What is the difference between lie and lay?

Lie means to rest or recline — the subject does it to itself, and no object follows: I need to lie down. Lay means to put something down — it always needs an object: Lay the book on the table.

Is it lay down or lie down?

Lie down when you recline yourself: I’m going to lie down for a nap. Use lay only when something is being placed: Lay the baby down gently.

What are the past forms of lie and lay?

Lie → lay → lain (Yesterday I lay on the couch). Lay → laid → laid (She laid the keys on the desk). The overlap — lay is also the past tense of lie — is why even native speakers mix these verbs up.

Is lie in “tell a lie” the same verb?

No — lie meaning “to say something untrue” is a separate, regular verb: lie → lied → lied. Only lie meaning “to recline” has the irregular forms lay and lain.

Level: B2

Lie vs Lay

Lie (rest or recline — no object) and lay (put something down — needs an object) confuse even native speakers. One question solves it: lay what? Practice with the sentences below.

🔍 Confused words · pair 27 of 54 ⏱ about 5 minutes 🔊 every sentence has audio

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Lie – to rest or recline (no object follows).
I need to ______ down for a few minutes. – lie
The cat likes to ______ in the sun. – lie
Don’t ______ on the wet grass. – lie
He went to ______ down because his head hurt. – lie
The islands ______ south of the mainland. – lie
Just ______ still while the doctor checks you. – lie
On Sundays I ______ in bed and read. – lie
The dog loves to ______ by the fireplace. – lie
You should ______ on your back for this exercise. – lie
Let the baby ______ in the crib for a while. – lie
The old ruins ______ hidden in the forest. – lie
After lunch we ______ on the beach and listen to the waves. – lie
Go ______ down until you feel better. – lie
Books and papers ______ all over his desk. – lie
The fields ______ empty after the harvest. – lie
I just want to ______ here and watch the clouds. – lie
Lay – to put something down (always needs an object).
Please ______ the book on the table. – lay
______ your phone down during dinner. – Lay
The hens ______ eggs every morning. – lay
______ the baby gently in the crib. – Lay
Workers will ______ the new carpet tomorrow. – lay
She asked me to ______ the papers on her desk. – lay
______ the blanket over the sleeping child. – Lay
Don’t ______ wet towels on the bed. – lay
We watched them ______ the foundation for the new house. – lay
______ your cards on the table. – Lay
I always ______ my keys by the door so I don’t lose them. – lay
Can you ______ the plates out for dinner? – lay
______ the map flat so we can all see it. – Lay
He helped me ______ the heavy box on the floor. – lay
Farmers ______ fresh straw in the barn each week. – lay
______ your pencils down when you finish the test. – Lay

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between lie and lay?: Lie means to rest or recline — the subject does it to itself, and no object follows: I need to lie down. Lay means to put something down — it always needs an object: Lay the book on the table.
Is it lay down or lie down?: Lie down when you recline yourself: I’m going to lie down for a nap. Use lay only when something is being placed: Lay the baby down gently.
What are the past forms of lie and lay?: Lie → lay → lain (Yesterday I lay on the couch). Lay → laid → laid (She laid the keys on the desk). The overlap — lay is also the past tense of lie — is why even native speakers mix these verbs up.
Is lie in “tell a lie” the same verb?: No — lie meaning “to say something untrue” is a separate, regular verb: lie → lied → lied. Only lie meaning “to recline” has the irregular forms lay and lain.