In my Women’s Conversation Club yesterday, we talked about the difference between “lie” and “lay”.

Do you know the difference?

Here’s the short answer if you haven't got time to read the whole post!

Lie =  to arrange your body into a horizontal position

Lay = put something somewhere

Also, we always “lay” + something. It needs an object.

But “lie” has no object.

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Here’s a longer answer with more detail!

LIE

1. say something that isn’t true

This is a regular verb: lie - lied - lied

Don’t lie to me!

Sorry, I lied to you yesterday, but I’m ready to tell you the truth now.

I know he’s been lying to me.

2. to put your body into a horizontal position so you’re not standing or sitting.

This is an irregular verb: lie - lay - lain

It’s also intransitive, which means it has no object. You can’t put a noun after “lie”.

I have a headache. I’ll think I’ll lie down for half an hour.

The cat lay by the fire, fast asleep.

I love lying in bed with a good book.

LAY

put something somewhere or put something into a particular position

This is an irregular verb: lay - laid - laid

It’s also transitive. It needs an object so it’s followed by a noun or pronoun.

I went to the cemetery to lay some flowers on my grandmother’s grave.

The baby finally went to sleep and I laid her down in her cot.

We also say:

Chickens lay eggs.

These eggs were laid this morning.

Lay the table = to put plates, knives, forks, glasses etc onto the table before a meal

Can you lay the table while I finish cooking dinner?

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COMMON MISTAKES

English learners, and even native speakers, often confuse the second meaning of “lie” with “lay”.

I need to lay down. ❌

I need to lie down. ✔️

I was laying on the floor. ❌

I was lying on the floor. ✔️