Sit vs. Set

Don’t Say: Just set there for a minute while I check it for you.
Say Instead: Just sit there for a minute while I check it for you.

Here’s Why: Like “lie” and “lay,” “sit” and “set” are a pair of transitive and intransitive verbs with related meanings. “Set” means to put or to place something somewhere or to put it in motion. It is always transitive, and thus always needs an object. “Sit,” on the other hand, is virtually always intransitive. It means, in the case of people, to be in a seated position, or in the case of things, to be at rest. It almost never takes an object, because the sitting usually isn’t being done to anything. The exception would be something such as He sat them down for a talk, but that’s rare. Here are some correct examples of these two verbs in action:

Please set down that priceless vase.
(“Set” is transitive—its direct object is “vase.”)
Why don’t you sit a little closer to me?
(“Sit” is intransitive—no object.)

He sat over there for hours without moving.
(“Sat” is intransitive—no object.)

She set out bad cookies and weak punch.
(“Set” is transitive—direct objects are “cookies” and “punch.”)

I swear, I was just sitting there, minding my own business!
(“Sitting” is intransitive—no object.)

He was just setting down the safe when the police caught him.
(“Setting” is transitive—the direct object is “safe.”)