Rules for Using the Irregular Verbs Lay and Lie

 

 Understand the problem.

Choosing the correct forms of lay and lie is a big challenge. Without a doubt, they are the two most difficult irregular verbs. The problem is that when we speak, we frequently misuse them. As a result, our ears are used to hearing incorrect forms. So when we spot a wrong form while we are proofreading, it sounds right.

Know the solution.

How do you use lay and lie correctly? First, you must know the definition of each verb.

Definition of Lay

Lay means to put something [or someone] down. Because lay is a transitive verb, a direct objectwill come after it. A direct object receives the action of the verb. Read this example:

Before returning to the Godzillamarathon on late night TV, Quentinlaid his sleeping son Jeremy on the bed and covered him with a quilt.

Quentin laid whom on the bed? Jeremy.

Definition of Lie

Lie, on the other hand, means to rest or recline. Lieis an intransitive verb, so no direct object will follow.

The center of Diane's bed always smells like dog because Reliable, her beagle, lies there every chance he gets.

What is Reliable doing in the middle of the bed?Resting.

Choosing the Correct Form

Once you know which meaning you need, you must then choose the correct verb form. Look at the table below:

Infinitive	Definition	Simple Present	Simple Past	Past Participle	Present Participle
to lay	to put something down	lay(s)	laid	laid	laying
to lie	to rest or recline	lie(s)	lay	lain	lying

Important note: The simple present form of layis the same word as the simple past form of lie. This shared form accounts for much of the confusion with these two verbs.

To choose the correct form, you must understand the uses of the simple present, simple past, and past participle forms.

Use the simple present forms when you mean action which happens consistently or action which is happening right now.

Jack always lays the cordless telephone where no one can find it; only the rings of an incoming call will betray its presence.

This action happens consistently.

Although the crowd shouts for him to rise, Charles lies in the middle of the boxing ring, felled by a powerful uppercut delivered by Antonio, his opponent.

This action is happening right now.

Use the simple past forms when you mean action completed in the past.

Rachel laid her month-late essay in Dr. Cohen's mailbox, hoping that he would still accept the work.

Laid = simple past tense of lay, to put something down.

Gently rocked by ocean waves, Robbie lay on the raft, unconcerned about the distance to shore or fish nibbling the fingers he dangled in the water.

Lay = simple past tense of lie, to rest or recline.

Use the past participle forms whenever you have one or more auxiliary verbs forming the tense.

Rinalda had just laid the last piece of chicken on the grill when a bolt of lightning and clap of thunder signaled the early end of the family picnic.

Jasper should not have laid his new black sweater on the bed, for Josie, his beagle, found it the perfect place to nap.

Squeeze, a seven-foot python, has lain all day in a corner of his aquarium, his inquisitive tongue the only movement indicating life.

Lorenzo would have lain on the sofa all day if the cushions didn’t stink of dog.

Additional Examples

Check out these additional examples for lay:

Every afternoon, Robin lays her keys on the counter, and then Buster, her cat, bats them onto the floor.

Robin puts her keys on the counter.

Zaw laid his head in his hands and sobbed. He had a 79.4 average in his English class, and the evil Mrs. Varner would not bump his grade to a B.

Zaw put his head in his hands.

If Latorrance had not laid his essay on the cafeteria table, ketchup stains would not decorate four of the pages.

Latorrance put his essay on the table.

Here are more examples for lie:

After a hard day of chewing pig ears and scratching fleas, my dog Floyd lies on the kitchen floor and takes a well-deserved nap.

Floyd rests on the kitchen floor.

Shimmering with all the colors of the spectrum, a thick, greasy filmlay on the surface of the squid eyeball stew.

The thick, greasy film rested on the surface of the stew.

The bill for the expensive meal has lain on the table so long that Melissa wonders if her boyfriend Kris has forgotten that it is his turn to pay.

The bill rests on the table.