Lie vs Lay: Forms, Meanings and Examples
Lie means to rest in a horizontal position and takes no object. Lay means to put something down and normally takes an object.
Clear Explanation
• Lie–lay–lain describes resting.
• Lay–laid–laid describes putting an object somewhere.
• Today you lie down; yesterday you lay down.
• Today you lay a book down; yesterday you laid it down.
• Lie meaning an untrue statement has the past form lied.
Examples
I lie down after lunch.
Yesterday I lay on the grass.
She laid the keys on the table.
Quick Comparison
Common Mistake
Do not write I laid down for resting unless you also name the object you placed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the past participle of lie?
For resting, it is lain.
Does lay need an object?
Usually yes when it means put down.
Why is this pair confusing?
The past tense of lie is lay, which is also a present-tense verb.