1. Writing Lab
Lie and Lay

2. Which word should you use?
Lay vs. Lie
Which word should you use?
Do not confuse the transitive verb LAY (which has an object) with the intransitive LIE (which does not).

3. Lay Lay: to put or place something The principal parts of Lay are lay
lays
laying
laid
(has) laid

4. Examples of Lay We will lay (put down) the new carpet next week.
When laying (putting down) tile, you must be careful to get it straight.
Someone has laid (placed) my keys in the
wrong place.

5. Examples of Lay Cont. I must have laid (placed) my brush down
somewhere yesterday.
I’m always laying (placing) things down and forgetting where I laid (placed) them.

6. Lie Lie: to rest or recline The principal parts of Lie are Lie Lies
Lying
Lay
(has) lain

7. Examples of Lie Small children should lie (recline) down for a
nap after lunch.
The baby lay (reclined) awake and cried all
night.
The cicada hoard has lain (rested) dormant for
years, awaiting the right time to strike.
I found your keys lying (resting) under the
couch.

8. Examples of Lie Cont. The first command my dog learned was “Lie
(recline) down, Spike.”
The robber told the bank tellers and the customers to lie (recline) down on the floor.

9. Don’t Confuse Lay (to place) and Lay (to rest)
Though some trained professionals and students claim to have learned that inanimate
objects/things cannot lie (rest) – that only people
lie (rest) – no such rule exists.

10. Both people and inanimate objects may be found lying (in a resting position):
Trees were lying on the ground after the
hurricane.
Tourists can be seen lying on the beach getting
suntans.
Your keys are lying on the desk.

11. Practice • I (layed/laid) the book on the table yesterday.
I laid the book on the table yesterday.
• I think I will (lay/lie) down and take a nap.
I think I will lie down and take a nap.
• My cat is (laying/lying) in its bed.
My cat is lying on its bed.

12. More Practice • The book is (laying/lying) on the table.
The book is laying on the table.
• I (lay/laid) around all day yesterday.
I lay around all day yesterday.
• You’re (laying/lying) on my blanket.
You’re lying on my table.

13. That’s all, folks!
This lesson is part of the UWF Writing Lab Grammar Mini-Lesson Series
Lessons adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon
To find out more, visit the Writing Lab’s website where you can take a self-scoring quiz corresponding to this lesson