“Lay” vs. “Lie”: When to use which

The difference between “lay” and “lie”

The verb lay means to put or set something down.¹ The verb lie means to remain or rest horizontally.² Since they have similar meanings, how do you know which one to use?

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“Lay” is a transitive verb. This type of verb needs something to act upon. Its present participle is “laying,” and its past participle and past tense are “laid.”

“Lie” is an intransitive verb, so it does not need a direct object to act on. Its present participle is “lying,” and its past participle is “lain.” However, the past tense of “lie” is “lay,” which can make things confusing.

Since “lay” needs a verb to act upon, saying “I need to lay down” would be incorrect. You would need to specify exactly what is being laid down. Instead, writing “I need to lie down” would be correct since this statement is general and doesn’t include a direct object.

When to use “lay”

In order to correctly use “lay” in a sentence, something specific needs to be set down. Remember, “lay” is a transitive verb, and this type of verb needs someone or something to receive its action. Here are some examples of “lay” used correctly in the present tense:

• I hope my chicken will lay some eggs this season.

In the example sentence above, the eggs were the direct object of the transitive verb “lay.” If you wrote the sentence, “I hope my chicken will lie some eggs this season” that would be incorrect since “lie” is an intransitive verb and doesn’t require a direct object.

• My roommate’s cat likes to lay its toys neatly under the couch.

In the example sentence above, the toys were the direct object receiving the action. If you were to write, “My roommate’s cat likes to lie its toys neatly under the couch” that would be incorrect since a direct object is used.

• Please lay the rug down in the corner.

In the example sentence above, the rug is the direct object receiving the action. Using “lie” in this sentence instead of “lay” would be incorrect as the rug is the direct object.

Here are some examples of how to use the present participle of “lay” correctly in a sentence:

• He prefers laying his backpack under the desk.
• Try laying the towels in the sun so that they dry faster.
• I am laying my keys on the counter as soon as I get home.

Here are some examples of how to use “lay” correctly in the past participle or past tense:

• He laid the keys on the counter yesterday.
• I laid your backpack on the floor next to your jacket.
• I laid the water bottle down sideways since there wasn’t enough room in the refrigerator.

When to use “lie”

Remember, “lie” is another way of saying “to recline.” Knowing when to use lie in the past tense can get tricky since the past tense of “lie” is “lay.”

Here are some examples of how to use “lie” in the present tense correctly in a sentence:

• He likes to lie down after work.
• I love to lie in the sun at the beach.
• I wish I could lie next to my dog without disturbing her.

Here are some examples of how to use “lie” in its present participle correctly:

• I’m spending all day lying next to the pool.
• My dog is lying down next to me on the floor while I work from home.
• Her partner is always leaving his dirty clothes lying around the house.

Here are some examples of how to use “lie” in its past tense correctly:

• Yesterday, I felt dizzy and immediately lay down.
• On Thursday, he lay down right after work.
• My first dog liked to lay on the rug after a long walk.

“Lie” is used correctly in the sentences above because it does not take a direct object.

Tips to remember the difference between “lay” and “lie”

An easy way to tell the difference between “lay” and “lie” is to think of “lay” as a synonym for the verb “place” and “lie” as a synonym for the verb “recline.” For example, you wouldn’t write “I place down in the sun.” That sentence doesn’t make much sense! Instead, you would write, “I lie down in the sun.”

Another tip that many writers find helpful is to use this mnemonic: LAy means to pLAce and LIe means to recLIne.

Knowing when to use “lay” and “lie” will dramatically improve your writing. Even though these verbs can be tricky, you’re now equipped to use them correctly in your next piece.

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