Lay vs. Lie
Lie and lay both have many definitions, but they’re most often confused where lie
means to recline and lay means to put down. But the distinction is simple: Lay needs an
object—something being laid—while lie cannot have an object. For example, you might
lay a book on the table, lay a sweater on the bed, or lay a child in her crib. When you
feel tired at the end of the day, you may lie down. But you can’t lie a book anywhere,
and you can’t lay down (no object) at the end of the day.
The verbs’ inflections are as follows:
verb
present tense
past tense
past participle
present participle
lay
lay
laid
laid
laying
lie
lie
lay
lain
lying
This is where things get weird, especially in the past-tense and past-
participial inflections of lie, which sound like they should correspond to lay. For
example, one would be correct in saying,
I lay down in bed at 8:45. I had lain there a few minutes when I realized the
oven was on.
http://grammarist.com/usage/lay-lie/
Lie or Lay?
Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer
hidden under the answer button.
1. He was ___ when he said that he didn't see anyone there.
lying
laying
She ___ about her experience in order to get that job.
lay
lied
laid
You'll feel much better if you just ___ down and rest for a while.
lie
lay
He ___ the books on the table.
lied
lay
laid
