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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #118080: Lay or Lie
    > Other English exercises on the same topics: Frequent mistakes | Find the word | Synonyms [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Placement test beginners: Check your spelling - Past simple or present perfect - Although / in spite of / despite - Differences between Like and As - Again/ back - FOR and its use - Do or Make? - 13 ways of seeing
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    Lay or Lie


    Ever been corrected - or probably you corrected someone - for saying, "I am going to lay down" when the correct way to make that statement is "I am going to lie down?"

     

    In either case, you're pardoned because these two little verbs, "lay" and "lie", have been a hiccup to English speakers for many years. So I will not blame anyone for being among the confused (like me).

    I only hope this lesson can help us figure it out.

    LAY or LIE

    Lay- to place (something or someone) down in a flat position.

    Lie - to be in a flat position on a surface. Therefore, the difference is simple : LAY is a transitive verb which requires an object; a person or thing to be placed down.

    Other examples:

    - Lay the books on the table, please.

    - You should lay down your cards.

    On the other hand, LIE is an intransitive verb which does not require an object. It is for someone or something moving on their own or something that is already in position.

    - Are you okay? You can lie down on the sofa.

    - Alice cries as she lies in bed.

    That is head-spinning enough, but it gets worse when we start using the words beyond their present tense:

    - lay - laid - laid - laying

    - lie - lay - lain - lying

    And there's the unrelated verb meaning, "to make false statements." - lie - lied - lied - lying

    Yes, I agree it is complicated, but we would not rush ourselves. Let us focus on the present tense form

    - they do the most work.

    Remember:

    - "Lay" requires an object (you lay a person or thing down.)

    - "Lie" does not (a person or thing lies down.)

    Complete each sentence carefully with lay or lie.

     



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    English exercise "Lay or Lie" created by anuesther with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from anuesther]
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    1. I'm not feeling well. I'm going to down for an hour.

    2. Could you help me my child in her crib, please?

    3. Can you the cookies out in a tray? We have to serve them right away.

    4. The baby in the stroller in the hallway.

    5. Is it okay if my grandma on this bench? She is tired.

    6. The cat often on the rug when Marshall reads.

    7. Peter, you should these books on your table.

    8. When Sabina comes home every afternoon, she her coat on the chair by the door.

    9. your weapons down and put your hands up!

    10. They just around the house, all to say doing nothing!










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