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Usage Glossary: A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y

lay/lie

Lay is a transitive verb that means "to place or put." Lie is an intransitive verb meaning "to rest on a surface". Both verbs are irregular.


Now I always lay my glasses next to my computer. [present tense]

My glasses always lie next to my computer. [present tense]

Twice last week I laid my glasses on the laboratory bench. [past tense]

Twice last week my glasses lay on the laboratory bench. [past tense]

I forgot where I had laid my glasses. [past participle]

I found that my glasses had lain on the laboratory bench all day. [past participle]


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