Lay vs. Lie

"Lay" and "lie" are two of the most confusing verbs in the English language. But don't worry, this guide will break it down for you with some simple rules and memory tricks.

The Basic Difference

Here's the one thing you need to remember:

• Lie means to recline. (You do it to yourself.)
• Lay means to place something down. (You do it to something else.)

The confusion comes from the fact that the past tense of "lie" is "lay." Let's break it down.

The Ultimate Cheat Sheet

Verb	Meaning	Present Tense	Past Tense	Past Participle
Lie	To recline	lie/lies	lay	lain
Lay	To place	lay/lays	laid	laid

Lie: To Recline

Use lie when someone or something is resting or reclining. There's no direct object.

Present Tense: Lie/Lies

• I'm going to lie down for a nap.
• The cat lies in the sun.
• The truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Past Tense: Lay

This is the tricky one. The past tense of "lie" is "lay."

• Yesterday, I lay in bed all morning.
• The ancient ruins lay hidden for centuries.
• The newspaper lay on the doorstep.

Past Participle: Lain

This form is used with "has," "have," or "had."

• The patient has lain in that bed for hours.
• The treasure had lain there for centuries.

A Simple Memory Trick

Think of it this way: To lie down is something you do yourself.

Lay: To Place

Use lay when you're placing something down. There will always be a direct object.

Present Tense: Lay/Lays

• Please lay the book on the table.
• The hen lays an egg every day.
• The workers are laying the foundation.

Past Tense: Laid

• She laid the baby in the crib.
• We laid our cards on the table.
• The company laid off 50 employees.

Past Participle: Laid

This form is used with "has," "have," or "had."

• They have laid new carpet in the living room.
• The groundwork has been laid.

A Simple Memory Trick

Think of it this way: To lay something down, you need an object to place.

Common Mix-Ups

"Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep"

This is correct! "Me" is the direct object.

"Lay Down" vs. "Lie Down"

• "Lie down." (A command to recline.)
• "Lay your phone down." (A command to place something.)

Song Lyrics Are Often Wrong

• Bob Dylan's "Lay, Lady, Lay" should be "Lie, Lady, Lie."
• Eric Clapton's "Lay Down Sally" should be "Lie Down Sally."

A Quick Test

1. Is there a direct object?
   • Yes → Use a form of lay.
   • No → Use a form of lie.
2. Can you replace it with "place"?
   • Yes → Use a form of lay.
   • No → Use a form of lie.

Test Yourself

Choose the right word:

1. The dog (lies/lays) by the fire.
2. Yesterday, the injured bird (lay/laid) on the ground.
3. Please (lie/lay) the papers on my desk.
4. She has (lain/laid) in bed all day.
5. The workers are (lying/laying) new bricks.
6. The book (lay/laid) open on the counter.
7. I need to (lie/lay) down.
8. The hen has (lain/laid) six eggs.
9. The city (lies/lays) to the north.
10. After (lying/laying) the baby down, she left the room.
11. The snow had (lain/laid) on the ground for days.
12. Don't just (lie/lay) there!
13. They (lay/laid) the cornerstone for the new building.
14. The ship has (lain/laid) at the bottom of the sea for a century.
15. I'm (lying/laying) new mulch in the garden.

Common Phrases

With Lie (to recline):

• Lie low
• Lie in wait
• Let sleeping dogs lie

With Lay (to place):

• Lay aside
• Lay bare
• Lay claim to
• Lay the groundwork

Final Thoughts

If you can substitute "put" or "place," use lay. If you can substitute "recline" or "rest," use lie.

When in doubt, you can always try to rephrase the sentence to avoid the problem altogether!

Answer Key: 1. lies, 2. lay, 3. lay, 4. lain, 5. laying, 6. lay, 7. lie, 8. laid, 9. lies, 10. laying, 11. lain, 12. lie, 13. laid, 14. lain, 15. laying

Now you can confidently lay this grammar rule to rest and lie easy knowing you've mastered it!