Using Lie/Lay, Sit/Set, Rise/Raise, Let/Leave, & Teach/Learn

Lay means “to put” or “to place.”

Present Past Past Participle

lay laid has laid

The following sentences use a form of lay correctly:

I always lay the towels on the shelf.
I laid the towels on the shelf yesterday.
I have laid the towels on the shelf daily.

Lie means “to recline” or “to rest.”

Present Past Past Participle

lie lay has lain

The following sentences use a form of lie correctly:

At this moment, the towels lie on the shelf.
The towels lay on the shelf yesterday.
The towels have lain on the shelf every day.

Sit means “to be seated” or “to be located.”

Present Past Past Participle

sit sat has sat

The following sentences use a form of sit correctly:

Right now, the pan sits on the counter.
The pan sat on the counter yesterday.
The pan has sat there for six years.

Set means “to place.”

Present Past Past Participle

set set has set

The following sentences use a form of set correctly:

I usually set the pan on the table.
I set the pan on the table yesterday.
I have set the pan there for years.
Rise means “to get up” or “to increase.”

Present Past Past Participle

rise rose has risen

The following sentences use a form of rise correctly: I

rise at 6 a.m. every day.
I rose at 6 a.m. yesterday.
I have risen at 6 a.m. for many years.

Raise means “to lift” or “to bring up.”

Present Past Past Participle

raise raised has raised

The following sentences use a form of raise correctly: I

raise the flag every morning.
I raised the flag yesterday.
I have often raised the flag at sunrise.

Let and leave

Let and leave are close in meaning but not the same.

In one of its meanings, the verb let has to do with allowing or permitting something. To check
the word, substitute the word allow.

Present Past Past Participle

let let has let

Examples:
Let me help you with that. (Allow me to help you with that.)
Mary will let me be by myself for a while. (Mary will allow me to be by myself.)

In one of its meanings, the verb leave has to do with letting something remain.

Present Past Past Participle

leave left has left

Examples:
Dad will leave the pie on the counter for you.
I will leave you alone until you feel better.

Teach and learn

To teach something is to give instruction.

Present Past Past Participle

teach taught has taught

Examples:
I will teach you how to solve this math problem.

To learn something is to receive instruction.

Present Past Past Participle

learn learned has learned

Examples:
I am sure you can learn it.