Would I lie to you? When to use lay and when to use lie

12 Jun 2009

To lay and to lie are two verbs which are so often interchanged that no-one actually knows which is the right one to use. (Full disclosure: I often get it wrong and have to look it up. It happens to the best of us.)   

So what’s the difference between lay and lie?

To lay is a transitive verb (a verb which needs an object) and means to place or to put.

Let’s see that in action.  

Present tense: Today I lay the book on the desk.
Past tense: Yesterday I laid the book on the desk.
Present perfect tense: I have laid the book on the desk.
Present continuous tense: I am laying the book on the desk.

 
Now the verb to lie is an intransitive verb (a verb which doesn’t need an object) and means to recline or to rest horizontally.

So let’s see how that works.

Present tense: Today I lie on the bed.
Past tense: Yesterday I lay on the bed.
Present perfect tense: I have lain on the bed all day.
Present continuous tense: I am lying on the bed.

Aha. Now we can see where the confusion is. The present tense of to lay: ‘today I lay the book on the table’ is the same as the past tense of to lie: ‘Yesterday I lay on the bed’. No wonder we all get in a muddle.   

So what’s the easiest way to remember? Print this page out and stick it on your notice board.

How do you remember? Any tips? Leave them in the comments.