lay vs lie :

lay or lie

You lay down the book you’ve been reading, but you lie down when you go to bed. In the present tense, if the subject is acting on some other object, it’s “lay.” If the subject is lying down, then it’s “lie.” This distinction is often not made in informal speech, partly because in the past tense the words sound much more alike: “He lay down for a nap,” but “He laid down the law.” If the subject is already at rest, you might “let it lie.” If a helping verb is involved, you need the past participle forms. “Lie” becomes “lain” and “lay” becomes “laid”: “He had just lain down for a nap,” and “His daughter had laid the gerbil on his nose.”

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Definitions

  • n  a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
  • n  a narrative poem of popular origin
  • v  put into a certain place or abstract location
  • v  put in a horizontal position
    lay the books on the table
    lay the patient carefully onto the bed
  • v  prepare or position for action or operation
    lay a fire
    lay the foundation for a new health care plan
  • v  lay eggs
    This hen doesn't lay
  • v  impose as a duty, burden, or punishment
    lay a responsibility on someone
  • v  be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
  • v  be lying, be prostrate; be in a horizontal position
    The sick man lay in bed all day
  • v  originate (in)
  • v  be and remain in a particular state or condition
  • v  tell an untruth; pretend with intent to deceive
  • v  have a place in relation to something else
  • v  assume a reclining position
  • s  characteristic of those who are not members of the clergy
    the lay ministry
  • s  not of or from a profession
    a lay opinion as to the cause of the disease

  • n  a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
  • n  Norwegian diplomat who was the first Secretary General of the United Nations (1896-1968)
  • n  position or manner in which something is situated
  • v  be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
  • v  be lying, be prostrate; be in a horizontal position
  • v  originate (in)
  • v  be and remain in a particular state or condition
    lie dormant
  • v  tell an untruth; pretend with intent to deceive
    Don't lie to your parents
    She lied when she told me she was only 29
  • v  have a place in relation to something else
    The fate of Bosnia lies in the hands of the West
    The responsibility rests with the Allies
  • v  assume a reclining position
    lie down on the bed until you feel better
News & Articles

  • Obama to lay out climate change plan in speech on Tuesday
    By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Saturday that he will outline a climate change plan on Tuesday centered around reducing pollution from carbon emissions as he attempts to make good on a pledge for his second term. "This Tuesday, I'll lay out my vision for where I believe we need to go - a national plan to reduce carbon pollution, prepare our country for the ...
    June 23, 2013 - Reuters via Yahoo! News
  • Back in the Climate Game: Obama Will Lay Out Global-Warming Plan
    Since the death of energy reform in Congress, climate change hasn’t been a big topic of discussion in Washington. But on Tuesday, President Obama will lay out a plan to reduce carbon emissions and prepare for global warming, the White House says. Obama tweeted a...        
    June 23, 2013 - ABC News
  • BASEBALL: Lay goes the distance in E’ville’s win
    Edwardsville Post 199 pitcher Alex Lay is no stranger to throwing late in ball games after making 12 relief appearances this past spring with the high school team.
    June 22, 2013 - Edwardsville Intelligencer