Word Usage: Sit or Set
Can-do Statement: I can correctly distinguish between and use the verbs ‘sit’ and ‘set’ in sentences.
1. Target Vocabulary
sit
(verb)
ngồi
Definition: To rest in a position where your weight is supported by your bottom and your back is upright.
Example: Please sit in the comfortable chair near the window.
set
(verb)
đặt, để
Definition: To put or place something in a particular position.
Example: Set the heavy bags on the floor, please.
coaster
(noun)
miếng lót ly
Definition: A small mat used to protect a table from a cold or hot drink.
Example: Always put your glass on a coaster so you don’t mark the table.
mantle
(noun)
bệ lò sưởi
Definition: A shelf above a fireplace.
Example: The gold clock sits on the mantle in the living room.
groceries
(noun)
thực phẩm, hàng tạp hóa
Definition: Food and other goods bought at a supermarket.
Example: We need to put the groceries away in the kitchen.
counter
(noun)
quầy, kệ bếp
Definition: A flat surface in a kitchen used for preparing food.
Example: I left the car keys on the kitchen counter.
vase
(noun)
bình hoa
Definition: A decorative container for holding flowers.
Example: She set the vase of roses in the center of the table.
period
(noun)
khoảng thời gian
Definition: A particular length of time.
Example: My grandmother cannot sit for long periods of time.
2. Grammar Focus
The Intransitive Verb ‘Sit’
‘Sit’ is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. It describes the action the subject is doing to themselves or an object naturally resting somewhere.
Structure: Subject + sit/sits/sat (+ prepositional phrase)
| Subject | Verb (Sit) | Prepositional Phrase / Modifier |
|---|---|---|
| We | sit | at the table to eat our dinner. |
| The tired dog | likes to sit | in the shade. |
| You | can sit | here while you wait for the bus. |
The Transitive Verb ‘Set’
‘Set’ is a transitive verb, which means it requires a direct object. It describes an action done to an object (putting or placing something somewhere).
Structure: Subject + set/sets + Object + Location
| Subject | Verb (Set) | Direct Object | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Please | set | your drink | on the coaster. |
| Daisy | set | the books | on the table yesterday. |
| He | sets | the groceries | on the counter before opening the fridge. |
3. Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Vocabulary Matching
Match the word on the left (1-7) with its correct definition/translation on the right (A-G).
1. coaster
2. mantle
3. groceries
4. counter
5. vase
6. period
7. sit
2. mantle
3. groceries
4. counter
5. vase
6. period
7. sit
A. A shelf above a fireplace (bệ lò sưởi)
B. A flat surface in a kitchen used for preparing food
C. To rest in an upright position supported by your bottom
D. A decorative container for holding flowers
E. Food and other goods bought at a supermarket
F. A small mat used to protect a table from drinks
G. A particular length of time (khoảng thời gian)
B. A flat surface in a kitchen used for preparing food
C. To rest in an upright position supported by your bottom
D. A decorative container for holding flowers
E. Food and other goods bought at a supermarket
F. A small mat used to protect a table from drinks
G. A particular length of time (khoảng thời gian)
? Click to see Answer Key & Explanation (Đáp án & Giải thích)
1 – F: Coaster is a small mat for drinks (miếng lót ly).
2 – A: Mantle is the shelf above a fireplace (bệ lò sưởi).
3 – E: Groceries are items/food bought at a supermarket (thực phẩm).
4 – B: Counter is the flat kitchen preparation surface (kệ bếp).
5 – D: Vase is a container meant to hold flowers (bình hoa).
6 – G: Period refers to a specific length of time (khoảng thời gian).
7 – C: Sit represents the posture of resting on one’s bottom (ngồi).
Exercise 2: Gap Fill (Sit or Set)
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of sit or set.
- Please _______________ your cup on the coaster so it doesn’t leave a mark.
- She likes to _______________ by the fireplace and read a novel during the winter.
- The workers spent the afternoon _______________ the heavy boxes on the warehouse floor.
- A beautiful old clock is _______________ right on the mantle piece.
- Yesterday, he _______________ the groceries on the counter and left immediately.
- My back hurts when I _______________ for a long period of time.
- They have _______________ the date of the meeting for next Monday.
? Click to see Answer Key & Explanation (Đáp án & Giải thích)
1. set: “Your cup” là tân ngữ trực tiếp, cần động từ ngoại động ‘set’.
2. sit: Không có tân ngữ trực tiếp theo sau, hành động tự thân của chủ ngữ.
3. setting: Đang đặt các hộp nặng (heavy boxes – tân ngữ) xuống sàn.
4. sitting: Đồng hồ tự nằm/đặt ở trên bệ lò sưởi (không có tân ngữ đi kèm).
5. set: Quá khứ của ‘set’ vẫn là ‘set’; có tân ngữ “the groceries”.
6. sit: Thể hiện tư thế ngồi liên tục trong thời gian dài (intransitive).
7. set: Cấu trúc hiện tại hoàn thành ‘have set’, “the date” là tân ngữ.
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Choose the best option to complete each sentence.
- Can you help me _____ these flower vases on the windowsill?
- The old cat has been _____ on the warm kitchen counter all morning.
- Don’t forget to use a _____ when you put hot coffee on the table.
- She _____ the keys right next to the groceries, but now they are gone.
- He couldn’t remain _____ for a long period because he was too nervous.
- They _____ on the park bench for over an hour talking about their childhood.
- Please _____ the package down over there.
? Click to see Answer Key & Explanation (Đáp án & Giải thích)
1. (B) set: “These flower vases” là tân ngữ trực tiếp nên phải dùng ‘set’.
2. (C) sitting: Thì hiện tại hoàn thành tiếp diễn chỉ trạng thái của con mèo, không có tân ngữ.
3. (B) coaster: Miếng lót ly dùng để bảo vệ bàn khỏi đồ uống nóng.
4. (B) set: Hành động trong quá khứ đặt vật gì đó (the keys) xuống.
5. (A) seated / sitting: Trạng thái ngồi im lặng (remain sitting).
6. (B) sat: Quá khứ của ‘sit’ là ‘sat’, diễn tả họ đã ngồi trên ghế đá.
7. (B) set: Câu mệnh lệnh yêu cầu đặt vật gì đó xuống (“the package”).
Exercise 4: True or False
Determine whether the underlined verbs are used correctly according to grammar rules. Write T (True) or F (False).
- Please sit the vase of flowers directly onto the mantle. (___)
- The students were told to sit quietly until the bell rang. (___)
- He sat his heavy backpack on the kitchen counter. (___)
- A decorative plate sets on the shelf above the fireplace. (___)
- We should set a specific period for our group study sessions. (___)
- You can set on this cushion if the wooden chair is too hard. (___)
- She accidentally set her hot mug down without a coaster. (___)
? Click to see Answer Key & Explanation (Đáp án & Giải thích)
1. F: Phải đổi thành ‘set’ vì có tân ngữ “the vase of flowers”.
2. T: ‘Sit’ được dùng đúng vì không có tân ngữ và chỉ tư thế của học sinh.
3. F: Có tân ngữ “his heavy backpack”, quá khứ phải dùng ‘set’ thay vì ‘sat’.
4. F: Chiếc đĩa tự nằm ở đó, không có tân ngữ, phải dùng ‘sits’.
5. T: ‘Set’ mang nghĩa thiết lập/ấn định cái gì đó (tân ngữ là “a specific period”).
6. F: Ngồi lên một chiếc đệm (hành động tự thân), phải dùng ‘sit’.
7. T: ‘Set’ dùng chính xác vì hành động đặt vật gì (“her hot mug”) xuống.
Exercise 5: Sentence Reordering
Rearrange the given words to form a grammatically correct sentence.
- on / counter / groceries / the / set / please / the .
Please set the groceries on the counter. - for / cannot / periods / long / sit / grandmother / my .
My grandmother cannot sit for long periods. - the / on / vase / table / she / the / set .
She set the vase on the table. - mantle / a / clock / sits / beautiful / the / on .
A beautiful clock sits on the mantle. - always / glass / your / coaster / a / on / put .
Always put your glass on a coaster. - shade / the / tired / dog / in / sat / the .
The tired dog sat in the shade. - chair / window / near / sit / the / in / please .
Please sit in the chair near the window.
? Click to see Answer Key & Explanation (Đáp án & Giải thích)
1: Please set the groceries on the counter. (Yêu cầu đặt đồ tạp hóa lên kệ bếp).
2: My grandmother cannot sit for long periods. (Bà tôi không thể ngồi lâu).
3: She set the vase on the table. (Cô ấy đã đặt chiếc bình lên bàn).
4: A beautiful clock sits on the mantle. (Một chiếc đồng hồ đẹp nằm trên bệ lò sưởi).
5: Always put your glass on a coaster. (Luôn đặt ly của bạn trên miếng lót).
6: The tired dog sat in the shade. (Chú chó mệt mỏi đã ngồi trong bóng râm).
7: Please sit in the chair near the window. (Vui lòng ngồi vào chiếc ghế gần cửa sổ).
Exercise 6: Grammar Selection (Error Correction)
Identify the grammatical error in each sentence and choose the correct replacement word.
- “After shopping, I sat the full paper bags on the floor.”
Correction: Replace ‘sat’ with _______________ - “The bird likes to set on the high fence outside.”
Correction: Replace ‘set’ with _______________ - “He always sit his coffee cup directly on the wood without a coaster.”
Correction: Replace ‘sit’ with _______________ - “We set for hours waiting for our flight to arrive.”
Correction: Replace ‘set’ with _______________ - “A pile of magazines sets messy on the living room table.”
Correction: Replace ‘sets’ with _______________ - “Please sit the baby’s high chair over by the counter.”
Correction: Replace ‘sit’ with _______________ - “You shouldn’t set inactive for an extended period of time.”
Correction: Replace ‘set’ with _______________
? Click to see Answer Key & Explanation (Đáp án & Giải thích)
1. set: “the full paper bags” là tân ngữ, câu ở quá khứ nên dùng ‘set’.
2. sit: Con chim tự đậu/ngồi, không tác động lên vật khác, dùng ‘sit’.
3. sets: Chủ ngữ ngôi thứ 3 số ít “He” + ngoại động từ có tân ngữ “his coffee cup” -> ‘sets’.
4. sat: Hành động ngồi chờ trong quá khứ của “We”, không có tân ngữ -> ‘sat’.
5. sits / lies: Đống tạp chí tự nằm yên trên bàn, dùng nội động từ số ít ‘sits’.
6. set: “the baby’s high chair” là tân ngữ trực tiếp, cần dùng động từ ‘set’.
7. sit: Diễn tả trạng thái ngồi im không hoạt động -> dùng ‘sit’.
