There are three similar verbs that can be confused: lay (regular except for spelling), lie (irregular) and lie (regular).
1. lay
Lay is a regular verb except for its spelling. Its forms are:
infinitive: (to) lay past: laid
-ing form: laying past participle: laid
Lay means 'put down carefully' or 'put down flat'. It has an object.
Examples:
Lay the tent down on the grass and I will see how to put it up.
I laid the papers on the table.
2. lie (irregular)
The forms of the irregular verb lie are:
infinitive: (to) lie past: lay
-ing form: lying past participle: lain (used mostly in a formal/literary style)
Lie (irregular( means 'be down', 'be/become horizontal'. It has no object.
Examples:
Don't lie in bed all day. Get up and do some work. (NOT: Don't lay...)
I lay down and closed my eyes.
3. lie (regular)
The regular verb lie (lied) means 'say things that are not true'.
Example:
You lied to me when you said you loved me.
4. dialect form
In many British and American dialects, different forms of 'lay' and irregular 'lie' are used. 'Lay' is often used in cases where standard English has 'lie'.
Example:
I'm going to lay down for a few minutes (Standard English...lie down...)
Nasser Gorsi
