowl on the table. Mama asked if she might ____ on the bed.
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to correctly complete the sentence. I will lie down and take a nap. Mama will lay the bowl on the table. Will you _______ down your trap for a few minutes?
Will you lay down your trap for a few minutes?
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to correctly complete the sentence. I will lie down and take a nap. Mama will lay the bowl on the table. Old Dan likes to ________ in the sun.
Write lie, lies, lay, or lays to correctly complete the sentence. I will lie down and take a nap. Mama will lay the bowl on the table. Why don't you _______ down for a few minutes?
Why don't you lie down for a few minutes?
Practice Number your paper from 1 to 32. Write the correct answer for each of the following items. 1. I will (lay, lie) a blanket out for Billy to use when he washes his hair.
2. You'll feel much better if you just (lay, lie) down and rest for a while.
3. Billy will (lay, lie) the trap down next to the river.
4. Mamas hens aren't (laying, lying) any eggs this week.
5. The cat is (laying, lying) on the rug, next to the chair.
6. Grandma (lays, lies) her hairbrush on the dresser when she finishes using it.
7. The four raccoons like to (lay, lie) in the sun.
8. Everyday when Papa came home he would (lay, lie) his jacket on the sofa.
9. You've been (laying, lying) there entirely too long. Get up!
