Grammar Spod: Words which can confuse

Many people confuse the verbs “to lie” and “to lay,” but here are some useful tips to help you to remember.

“Lie” is both an irregular and regular verb. The regular verb means “not to tell the truth”:

She lied to me about her job.

The irregular verb is connected with beds and beaches:

I lie in bed every day until 9.00
They lay on the beach in the hot sunshine.

So, lie – lay – lain


“lay” is an irregular verb and it is connected with tables and chickens:

She lays the table for dinner in the evening.
The chicken has laid an egg

So, lay – laid – laid

There is a frequent confusion in American English as “lay” can mean “lie,” as in Bob Dylan’s song “lay, lady, lay” (which must be a love song to a chicken!) In British English it should be “lie, lady, lie upon my big brass bed.”