The verb lie (meaning "to recline" or "to be in a horizontal position") is irregular:
- Base form: lie
- Past tense: lay
- Past participle: lain
This verb is often confused with lay (which means "to put something down") because they share similar forms.
Usage Rules
- Use lie when the subject is reclining or resting.
- Use lay when you mean putting something down (this is a different verb).
- To form the perfect tenses, use lain with have/has/had.
- For the past simple, use lay (not to be confused with the present tense of lay).
Examples
| Tense/Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Present | I lie down for a nap every afternoon. |
| Past | Yesterday, I lay on the beach for hours. |
| Past Participle | I have lain in bed all morning. |
- Notice the past lay is the same spelling as the present lay (meaning "to put down"), but their meanings differ.
- Past participle lain is never used alone; it must be with have/has/had.
- Do not confuse with lay (to put down), whose past tense is laid.
Complete the sentence: I ______ down for a nap every afternoon. (I lie — base form)
lie
The base form 'lie' is used for actions in the present tense referring to reclining.
Summary
- lie = to recline (no object)
- Past tense: lay
- Past participle: lain
- Use with have/has/had for perfect tenses
- Common mistake: don't use laid (that's from the other verb lay)
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
