Lay or Lie?

A common mistake in English is when people use similar words in a different context. Some words are pronounced in almost the same way and people get confused sometimes when to use which word.

One of the most common mistakes in English is when people use lay or lie in the wrong context. Some forms of these verbs are similar, which makes it even more complicated. You have a clear overview of the differences below.

Table Of Contents
  1. Lay or lie
  2. Examples to lay and to lie
  3. Related articles

Lay or lie

These words have a similar meaning and have similar forms, but you still need to use them in a different context because they have a different meaning.

An extra difficulty is that ‘to lie’ has more than one meaning. This means that you need to pay even more attention when you want to use one of these verbs. It’s important that you know the context in which you need to use the verb. You have an overview of the difference in meaning below:

WordMeaningExample
to layto put something down gentlyTake the rug and lay it on the floor.
to lieto be in a vertical position (to rest)
not telling the truth		I have some bad news. It’s better if you lie down.
I hate people who lie.
Lay or Lie Taalhulp Engels
  • To lay is used when you are talking about the action when you put down something in a gentle way. It’s to describe what the subject is doing with the object.
  • To lie is used when you want to describe the static and vertical position you are in when you are resting, for example. You can also use this verb when you want to describe the action of not telling the truth.

Conjugation of ‘to lay’

Present simple

I lay
You lay
He/she/it lays
We lay
You lay
They lay

Past simple

I laid
You laid
He/she/it laid
We laid
You laid
They laid

Ing-form of ‘to lay‘: laying

Conjugation of ‘to lie’ (being in a vertical position)

Present simple

I lie
You lie
He/she/it lies
We lie
You lie
They lie

The present simple of ‘to lie’ is the same for both meanings of the verb.

Past simple

I lay
You lay
He/she/it lay
We lay
You lay
They lay

The past simple of ‘to lie’ is different for when you are not telling the truth. The conjugation you see above is to describe the vertical position.

Ing-form of ‘to lie’: lying

Examples to lay and to lie

  • I just love to lie in bed.
  • Please lay the blanket on the couch.
  • He hates it when I lay my cold feet in his lap.
  • My sister always lies on a towel when she’s at the beach.

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