To make understanding the difference between laying and lying easier, just break it down into the forms of language being used.

Laying is a transitive verb meaning “to place or put something down and requires an object.”

Lying is an intransitive verb meaning “to be in or assume a flat or horizontal position on a surface and does not require an object.”

Well, an object is “a material thing that can be seen and touched.” Transitive and intransitive are just fancy ways of breaking down verbs into two groups—one that includes an object and one that doesn’t.

Normally, we don’t need to differentiate the verbs, but in the case of laying and lying, whether or not there is a direct object does affect which of the verbs to use.

Is it ‘laying in bed’ or ‘lying in bed’?

Figuring out whether or not to use “laying in bed” or “lying in bed” is really not so hard once you can remember the difference in how the verbs react.

Transitive verbs (such as “laying”) act upon something else and need an object. To lay something is to position it somewhere. So, in reference to a bed, you wouldn’t lay in it, more like lay something on it.

Intransitive verbs (such as “lying”) do not necessitate an object and mean to put them into a flat position.

It would be correct to say that you are lying in bed.

 

How to use ‘lying’ (examples)

As if our little grammar rant can’t get any more complicated, we also throw another kink into the mix.

The word “lying“ is a homonym. Homonyms are words that are spelled the same but mean different things.

So, we have “lying” (the act of telling a lie or untruth) and “lying” (the act of resting in a flat position).

Just to be clear, we are talking about lying in a flat position.

Or what I do when taking a nap. (Which sounds good right about now after all of this grammar stuff!)

• The dog is lying in the sun.
• I think I will be lying down for a nap later.
• My son loves lying on the couch with his cat.
• The man was lying unconscious after getting hit in the head.
• The keys were lying under the welcome mat.

How to use ‘laying’ (examples)

“Laying” is a straightforward term. When you are laying something, you are setting something into a resting position.

Here are some examples of using the word “laying” correctly:

• The boy is laying his laptop on the table.
• Our chickens have been laying eggs for months.
• She is laying the baby down gently on its bed.
• The students are laying their pencils and paper on their desks.
• She kept laying her purse on the floor.

‘Lay’ vs. ‘lie’ in past and present tense

Present tense

The present tenses of both “laying” and “lying” are pretty clear-cut.

Present tense – Lay (needs object)
Why don’t you lay the blanket on the floor?

Present participle Lay is: Laying
I was laying the keys on the counter.

Are you going to lie down?

Present participle Lie is: Lying
The baby has been lying down all morning.

Past tense

Past tense of Lay is: Laid
She laid the blanket on the floor earlier that morning.

Past tense Lie is: Lay
I was tired, so I lay down.

There isn’t an overlap between the two verbs. And unfortunately, there is no easy trick for remembering this specific aspect besides simply recalling that the past tense of lie is lay.

How do you decide whether to use ‘lay’ or ‘lie’?

We have an easy little trick to guide you when using laying or lying.

Using the words “pLAce” and “recLIne” (along with their subsequent vowel sounds) is unbelievably useful when deciding on the correct usage of laying and lying.

Here’s how:

The word “PLACE” has an “LA” in it. (Just like “lay”)

Now, the word “lie” has a “LI” in it, along with a long “I” sound. 

Lie’s definition is to what?

Yep, you got it. To recline!! (See what we did there?)

Lay — LA — “to place.”

Lie — LI — to recline.