GMAT Grammar Book: Proper Use of Problem Words

Question

PROPER USE OF PROBLEM VERBS   yellow/96227 
This post is a part of  GMAT GRAMMAR BOOK ]

created by:   bb 
 edited by:   dzyubam

It can be quite confusing to distinguish which correct verb to use when it comes to   raise/rise  ,   set/sit  , or   lay/lie  .   Raise, set   and   lay   are transitive verbs and are followed by an object.   Rise, sit   and   lie   are intransitive verbs and are NOT followed by an object.  NOTE : Even native speakers often misuse   lay   and   lie  .

Study the chart below to understand the correct conjugation and use of these verbs.

TRANSITIVE    INTRANSATIVE   
    raise, raised, raised  
Tony   raised   his  hand   (object) .

set, set, set  
Julie   set    the book   (object)  on my desk.

lay, laid, laid  
Julie is   laying    the book   (object)  on my desk.    rise, rose, risen  
Tony   rises   early.

sit, sat, sat  
I   sit   in the third row.

lie, lay, lain  
John is   lying   on the floor. (Notice the changed spelling of  lie  when “ing” is added.)   
 NOTE : The verb   lie  , which means “not to tell the truth”, is a regular verb:

lie, lied, lied  
Ruth   lied   to me about her age.

Exercise 13: Using Raise/Rise, Set/Sit and Lay/Lie 
Underline the correct word in parentheses in the following sentences.

1. Hens ( lay, lie ) eggs.
2. Janice ( set, sat ) the table for dinner.
3. Janice ( set, sat ) at the table for dinner.
4. Mrs. Smith ( raises, rises ) a garden every year.
5. I ( laid, lay ) my wallet on top of the dresser.
6. The ability to succeed ( lies, lays ) within you.
7. The old lady ( set, sat ) on the bench because she was tired.
8. Hot air ( raises, rises ).
9. When I get tired, I ( lay, lie ) down and take a nap.
10. Jennifer ( raised, rose ) from her seat to pick up her test paper.

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  This post is a part of  GMAT GRAMMAR BOOK ]

zisis · Answer

another way to describe the two categories is:

- transitive = action on other(s)
- intransitive = action on self

bb · Answer

Seems to work.... and is a good way to remember

neo123 · Answer

Yes, great addon by zisis. Thanks

GMAT Grammar Book: Proper Use of Problem Words

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TRANSITIVE	INTRANSATIVE
raise, raised, raised Tony raised his hand (object). set, set, set Julie set the book (object) on my desk. lay, laid, laid Julie is laying the book (object) on my desk.	rise, rose, risen Tony rises early. sit, sat, sat I sit in the third row. lie, lay, lain John is lying on the floor. (Notice the changed spelling of lie when “ing” is added.)