When do i use lie or lay

A lie is an untruth. The verb lie means to tell a falsehood. Sometimes children lie to get out of trouble. If to tell an untruth were the only meaning of lie , using these two words properly would be less of a challenge. However, lie can also mean to recline or to rest in a flat position.

Notice this example:. The fat cat likes to lie in the sun. This mnemonic should help you remember that lay , which begins with the letters L-A, has a long A sound like its definition: to place. On the other hand, lie , which starts with the letters L-I, has a long I sound like its definition: to recline. Again, here are a few rules to help you. In the present tense, you often use a direct object with lay. Adverbs Adverb phrases Adverbs and adverb phrases: position Adverbs and adverb phrases: typical errors Adverbs: forms Adverbs: functions Adverbs: types Comparison: adverbs worse, more easily Fairly Intensifiers very, at all Largely Much , a lot , lots , a good deal : adverbs Pretty Quite Rather Really Scarcely Very.

Above or over? Across , over or through? Advice or advise? Affect or effect? All or every? All or whole? Allow , permit or let?

Almost or nearly? Alone , lonely , or lonesome? Along or alongside? Already , still or yet? Also , as well or too? Alternate ly , alternative ly Although or though? Altogether or all together? Amount of , number of or quantity of? Any more or anymore?

Anyone , anybody or anything? Apart from or except for? Arise or rise? Around or round? Arouse or rouse? As or like? As , because or since? As , when or while? Been or gone? Begin or start? Beside or besides? Between or among? Born or borne? Bring , take and fetch Can , could or may? Classic or classical? Come or go? Consider or regard? Consist , comprise or compose? Content or contents? Different from , different to or different than?

Do or make? Down , downwards or downward? During or for? Each or every? East or eastern ; north or northern? Economic or economical? Efficient or effective? Elder , eldest or older , oldest? End or finish? Especially or specially? Except or except for? If the sentence makes sense with some form of place , use the corresponding form of lay. Otherwise, use the appropriate form of lie.

Julia could certainly place her briefcase on her desk, so the past tense of lay is correct. Let us know in the comments below if you find these tips useful, and whether you know of any other tricks for distinguishing lie and lay. Topics: lie , lay , laying , misused words , lying. Customer Login Create New Account. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Log in Sign Up. What to Know Lay means "to place something down flat," while lie means "to be in a flat position on a surface. More Words At Play. Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Oct. Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Nov. Time Traveler. Love words? Need even more definitions?