lie vs. lay
Linguistic Reminder
(This reminder is available in English only.)
Problem
Because the past tense of the verb lie is the same as the present tense of lay, many, if not most, native English speakers confuse the verbs lie and lay now and then.
Solution
To choose the correct verb, remember these points.
- Lie means rest or recline and never takes a direct object.
- Lay means put or place and always takes a direct object.
Examples
The sentences below show the correct use of the verbs lie and lay.
| LIE | LAY |
|---|---|
| Present | |
| My contractor lies down (rests) in the afternoons. | My contractor always lays (puts) his blueprints on my kitchen table. |
| Past | |
| Hannibal's men lay (reclined) beside the elephants for warmth. | Hannibal laid (put) his weapons in the chest. |
| Present Participle | |
| The new carpet is lying (resting) on the deck. | Alison will be laying (putting down) carpet all day. |
| Past Participle | |
| The injured man had lain (reclined) in the ditch for several hours. | The paramedics have laid (put) the injured man on a stretcher. |
Tip
If you can replace the verb with the corresponding form of put, as shown in the examples above, choose the verb lay.
References
In preparing this linguistic reminder, we consulted the following sources:
The Canadian Style (1997)
The Gregg Reference Manual (2006)
The Oxford Guide to Canadian English Usage (2007)
Practical English Usage (2005)
When Bad Grammar Happens to Good People (2004)
Linguistic Recommendation reference number
REM-28/2011-01
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