120. Practice – Confusing Verbs

We talked this week about four sets of confusing verbs. Now it’s time to practice what you learned.

Section A: Choose the correct verb for each sentence below.
1. My dog likes to (lay, lie) on the carpet.
2. If you are tired, you should (lay, lie) down.
3. Please (lay, lie) the knives and forks in the drawer.
4. We can (lay, lie) the stepping stones in a herringbone pattern.
5. That cat always (lays, lies) on the windowsill.

6. In the morning, I (raise, rise) the shades to let in the sunshine.
7. It’s nice to get up early and watch the sun (raise, rise) above the horizon.
8. Please (raise, rise) your hand if you want to ask a question.
9. Do you think we can (raise, rise) enough money for the new building?
10. The temperature will (raise, rise) during the day.

11. Please (sit, set) in that chair.
12. I would like you to (sit, set) the table for dinner.
13. My dog likes to (sit, set) by my feet.
14. Ask the delivery man to (sit, set) the package on the porch.
15. Let’s (sit, set) on the sofa to watch a movie.

16. I plan to (resign, re-sign) from my job at the end of the month.
17. You need to (resign, re-sign) yourself to the fact that we will have less money now.
18. Did you (resign, re-sign) the contract that the lawyer sent over?
19. The court papers got wet and now we have to (resign, re-sign) all of them.
20. Traffic is bad, so (resign, re-sign) yourself to being late for the party.

Answers: 1-lie; 2-lie; 3-lay; 4-lay; 5-lies; 6-raise; 7-rise; 8-raise; 9-raise; 10-rise; 11-sit; 12-set; 13-sit; 14-set; 15-sit; 16-resign; 17-resign; 18-re-sign; 19-re-sign; 20-resign.