Lie vs. LayLie vs. Lay

Oh the agony…Oh the agony…

Lie Lie

►This means to “recline” or “be in a flat This means to “recline” or “be in a flat position”position”

► It’s always intransitive, which means it It’s always intransitive, which means it doesn’t have an objectdoesn’t have an object

►Most often refers to people and animalsMost often refers to people and animals►Forms of:Forms of:

lie(s), lay, am/is/was lying, has/have lainlie(s), lay, am/is/was lying, has/have lain

Samples for “lie”Samples for “lie”

► I’m tired, so I need to lie down.I’m tired, so I need to lie down.►The cat lay on the rug and purred.The cat lay on the rug and purred.►You have been lying on the bed long You have been lying on the bed long

enough.enough.►The baby has lain quietly sleeping in The baby has lain quietly sleeping in

her crib for an hour. Yay.her crib for an hour. Yay.►He had lain down on my only clean He had lain down on my only clean

shirt.shirt.

Tricksy things about LieTricksy things about Lie

Keep in mind that not only do people and Keep in mind that not only do people and animals “lie” or recline; objects and places do animals “lie” or recline; objects and places do too: too:

► Let the apples lie where they fall.Let the apples lie where they fall.► The town lies by the edge of a small bay.The town lies by the edge of a small bay.► The tractor was lying on its side in the middle The tractor was lying on its side in the middle

of the field.of the field.

► Lay is the past tense of lie. Because it is.Lay is the past tense of lie. Because it is.

Ex: Ex: I felt sick this morning, so I lay down for a nap.I felt sick this morning, so I lay down for a nap.

Lay (lay, laid, laying, laid)Lay (lay, laid, laying, laid)

► Is used to mean “put” or “place” and Is used to mean “put” or “place” and it’s always transitive, requiring an it’s always transitive, requiring an object (shown below w/an “o”)object (shown below w/an “o”)

oo

You may You may laylay your coat on the chair. your coat on the chair.

oo

Did you notice where I Did you notice where I laidlaid my purse? my purse?

More samples for layMore samples for lay

oo

The workmen The workmen have been layinghave been laying tile in tile in the kitchen.the kitchen.

oo

Today we Today we laidlaid the cornerstone for the the cornerstone for the new building.new building.

Now create the chart on your Now create the chart on your own paper:own paper:

RECLINE, IN FLAT POSITION:RECLINE, IN FLAT POSITION:

lie lie (lies)(lies) lay lay (am/is/was)(am/is/was) lying lying (has/have)(has/have) lainlain

PLACEMENT/PUTPLACEMENT/PUT

Lay (s) Lay (s) laid laid layinglaying (has/have) laid(has/have) laid

Go get the Go get the groovygroovy grammar grammar books and let’s do the exercises books and let’s do the exercises

on page 355.on page 355.