Lay vs. Lie — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 27, 2023
"Lay" requires a direct object and means to place something down. "Lie" doesn't need an object and means to recline. Common confusion arises from "lay" being the past tense of "lie."
Difference Between Lay and Lie
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Key Differences
"Lay" and "Lie" are two verbs that often lead to confusion in English. At their core, the two verbs have distinct meanings and usages, but their similarities cause frequent mix-ups.
"Lay" is a transitive verb, which means it requires a direct object. Essentially, "lay" refers to the act of placing something down. For instance, you might lay a book on the table. On the other hand, "Lie" is an intransitive verb, not requiring a direct object. It signifies the act of reclining or being in a horizontal position, like lying on the bed.
The real challenge with "Lay" and "Lie" isn’t their basic present tense forms but their conjugations. "Lay" in the past tense remains "laid," whereas "lie" in the past tense becomes "lay." This overlap creates a good deal of the confusion surrounding these words.
To further clarify, consider their respective participles. "Lay" has "laid" as its past participle, consistently. "Lie," however, has "lain" as its past participle. So, while yesterday you might have laid a book on the table, two days ago, you might have lain in bed longer than usual.
In colloquial speech, these rules are sometimes overlooked, leading to more widespread confusion. However, understanding the basic difference between the act of placing (lay) and the act of reclining (lie) can help in keeping them straight.
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Comparison Chart
Transitivity
Transitive (requires a direct object)
Intransitive (doesn’t require a direct object)
Basic Meaning
To place something down
To recline or be in a horizontal position
Example
Lay the book on the table.
Lie down on the sofa.
Past Tense
Laid
Lay
Past Participle
Laid
Lain
Compare with Definitions
Lay
To set or place in a particular position.
Lay the bricks carefully.
Lie
To remain in rest or repose.
Lie still and don’t move.
Lay
Put (something) down gently or carefully
She laid the baby in his cot
Lie
To speak falsely or deceitfully.
He chose to lie about his whereabouts.
Lay
Put down and set in position for use
It is advisable to have your carpet laid by a professional
Lie
A lie is an assertion that is believed to be false, typically used with the purpose of deceiving someone. The practice of communicating lies is called lying.
Lay
Used with an abstract noun so that the phrase formed has the same meaning as the verb related to the noun used, e.g. ‘lay the blame on’ means ‘to blame’
She laid great stress on little courtesies
Lie
(of a person or animal) be in or assume a horizontal or resting position on a supporting surface
I had to lie down because I was groggy
The body lay face downwards on the grass
Lily lay back on the pillows and watched him
Lay
(of a female bird, insect, reptile, or amphibian) produce (an egg) from inside the body
The hens were laying at the same rate as usual
Flamingos lay only one egg
Lie
Be, remain, or be kept in a specified state
Putting homeless families into private houses that would otherwise lie empty
The abbey lies in ruins today
Lay
Have sex with.
Lie
(of a place) be situated in a specified position or direction
Kexby lies about five miles due east of York
Lay
Follow (a specified course)
I'm going to lay a course for Ibiza harbour
Lie
(of an action, charge, or claim) be admissible or sustainable
An action for restitution would lie for money paid in breach of the law
Lay
Trim (a hedge) back, cutting the branches half through, bending them down, and interweaving them
Most hedges are no longer laid
Lie
Tell a lie or lies
‘I am sixty-five,’ she lied
Why had Ashenden lied about his visit to London?
Lay
The general appearance of an area of land
The lay of the surrounding countryside
Lie
The way, direction, or position in which something lies
He was familiarizing himself with the lie of the streets
Lay
An act of sexual intercourse.
Lie
An intentionally false statement
The whole thing is a pack of lies
They hint rather than tell outright lies
Lay
The laying of eggs or the period during which they are laid
The onset of lay may be marked by a dropping of the duck's abdomen
Lie
To be or place oneself at rest in a flat, horizontal, or recumbent position; recline
He lay under a tree to sleep.
Lay
A short lyric or narrative poem meant to be sung
A minstrel recited a series of lays
Lie
To be placed on or supported by a surface that is usually horizontal
Dirty dishes lay on the table. See Usage Note at lay1.
Lay
Not ordained into or belonging to the clergy
A lay preacher
Lie
To be or remain in a specified condition
The dust has lain undisturbed for years. He lay sick in bed.
Lay
Not having professional qualifications or expert knowledge, especially in law or medicine
A lay member of the Health Authority
Lie
To exist; reside
Our sympathies lie with the plaintiff.
Lay
To cause to lie down
Lay a child in its crib.
Lie
To consist or have as a basis. Often used with in
The strength of his performance lies in his training.
Lay
To place in or bring to a particular position
Lay the cloth over the painting.
Lie
To occupy a position or place
The lake lies beyond this hill.
Lay
To bury.
Lie
To extend
Our land lies between these trees and the river.
Lay
To cause to be in a particular condition
The remark laid him open to criticism.
Lie
To be buried in a specified place.
Lay
To put or set down
Lay new railroad track.
Lie
(Law) To be admissible or maintainable.
Lay
To produce and deposit
Lay eggs.
Lie
(Archaic) To stay for a night or short while.
Lay
To cause to subside; calm or allay
"chas'd the clouds ... and laid the winds" (John Milton).
Lie
To present false information with the intention of deceiving.
Lay
To put up to or against something
Lay an ear to the door.
Lie
To convey a false image or impression
Appearances often lie.
Lay
To put forward as a reproach or an accusation
They laid the blame on us.
Lie
To say or write as a lie.
Lay
To put or set in order or readiness for use
Lay the table for lunch.
Lie
The manner or position in which something is situated.
Lay
To devise; contrive
Lay plans.
Lie
A haunt or hiding place of an animal.
Lay
To spread over a surface
Lay paint on a canvas.
Lie
(Sports) The position of a golf ball that has come to a stop.
Lay
To place or give (importance)
Lay stress on clarity of expression.
Lie
A false statement deliberately presented as being true; a falsehood.
Lay
To impose as a burden or punishment
Lay a penalty upon the offender.
Lie
Something meant to deceive or mistakenly accepted as true
Learned his parents had been swindlers and felt his whole childhood had been a lie.
Lay
To present for examination
Lay a case before a committee.
Lie
(intransitive) To rest in a horizontal position on a surface.
The book lies on the table;
The snow lies on the roof;
He lies in his coffin
Lay
To put forward as a demand or an assertion
Laid claim to the estate.
Lie
(intransitive) To be placed or situated.
Lay
(Games) To place (a bet); wager.
Lie
To abide; to remain for a longer or shorter time; to be in a certain state or condition.
To lie waste; to lie fallow; to lie open; to lie hidden; to lie grieving; to lie under one's displeasure; to lie at the mercy of the waves
The paper does not lie smooth on the wall.
Lay
To aim (a gun or cannon).
Lie
Used with in: to be or exist; to belong or pertain; to have an abiding place; to consist.
Lay
To place together (strands) to be twisted into rope.
Lie
Used with with: to have sexual relations with.
Lay
To make in this manner
Lay up cable.
Lie
Used with on/upon: to be incumbent (on); to be the responsibility of a person.
Lay
Vulgar Slang To have sexual intercourse with.
Lie
(archaic) To lodge; to sleep.
Lay
To produce and deposit eggs.
Lie
To be still or quiet, like one lying down to rest.
Lay
To bet; wager.
Lie
(legal) To be sustainable; to be capable of being maintained.
Lay
(Nonstandard) To lie.
Lie
(intransitive) To give false information intentionally with intent to deceive.
When Pinocchio lies, his nose grows.
If you are found to have lied in court, you could face a penalty.
While a principle-based approach might claim that lying is always morally wrong, the casuist would argue that, depending upon the details of the case, lying might or might not be illegal or unethical. The casuist might conclude that a person is wrong to lie in legal testimony under oath, but might argue that lying actually is the best moral choice if the lie saves a life.
Lay
(Nautical) To put oneself into the position indicated.
Lie
(intransitive) To convey a false image or impression.
Photographs often lie.
Lay
Past tense of lie1.
Lie
To be mistaken or unintentionally spread false information.
Sorry, I haven't seen your keys anywhere...wait, I lied! They're right there on the coffee table.
Lay
The direction the strands of a rope or cable are twisted in
A left lay.
Lie
(golf) The terrain and conditions surrounding the ball before it is struck.
Lay
The amount of such twist.
Lie
(disc golf) The terrain and conditions surrounding the disc before it is thrown.
Lay
The state of one that lays eggs
A hen coming into lay.
Lie
(medicine) The position of a fetus in the womb.
Lay
Sexual intercourse.
Lie
A manner of lying; relative position.
Lay
A partner in sexual intercourse.
Lie
An animal's lair.
Lay
A narrative poem, such as one sung by medieval minstrels; a ballad.
Lie
An intentionally false statement; an intentional falsehood.
I knew he was telling a lie by his facial expression.
Lay
A song; a tune.
Lie
A statement intended to deceive, even if literally true.
Lay
Of, relating to, or involving the laity
A lay preacher.
Lie
(by extension) Anything that misleads or disappoints.
Lay
Not of or belonging to a particular profession; nonprofessional
A lay opinion as to the seriousness of the disease.
Lie
See Lye.
Lay
(transitive) To place down in a position of rest, or in a horizontal position.
To lay a book on the table;
To lay a body in the grave
A shower of rain lays the dust.
Lie
A falsehood uttered or acted for the purpose of deception; an intentional violation of truth; an untruth spoken with the intention to deceive.
The proper notion of a lie is an endeavoring to deceive another by signifying that to him as true, which we ourselves think not to be so.
It is willful deceit that makes a lie. A man may act a lie, as by pointing his finger in a wrong direction when a traveler inquires of him his road.
Lay
To cause to subside or abate.
Lie
A fiction; a fable; an untruth.
Lay
(transitive) To prepare (a plan, project etc.); to set out, establish (a law, principle).
Lie
Anything which misleads or disappoints.
Wishing this lie of life was o'er.
Lay
(transitive) To install certain building materials, laying one thing on top of another.
Lay brick;
Lay flooring
Lie
The position or way in which anything lies; the lay, as of land or country.
He surveyed with his own eyes . . . the lie of the country on the side towards Thrace.
Lay
(transitive) To produce and deposit an egg.
The hen laid an egg
Did dinosaurs lay their eggs in a nest?
Lie
To utter falsehood with an intention to deceive; to say or do that which is intended to deceive another, when he a right to know the truth, or when morality requires a just representation.
Lay
(transitive) To bet (that something is or is not the case).
I'll lay that he doesn't turn up on Monday.
Lie
To rest extended on the ground, a bed, or any support; to be, or to put one's self, in an horizontal position, or nearly so; to be prostate; to be stretched out; - often with down, when predicated of living creatures; as, the book lies on the table; the snow lies on the roof; he lies in his coffin.
The watchful traveler . . . Lay down again, and closed his weary eyes.
Lay
(transitive) To deposit (a stake) as a wager; to stake; to risk.
Lie
To be situated; to occupy a certain place; as, Ireland lies west of England; the meadows lie along the river; the ship lay in port.
Lay
To have sex with.
Lie
To abide; to remain for a longer or shorter time; to be in a certain state or condition; as, to lie waste; to lie fallow; to lie open; to lie hid; to lie grieving; to lie under one's displeasure; to lie at the mercy of the waves; the paper does not lie smooth on the wall.
Lay
(nautical) To take a position; to come or go.
To lay forward;
To lay aloft
Lie
To be or exist; to belong or pertain; to have an abiding place; to consist; - with in.
Envy lies between beings equal in nature, though unequal in circumstances.
He that thinks that diversion may not lie in hard labor, forgets the early rising and hard riding of huntsmen.
Lay
(legal) To state; to allege.
To lay the venue
Lie
To lodge; to sleep.
Whiles I was now trifling at home, I saw London, . . . where I lay one night only.
Mr. Quinion lay at our house that night.
Lay
(military) To point; to aim.
To lay a gun
Lie
To be still or quiet, like one lying down to rest.
The wind is loud and will not lie.
Lay
(ropemaking) To put the strands of (a rope, a cable, etc.) in their proper places and twist or unite them.
To lay a cable or rope
Lie
To be sustainable; to be capable of being maintained.
What he gets more of her than sharp words, let it lie on my head.
Lay
(printing) To place and arrange (pages) for a form upon the imposing stone.
Lie
A statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
Lay
(printing) To place (new type) properly in the cases.
Lie
Norwegian diplomat who was the first Secretary General of the United Nations (1896-1968)
Lay
To apply; to put.
Lie
Position or manner in which something is situated
Lay
To impose (a burden, punishment, command, tax, etc.).
To lay a tax on land
Lie
Be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
Lay
To impute; to charge; to allege.
Lie
Be lying, be prostrate; be in a horizontal position;
The sick man lay in bed all day
The books are lying on the shelf
We had to stand for the entire performance!
Lay
To present or offer.
To lay an indictment in a particular county
I have laid the facts of the matter before you.
Lie
Originate (in);
The problems dwell in the social injustices in this country
Lay
To lie: to rest in a horizontal position on a surface.
I found him laying on the floor.
Lie
Be and remain in a particular state or condition;
Lie dormant
Lay
When pertaining to position.
The baby lay in its crib and slept silently.
Lie
Tell an untruth; pretend with intent to deceive;
Don't lie to your parents
She lied when she told me she was only 29
Lay
(proscribed) To be in a horizontal position; to lie (from confusion with lie).
Lie
Have a place in relation to something else;
The fate of Bosnia lies in the hands of the West
The responsibility rests with the Allies
Lay
To don or put on (tefillin phylacteries]]).
Lie
Assume a reclining position;
Lie down on the bed until you feel better
Lay
Arrangement or relationship; layout.
The lay of the land
Lie
To be in a horizontal or reclining position.
I will lie on the hammock.
Lay
A share of the profits in a business.
Lie
To be situated or located.
The pen lies on the table.
Lay
The direction a rope is twisted.
Worm and parcel with the lay; turn and serve the other way.
Lie
An intentionally false statement.
Telling a lie breaks trust.
Lay
(colloquial) A casual sexual partner.
What was I, just another lay you can toss aside as you go on to your next conquest?
Lay
(colloquial) An act of sexual intercourse.
Lay
A place or activity where someone spends a significant portion of their time.
Lay
The laying of eggs.
The hens are off the lay at present.
Lay
(obsolete) A layer.
Lay
(obsolete) A basis or ground.
Lay
A lake.
Lay
A ballad or sung poem; a short poem or narrative, usually intended to be sung.
Lay
A lyrical, narrative poem written in octosyllabic couplets that often deals with tales of adventure and romance.
Lay
(obsolete) A meadow; a lea.
Lay
(obsolete) A law.
Lay
(obsolete) An obligation; a vow.
Lay
Not belonging to the clergy, but associated with them.
They seemed more lay than clerical.
A lay preacher; a lay brother
Lay
Non-professional; not being a member of an organized institution.
Lay
(card games) Not trumps.
A lay suit
Lay
(obsolete) Not educated or cultivated; ignorant.
Lay
Of Lie, to recline.
Lay
Of or pertaining to the laity, as distinct from the clergy; as, a lay person; a lay preacher; a lay brother.
Lay
Not educated or cultivated; ignorant.
Lay
Not belonging to, or emanating from, a particular profession; unprofessional; as, a lay opinion regarding the nature of a disease.
Lay
A song; a simple lyrical poem; a ballad.
Lay
A melody; any musical utterance.
The throstle cock made eke his lay.
Lay
The laity; the common people.
The learned have no more privilege than the lay.
Lay
A meadow. See Lea.
Lay
Faith; creed; religious profession.
Of the sect to which that he was bornHe kept his lay, to which that he was sworn.
Lay
A law.
Lay
An obligation; a vow.
They bound themselves by a sacred lay and oath.
Lay
That which lies or is laid or is conceived of as having been laid or placed in its position; a row; a stratum; a layer; as, a lay of stone or wood.
A viol should have a lay of wire strings below.
Lay
A wager.
Lay
A job, price, or profit.
Lay
A measure of yarn; a lea. See 1st Lea (a).
Lay
A plan; a scheme.
Lay
To cause to lie down, to be prostrate, or to lie against something; to put or set down; to deposit; as, to lay a book on the table; to lay a body in the grave; a shower lays the dust.
A stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den.
Soft on the flowery herb I found me laid.
Lay
To place in position; to establish firmly; to arrange with regularity; to dispose in ranks or tiers; as, to lay a corner stone; to lay bricks in a wall; to lay the covers on a table.
Lay
To prepare; to make ready; to contrive; to provide; as, to lay a snare, an ambush, or a plan.
Lay
To spread on a surface; as, to lay plaster or paint.
Lay
To cause to be still; to calm; to allay; to suppress; to exorcise, as an evil spirit.
After a tempest when the winds are laid.
Lay
To cause to lie dead or dying.
Brave Cæneus laid Ortygius on the plain,The victor Cæneus was by Turnus slain.
Lay
To deposit, as a wager; to stake; to risk.
I dare lay mine honorHe will remain so.
Lay
To bring forth and deposit; as, to lay eggs.
Lay
To apply; to put.
She layeth her hands to the spindle.
Lay
To impose, as a burden, suffering, or punishment; to assess, as a tax; as, to lay a tax on land.
The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Lay
To impute; to charge; to allege.
God layeth not folly to them.
Lay the fault on us.
Lay
To impose, as a command or a duty; as, to lay commands on one.
Lay
To present or offer; as, to lay an indictment in a particular county; to lay a scheme before one.
Lay
To state; to allege; as, to lay the venue.
Lay
To point; to aim; as, to lay a gun.
Lay
To put the strands of (a rope, a cable, etc.) in their proper places and twist or unite them; as, to lay a cable or rope.
Lay
To place and arrange (pages) for a form upon the imposing stone.
And laid those proud roofs bare to summer's rain.
Let brave spirits . . . not be laid by.
No selfish man will be concerned to lay out himself for the good of his country.
Lay
To produce and deposit eggs.
Lay
To take a position; to come or go; as, to lay forward; to lay aloft.
Lay
To lay a wager; to bet.
Lay
A narrative song with a recurrent refrain
Lay
A narrative poem of popular origin
Lay
Put into a certain place or abstract location;
Put your things here
Set the tray down
Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children
Place emphasis on a certain point
Lay
Put in a horizontal position;
Lay the books on the table
Lay the patient carefully onto the bed
Lay
Prepare or position for action or operation;
Lay a fire
Lay the foundation for a new health care plan
Lay
Lay eggs;
This hen doesn't lay
Lay
Impose as a duty, burden, or punishment;
Lay a responsibility on someone
Lay
Concerning those not members of the clergy;
Set his collar in laic rather than clerical position
The lay ministry
The choir sings both sacred and secular music
Lay
Not of or from a profession;
A lay opinion as to the cause of the disease
Lay
To put or place in a horizontal position.
Lay the papers on the desk.
Lay
To put down, especially gently or carefully.
Lay the baby in the crib.
Lay
To prepare and position for action.
Lay the groundwork for the project.
Lay
To produce and deposit.
Hens lay eggs.
Common Curiosities
Is "lying" the act of telling an untruth or reclining?
"Lying" can mean both, but context will clarify whether it's about deceit or reclining.
If I want to say I’m placing a book down, do I use "lay" or "lie"?
You would use "lay," as in "I lay the book down."
What's the past participle of "lay"?
The past participle of "lay" is "laid."
What is the command form of "lie"?
The command form of "lie" is "lie," as in "lie down."
What does "laid" refer to?
"Laid" is the past tense and past participle of "lay."
How do you tell the difference between "lay" and "lie"?
"Lay" means to place something down and needs an object. "Lie" means to recline and doesn't need an object.
If I was reclining yesterday, which verb do I use?
You would say "I lay down yesterday."
Which verb do birds do to eggs?
Birds "lay" eggs.
Can "lay" ever be used without an object?
Typically no, "lay" is transitive and requires a direct object.
Which verb requires a direct object, lay or lie?
"Lay" requires a direct object, while "Lie" does not.
Is "lay" the past tense of "lie"?
Yes, "lay" is the past tense of "lie."
Is "lying" the present participle of "lie" for both meanings?
Yes, "lying" can mean reclining or telling an untruth, depending on context.
What do I use if I want to say I've been in bed all day?
You would say "I have lain in bed all day."
Which verb indicates an action of deceit?
The verb "lie" can indicate deceit when referring to telling an untruth.
How can I remember the difference between "lay" and "lie"?
Think of "lay" as placing something (needs an object) and "lie" as reclining (no object needed).
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
