> Other English exercises on the same topic: Frequent mistakes [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? - Do-don't-does-doesn't
	> Double-click on words you don't understand

Use of Verbs 'lay' and 'lie'

Some Tips to Note

Lay means 'put down flat/carefully'.

Lie means 'to be down or become horizontal'.

Lay is a transitive verb. So it always needs an object.

But lie is an intransitive verb which has no object. Therefore, lie is never used in its passive form. Whenever there is an object, use the appropriate form of lay.

The verb lie (meaning 'to say things that are not true') adds to the confusion.

Additionally, there is a tendency to use lay in cases where Standard English has lie.

 Eg: I am going to lay down for a while (standard English is lie down).

Twitter Share
English exercise "Use of Verbs 'lay' and 'lie'" created by anonyme with The test builder.
Click here to see the current stats of this English test

Please log in to save your progress.

1. Tom was lyingwas layinghas laidI don't know tiles on the floor when his friend visited him yesterday.

2. Please lays downlainlie downI don't know on the floor for a while.

3. Let the sleeping children layslielainI don't know without being disturbed.

4. I lain downlays downlie downI don't know for a short while before lunch every day.

5. The hen never layslayingliesI don't know more than one egg in a day.

6. The invoice for payment has lainhas been laidhas laidI don't know on the director's table for more than a week as of today.

7. Tom has liedlay downhad laidI don't know for a nap a few minutes ago.

8. Peter lyinglaysliesI don't know carpet for a living.

9. Tom was layinghas lainhas laidI don't know down his keys when someone took them.

10. Peter lieslaylaysI don't know in the sun for an hour yesterday evening.

11. Please lielaylainI don't know the child on the sofa for a while.

12. He laidlainliesI don't know the child in its crib.