Advanced Nitty Gritty: Lay, Lie, Laid

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I'm mostly posting this here for my own quick referencing, although you may also find it informative. Almost everything here came from:  data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/no-lielay/ (give credit where credit is due)


Example of to recline in present tense:
I lie down for a nap at two o'clock every day.

Same example as above in past tense:
I lay down yesterday for a nap.

Same example as above with a participle:
I have lain down every day this week.

Example of to put or place something in present tense:
I lay the book down.

Same example as above in past tense:
I laid the book down.

Same example as above with a participle:
I have laid the book down.

Example of to tell a falsehood in present tense:
I am tempted to lie about my weight.

Same example as above in past tense:
I lied about my weight when I renewed my driver's license.

Same example as above with a participle:
I have lied about my weight each time I have renewed my driver's license.

As you noticed from the chart, both lay and lie appear in two boxes. Just because English couldn't be complicated enough. (Yes, it gives me a headache, too, which is why I wrote this down.)

Lie: You lie down today; you lay down yesterday; you have lain down before.

Lay: Please lay the book down now; you laid the book down yesterday; you have laid that book down before.

'Reclining' is more for our actions or actions of other living things, whereas 'to put or place' is usually for other objects (objects, not people or animals, or so I am told).


There are lots of examples in the comments of this website: data.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/no-lielay/


I learn best by looking at examples, so here are some more:

I am lying down for a nap after laying my son down for his nap. He is finally lying down and sleeping. (Personally, I would reword this so it isn't so confusing... Split it into two sentences and add more details)

The book is lying on the table (present tense). The book lay on the table (past tense)

I could see the cat lying in the grass (present tense). The dog lay beside her (present tense), partially lying on her chew toy (Reclining).

I lay my head on the pillow. (present tense)
I will lay my head on the pillow. (future tense)
I laid my head on the pillow. (past tense)

I lay down and turned the tv on.

I am lying in bed and watching tv.

This is where their priorities lie. (as present tense) (or, to reword it, "Their priorities lie here.")


Got a headache yet? Good. So do I. And misery loves company. I think we all need a cookie or six after reading that.

PS. Please don't ask me for clarification – I'm not an expert in this area and tend to look it up more often than I care to admit.


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