Differences between LAY and LIE



Differences between LAY and LIE :



LAY is a regular verb - except for its spelling.
Its forms are to lay, laying, laid & laid.

LAY - (verb) : (Transitive verb + object + adverb / preposition
It means - to put, especially, carefully - in a flat position
It means – to place

1. They laid the injured woman down on the grass.
2. Lay the tent down on the grass and I'll see how to put it up.

It means - to lay a table = to put plates or knives on the table)
It means - to lay an egg (a birds's way of having a baby)

1. She laid the table.
2. She covered it with a cloth, knives and fork ready for a meal.


LIE is an irregular verb.
Its forms are to lie, lying, lay & lain.

It means - to be down & to be flat.
It has no object.

1. Don't lie in bed all day.
2. I threw myself on the bed and lay there all day.


LIE - (verb) : lay - lain
Present participle - lying
It means - to be or remain in a flat position on surface.

1. Don't move. Lie still
2. The final decision lies with the minister.


LIE - (verb) lied - to make an untrue statement in order deceive
Present participle lying

1. He lied himself out of trouble.

Differences between LAY and LIE



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