Let us consider these two words based how they are used when we mean to say “to recline or to lie down.” 

“Lie” means:

·           to place oneself in a flat, horizontal, or recumbent position

·           to be supported by a horizontal surface

·           to remain in a specified condition

“Lay” means:

·           to cause to lie down or to be in a particular condition

·           to put or set down

The Confusion

When do we use “lie,” and when do we use “lay”?  Is it correct to say “I want to lay down and sleep”? or should it rather be “I want to lie down and sleep”?

The Bottom Line

First and foremost, one very important thing to remember is that “lay” requires a direct object, and “lie” does not.  A direct object is a word in the sentence that receives the action, such as “flowers” in “I’ll put these flowers in the vase.”

So we say:

I want to lie down on the bed. (no direct object)

He lay the notebook on the table. (the notebook is the direct object)

The above examples and situations all refer to actions done in the present tense, meaning, that the action is going on at this very moment.  However, in exploring the usage of “lie” and “lay” in different tenses, say, the past tense, there are other considerations.

The past tense of “lie” is “lay.”

The past tense of “lay” is “laid.”

So we say (lie):

I want to lie down on the bed. (present tense)

I lay down on the bed yesterday afternoon. (past tense)

And we say (lay):

He lay the notebook on the table. (present tense)

He laid the notebook on the table a while ago. (past tense)

For more interesting articles, visit http://jquill89.webs.com/

References:

grammar.quickanddirtytips.com

Want to earn real money online? Write for Triond.