Ask Difference

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."
Lay vs. Lie — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Lay and Lie

ADVERTISEMENT

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.
ADVERTISEMENT

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).

Share Your Discovery

Share via Social Media
Embed This Content
Embed Code
Share Directly via Messenger
Link
Previous Comparison
Generic vs. Genericize
Next Comparison
Fair vs. Carnival

Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza 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.
Tayyaba 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.

Popular Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

New Comparisons

Trending Terms