Lay Or Lie
Lay is a transitive verb. Transitive verbs need a subject and one or more direct objects.
The present tense is ‘lay’. Example: I (subject) lay the blanket (direct object) on the bed.
The past tense is ‘laid’. Example: I laid the blanket on the bed.
The past tense is ‘laid’. Example: I laid the blanket on the bed.
Lie is an intransitive verb. Intransitive verbs don’t need direct objects.
The present tense is ‘lie’. Example: The girls lie between the rocks.
The past tense is ‘lay’. Example: The girls lay between the rocks.
The past tense is ‘lay’. Example: The girls lay between the rocks.
Most common mistake:
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Don’t use the past tense of ‘lay’ when you should use the past tense of ‘lie’.
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Don’t say: He laid on the beach. Do say: He lay on the beach.
Source for Image
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© Amanda Patterson
Posted on: 5th September 2012
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