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Lie or lay?
Which verb should be used?


"Lie" means "to be in a horizontal position". It is an irregular verb and its forms are:
lie - lay - lain - lying. The verb never takes an object, so you cannot say "to lie something". Usually we say "somebody or something lies somewhere".
Example sentences:
John was lying on the bed when I came into the room.
The cat was lying dead on the road.
The newspaper lay on the desk.


"Lie" can also mean "deliberately say something that is not true". It is a regular verb and its forms are: lie - lied - lied - lying. The verb is usually used with a preposition. You can lie to somebody, lie about something or put both together (lie to somebody about something).
Example sentences:
Steven lied to you about his education.
Don't lie to me ever again!
He lied about his age.
I'm afraid she's lying to us.


"Lay" means to put something somewhere. It is an irregular verb and its forms are:
lay - laid - laid - laying. The verb always takes an object because you need to mention the thing you lay somewhere.
Example sentences:
Please lay it here.
I laid my bag on the floor.
She laid her hand on his shoulder.


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