What's the difference between 'lay down' and 'lie down'?
The simple past tense of lay is laid, and the past participle is also laid. The simple past tense of lie is lay, and the past participle is lain.
Definition of lay and lie
- Lay (transitive): to put or place something down gently or carefully
- Lie (intransitive): to assume a horizontal position, to recline
- The past tense of lay is laid.
- The past tense of lie is lay.
Verb forms of 'lay' and 'lie'
Is 'lay' a regular or irregular verb?
Lay is an irregular verb. It does not follow the standard pattern of adding "-ed" to form the past tense. Instead, it changes to laid in the past tense and uses laid as the past participle.
Is 'lie' a regular or irregular verb?
Lie is an irregular verb. It does not follow the standard pattern of adding "-ed" to form the past tense. Instead, it changes to lay in the past tense and uses lain as the past participle.
When to use 'lay' vs. 'lie'
Use 'lay' (transitive): "Please lay the book on the table." (requires an object)
Use 'lie' (intransitive): "I need to lie down for a while." (no object needed)
Sentence examples with 'lay' and 'lie'
Please lay the keys on the counter.
I need to lie down for a while.
She lies on the sofa every evening.
She laid her head on his chest.
He lay down for an hour yesterday.
They laid the carpet carefully.
I have laid out all the papers.
She has lain there all morning.
We had laid the foundation by then.
Similar irregular verbs
Synonyms & nearby words
Word origin
From Old English lecgan "to place on the ground (or other surface); place in an orderly fashion," also "put down" (often by striking), from Proto-Germanic *lagojanan.
Practice: 'Lay' vs. 'Lie'
After a long day, I like to ______ down on the couch and rest.
Please ______ the keys on the counter when you’re done.
Yesterday, I ______ down for an hour before dinner.
She ______ her phone on the table and walked away.
The cat has ______ on the windowsill all morning.
We have ______ out all the papers for the meeting.
I need to ______ down for a bit before we leave.
FAQs
What's the difference: lie vs lay?
The post says "lie down" is intransitive, meaning to assume a horizontal position (e.g., "Please lie down"). "Lay down" is transitive, meaning to place something (e.g., "lay the book down").
Why is "I need to lay down" wrong?
The post explains that "lay down" is transitive and requires an object. Since you don't lay *something* down when reclining yourself, the intransitive "lie down" is correct.
What is the past tense of lay?
According to the post, the past tense of the base verb 'lay' (meaning to put or place something down) is 'laid'. 'Lay' is the present tense form of this verb.
How is lie (recline) different from lie (false)?
The post notes that 'to lie' meaning to assume a horizontal position is a different verb from 'to lie' meaning to say something untrue. The past tense differs (lie/lay/laid vs lie/lied/lied).
Use laid or lied?
The post states 'laid' is the past tense of the transitive verb 'lay', meaning to place something (e.g., "laid the box"). 'Lied' is the past tense of 'lie' meaning to tell a falsehood.
Sources
- 1 Merriam-Webster, definition of lay. Etymology online, origin of lay. Accessed October 23, 2025.
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