Six confusing verbs

LIE and LAY

There are 2 different verbs that are spelled alike (lie). One means to tell a falsehood. This is a regular verb and causes no difficulty, either in speaking or writing. The verb that is confused with lay is the verb lie, which means to recline, to rest, or to remain in a reclining position. This verb is an irregular verb (lie, lay, lain, lying).

The verb lay that is often confused with lie, means to put something down, to place something somewhere. The verb lay always takes an object.

The pen lies on my desk.
John lays carpets for Macey's store.

SIT and SET

The verb sit means to assume a sitting position or to occupy a seat. This verb is irregular (sit, sat, sat, sitting) and never takes an object.

The verb set means to place, to put something in position, to make rigid, solid or stiff. This verb is also irregular (set, set, set, setting) and usually takes an object.

Joe sat very still, watching the game.
We set the clock back yesterday.

Idiomatic uses

The verb set is used without the object in the following sentences:

The sun was setting when we left the lodge.
The cement will set in two hours.
We set out on a long journey.
The men set to work at once.
Jelly sets as it cools.

RISE and RAISE

The verb rise means to ascend, to go up, to extend upward, to swell up, to increase in value, force or intensity. This verb is irregular (rise, rose, risen, rising). The verb rise express an action but does not take an object.

The verb raise means to lift up something or cause it to go up, to increase the amount or price, to collect a number of things, etc.

The river rises in the north.
I raised my arm.