having some trouble deciding between which verb completes the sentence. Would it be "A bell lays or lies on its side? Also having trouble on the sentence, "The piano sets or sits on a platform."
Thanks...
Use "lies" and "sits."
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/notorious.htm
and
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/notorious2.htm
See #162 and 163 and the chart for lie/lay
See #225 for sit/set
Let's go through each sentence and examine the verbs in question to determine the correct options.
1. "A bell lays or lies on its side."
In this sentence, we need to use a verb that describes the position or orientation of the bell. The correct verb to use in this context is "lies." Here's how you can figure it out:
- The verb "lay" is the past tense of "lie," which means to recline or be in a resting position.
- The verb "lie" means to be in a horizontal or resting position.
Since we are referring to the bell's current positioning, we need to use the present tense verb. Therefore, the correct option is "A bell lies on its side."
2. "The piano sets or sits on a platform."
Similarly, in this sentence, we want to find the correct verb that indicates the piano's position on the platform. The appropriate verb to use here is "sits." Here's how you can determine the answer:
- The verb "set" means to place something in a specific position or location.
- The verb "sit" means to be in a seated or resting position.
In this sentence, we want to describe the piano's position on the platform, which is a resting position rather than an action of placing it. Thus, the correct option is "The piano sits on a platform."
So, the correct completions for the sentences are:
- "A bell lies on its side."
- "The piano sits on a platform."