Laying vs. Lying

Laying vs. Lying

The distinction between “laying” and “lying” often trips people up (causes them to make a mistake) because both words relate to positioning oneself or something else, but they are used differently:

• Lying refers to reclining or resting in a horizontal position. It does not take a direct object. Here’s how it’s used:
  • Present: “I am lying on the bed.”
  • Past: “I was lying on the bed yesterday.”
  • Past participle: “I have been lying on the bed for an hour.”
• Laying involves placing or setting something down, and it requires a direct object. Here’s how it’s used:
  • Present: “I am laying the book on the table.”
  • Past: “I laid the book on the table yesterday.”
  • Past participle: “I have laid the book on the table.”

To help remember:

• If you’re talking about yourself or someone else reclining or resting, you use “lie” (lie, lay, lain, lying).
• If you’re talking about placing something down, you use “lay” (lay, laid, laid, laying).

Here are some mnemonic devices:

• Think of “lie” as similar to “recline”; both involve resting without an object.
• “Lay” something down, like laying a brick or laying a blanket.

Remember, “lay” needs an object, but “lie” does not.

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