Lay vs Lie

What is the difference?

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Lay (Verb)

Definition:

“Lay” means to put down or place something in a horizontal or resting position. It is a transitive verb, which means it requires a direct object.

Usage:

In the very first place, the term “lay” is used when a person places an object down (on the floor). For instance, “Please lay the book on the table” indicates that the book is being placed on the table. The past tense of “lay” is “laid,” as in “She laid the keys on the counter.

Examples:

  • She lay the blanket on the bed.
  • Could you please lay the plates on the counter?
  • The hen will lay eggs in the morning.

Synonyms:

  • Place
  • Set
  • Put
  • Position

Lie (Verb)

Definition:

“Lie” means to recline or be in a resting position on a surface. It is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not require a direct object.

Usage:

The word “lie” is used in case when someone or something is in a flat or resting position. For example, “I need to lie down for a while” indicates that the person is going to recline. Similarly, the past tense of “lie” is written as “lay,” i.e., “Yesterday, I lay down for an hour.” This could be a very confusing for a beginner or newbie.

Examples:

  • He wants to lie on the couch after dinner.
  • To be honest, I can’t lie about how I feel anymore.
  • He had to lie still for the X-ray.

Synonyms:

  • Recline
  • Rest
  • Lounge
  • Stretch out

Key Differences:

The only difference between the two words is the definition of 'lay' and 'lie' and how they are employed in a sentence.

"Lay" is an action verb; therefore, you use it with a direct object, and it implies putting something down.

On the other hand, "lie" is an intransitive verb implying one's position on a flat surface or state of lying down.

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Confusing Words