Lie, lying, lied, lay, laying, laid, lain

The different forms of the verbs above have always posed serious problems for learners of English...

The different forms of the verbs above have always posed serious problems for learners of English. Today’s newsletter provides succinct explanations of their different uses.

•TO LIE is to spread false information. E.g (1) we don’t have to lie about the issue, (2) he doesn’t want to lie.

The present participle is lieing lying, as in he’s lying. Present participle in English is used to indicate continuous/progressive tense. Therefore, these possible combinations can exist: is lying/was lying/has been lying/will be lying, etc.

LYING can also be used as a gerund. A gerund is an -ing form of a verb that behaves as a noun. E.g lying is an unpleasant thing to do, stop it!

The past tense and past participle of lie is lied. E.g he lied about his marital status just to sleep with the woman.

Lie can also be a noun. E.g don’t say tell lies.

Key point: lie — lied — lied — lying

lie = present tense

lied = past tense

lied = past participle

lying = present participle

•LIE (intransitive) is to be on a horizontal or resting position. Other meanings also exist. It does not require an object. E.g he should lie on the floor.

The present participle is also lying. E.g (1) I’m currently lying on my bed as I write this newsletter, (2) lying on a soft bed (=participial phrase), the old man soon drifted off to sleep.

The past tense is lay. E.g (1) he lay on his bed for many hours yesterday, (2) the book lay open on the table. The past participle is lain. E.g the shepherd had lain asleep on the grass when I saw him.

Key point: the forms of lie above do not require an object after them.

•LAY (transitive, present) — put something down gently or carefully. E.g please lay the eggs on the table. “The eggs” here is the object.

Other examples and meanings: (1) lay a trap for someone, (2) we should lay our plans before the government.

The present participle is laying. E.g the maid is laying my books on the shelf.

The past tense and past participle is laid. E.g she laid the baby in his cot. Please note that the passive construction might not show the subject. E.g the baby Jesus was lain laid in a manger (pronounced /ˈmeɪn(d)ʒə/. In this example, the baby Jesus is the object and the subject has been omitted because someone apparently laid the baby in the manger.

Key point 🔐 the forms of lay always require an object after them.

•LAY (of a female bed) produce (an egg) from inside the body. The present participle, past tense, and past participle are laying, laid, and laid respectively. It has the same forms as the meaning of lay above.

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Yours in English,

Francis