Lay means to place or to set down. Lie means to rest or to recline. Many people confuse these two words. The most common lay/lie error is using lay in sentences such as, “I am going to lay down on my bed.” Really? You are going to place own on your bed? Of course not. If you are going to rest, you are going to lie down. So, remember the difference between the two words by thinking that lay refers to the action of placing or putting an item somewhere. Lie, on the other hand, refers to the lack of action involved in resting. To make this situation even more confusing, the past tense of lie is lay.
Remember: no one ever said the English language had to make sense!
Here is a brief overview
LIE:
MEANING: To rest, to recline
PAST TENSE:Lay
PAST PERFECT:Lain
LAY:
MEANING:To place, to set down
PAST TENSE:Laid
PAST PERFECT:Laid
Questions
1. If you ____ on the couch any longer, you will turn into a
potato!
a. lay
b. lie
c. lays
d. are laying
2. Please ____ the files on my desk.
a. lie
b. lay
3. The apples ____ on the counter for so long that they are
now rotten.
a. have lain
b. laid
c. have lied
d. lied
4. Bronson ____ the blankets on the bed.
a. lain
b. lay
c. laid
d. lied
5. Don’t just ____ there like a lump, do something!
a. lay
b. lie
6. We ____ so long in the sun, by the end of the day we
looked like lobsters.
a. had laid
b. had lain
c. laid
d. lain
7. I always forget where I ____ my keys down when I get
home.
a. lay
b. lie
8. After the baby fell asleep, she was quietly ____ in her crib.
a. laid
b. lied
the goof-proof rules—word usage
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1. b. If you lie (rest) on the couch any longer, you will turn
into a potato!
2. b. Please lay (place) the files on my desk.
3. a. The apples have lain (rested) on the counter for so long
that they are now rotten.
4. c. Bronson laid (placed) the blankets on the bed.
5. b. Don’t just lie (rest) there like a lump, do something!
6. b. We had lain (rested) so long in the sun, by the end of
the day we looked like lobsters.
7. a. I always forget where I lay (place) my keys down when I
get home.
8. a. After the baby fell asleep, she was quietly laid (placed)
in her crib.