I'm Sian from BBC Learning English,
and today we're going to look at the difference between
'lay' and 'lie'.
So 'lay' always has an object,
and it means
'put something or someone down carefully'
– normally in a flat position.
When I eat I lay a cloth on the table.
You can lay a baby in a cot.
The past tense is 'laid',
but careful with the spelling.
I laid all my cards on the table.
The verb 'lie' doesn't have an object
and it means that you are 'in a flat position'
or you 'put yourself in a flat position'
- so you move on your own.
Tonight I want to lie on the sofa and watch a film.
But be careful.
Now, the past of 'lie' is 'lay'.
Yesterday I lay on the beach and read my book.