One of the main differences between lay and
lie is that
·
Lay is a
regular verb.
Verb Infinitive Past Tense Past Participle Present Participle
lay lay laid laid laying
lay lay laid laid laying
·
The verb ‘lay’ means ‘putting down something carefully’. It also
has the meaning of ‘putting down flat’.
·
Lay requires the use of an object. Observe the following
sentences:
I laid the books out on the
table. (The books were put down carefully on the table.)
Lay the paintings down on the
carpet.( The paintings were put down flat on the carpet.)
·
Lie is an
irregular verb.
Verb Infinitive Past Tense Past Participle Present Participle
Lie lie lay lain lying
Lie lie lay lain lying
·
Lie gives the meaning of ‘to be down’ or ‘to be flat’.
·
The irregular verb ‘lie’ does not require the use of an object.
Don’t lie in bed all day. Get
to some work instead.
I fell down and lay motionless for a few
minutes.
Lie vs Lay Exercise: Choose the correct word for the sentence.
1.
He was ___ when he said that he didn't see anyone there.
lying
laying
2.
She ___ about her experience in order to get that job.
lay
lied
laid
3.
You'll feel much better if you just ___ down and rest for a while.
lie
lay
4.
He ___ the books on the table.
lied
lay
laid
5.
The hens aren't ___ any eggs this week.
lying
laying
6.
Why did they ___ so many employees off at that company last year ?
lay
lie
7.
He___ a serious charge against his employer.
has lied
has laid
has lain
8.
What I did ___ heavily on my conscience ever since.
has lain
has laid
has lied
9.
The solution ___ with you.
lies
lays
So here's the drill:
~You need to lie down today, yesterday you lay down, in the past you have lain down.
~Today, you lay the book on the table. Yesterday, you laid the book on the table. In the past, you have laid the book on the table.
