Definition of “lie vs. lay”
The confusion between the words “lie” and “lay” can be attributed to their similarity in spelling and sound, as well as their overlapping meanings. Both words relate to prepositions or placement, but they do so in different contexts due to their distinct meanings. However, the term “lie” has two different meanings: telling an untruth and resting in a horizontal position.
Lie
… is an intransitive verb that primarily means to be or rest in a horizontal position, without placing or moving something else. It doesn’t require a direct object. Also, it is a noun that means “untruth.”
Lay
… is a transitive verb that primarily means to place or put something down, typically in a flat position. It requires a direct object to indicate what is being placed or laid down.
To avoid confusion, consider the context and whether you’re describing an action of reclining/resting (use “lie”) or an action of placing something down (use “lay”). The primary differentiation can be found in their particular contexts and the typical domains in which they are employed.
Note: You lie down, but you lay something down.
Using the word “lie”
When functioning as a noun, “lie” is essentially an untruth, but it’s the verb form of “lie” that often poses difficulties in distinguishing it from the verb “lay”. The verb can be used to tell an untruth, or to say that one is resting in a horizontal position. The following examples will illustrate the distinct meanings of this word:
“Lie” as a verb (meaning: to rest in a horizontal position)
The usage of “lie” means to be in a flat or horizontal position, typically with the body or a part of the body resting on a surface. It implies reclining or positioning oneself horizontally.
Examples
- After a long day, I like to lie down and rest on the couch.
- The dog lies in the sun and enjoys the warmth.
- Anna likes to lie on the beach and soak up the sun.
“Lie” as a verb (meaning: to tell an untruth)
In this context, “lie” means to intentionally provide false or deceptive information, typically with the intent to deceive or mislead someone. It can be used intransitively, meaning it does not require a direct object. However, it can be used transitively when specifying what is being lied about.
Examples
- Angela lies about her age to get discounts.
- He lied about his whereabouts last night.
- You shouldn’t lie to your friends or parents.
“Lie” as a noun
The word “lie” also functions as a noun in the English language, and refers to a false statement or an intentional untruth. When you encounter “lie” as a noun, it’s related to falsehoods and dishonesty in communication. Let’s consider a few practical examples to illustrate the concept:
Examples
- Anna couldn’t distinguish between the truth and a lie.
- You should avoid telling any lies under oath.
- The politician was caught in a web of lies during the investigation.
Tip for using “lie” correctly
Using “lie” correctly can be tricky because it has distinct meanings and forms. Here are some synonyms for the verb “lie”:
| Synonyms | Examples |
| Recline (verb) | I like to lie on the couch and relax. |
| I like to recline on the couch and relax. | |
| Rest (verb) | My boyfriend wanted to lie down and recuperate. |
| My boyfriend wanted to rest down and recuperate. | |
| Falsehood (noun) | It's important to be truthful; even a small lie can erode trust over time. |
| It's important to be truthful; even a small falsehood can erode trust over time. | |
| Untruth (noun) | Spreading lies about colleagues can damage workplace relationships. |
| Spreading untruths about colleagues can damage workplace relationships. |
Using the word “lay”
The word “lay” means “to set” or “to place” something in a resting position. Moreover, you can check if you have used the term correctly by replacing it with “to place”.
“Lay” as a verb
The verb “lay” functions as a transitive verb, and the past tense of the verb is “laid”.
Examples
- She decided to lay the book on the table before heading out.
- The workers will lay the bricks carefully on the floor before starting to work.
- I always lay my keys in the same spot.
Tip for using “lay” correctly
Use “lay” when you want to emphasize that you have placed or positioned a direct object. Synonyms for the verb are illustrated in the following:
| Synonyms | Examples |
| Put | Please lay the key on the table. |
| Please put the key on the table. | |
| Place | Anna, can you please lay the book on the shelf? |
| Anna, can you please place the book on the shelf? | |
| Position | Please lay the new magazines on the table in the waiting room. |
| Please position the new magazines on the table in the waiting room. |
Test yourself!
Practice sheet
Test your ability to differentiate between “lie” and “lay” by filling in the spaces in the following 10 sentences. Once you’ve finished, you can check the second tab for the correct answers. This allows you to verify your comprehension of the contrast between these two terms.
- She will carefully __________ out the ingredients for the recipe.
- My cat likes to __________ in the sun on warm afternoons.
- Jane __________ her newborn in the crib.
- Please __________ down and rest if you’re feeling tired.
- All she wants is to __________ down after the long hike.
- It is essential to __________ still during an MRI scan.
- Would you mind __________ the dishes on the table, please?
- Naomi likes to __________ on the beach in the afternoon.
- Remember to __________ out all the tools before starting the project.
- Some people prefer to __________ in the shade on hot summer days.
- She will carefully lay out the ingredients for the recipe.
- My cat likes to lie in the sun on warm afternoons.
- Jane laid her newborn in the crib.
- Please lie down and rest if you’re feeling tired.
- All she wants is to lie down after the long hike.
- It is essential to lie still during an MRI scan.
- Would you mind laying the dishes on the table, please?
- Naomi likes to lie on the beach in the afternoon.
- Remember to lay out all the tools before starting the project.
- Some people prefer to lie in the shade on hot summer days.
FAQs
“Lie” is an intransitive verb and means to recline, rest, or be in a horizontal or resting position without placing or moving something else. Be careful, the verb can also refer to a noun meaning telling an untruth!
“Lay” is a transitive verb and requires a direct object in the sentence to indicate that something is done to someone or something.
The verb “lay” begins with the letters “L-A” and has a long “a”, that can be replaced with “to place”. “Lie” on the other hand starts with the letters “L-I” and can be substituted with “to recline”.
Since the bed is a more or less flat surface, the correct answer is “lying in or on the bed”. The correct verb here fore is “lie”.
As well as the bed, the couch is a flat surface for you to lie on. In this case, “lying” is the correct present participle.
