Hi Instructors,

I am currently reading chapter 11, SC-4th edition. pg no. 219, which tells about the difference between lay and lie.

Lay is a verb that always takes a direct object: I (subject) decided to lay my coat (object) on the sofa.
In contrast, lie is a verb that never takes a direct object: I (subject) decided to lie down.

Can you please elaborate more on this topic.

Thanks & Regards
Saurabh

The Lay Vs Lie is a confusing one. Lets first define transitive and intransitive verbs

Transitive verb - verb that takes a object.
Example: Pele(subject) can kick a ball(object).

Intransitive - verb that does not take a object
Example: He(subject) sleeps for an hour after lunch
There is no direct object here.

lay - to put something down - this verb takes an object.
I (subject) lay my coat (object) on the desk.
lay -- I lay my coat on the desk
laid(past simple) -- I laid my coat on the desk
laid(past participle) -- I have laid my coat on the desk

lie (intransitive) - to recline - does not take an object
I lie on the sofa.
lie-- I usually lie in bed.
lay(past simple)-- He lay in bed. (Oddly, the past simple of lie = lay!)
lain(past participle)-- All my friends have lain in bed.


Lie (intransitive) - to tell the non-truth - does not take an object
I lied about my smoking
lie-- She usually does not lie.
lied(past simple)-- She lied about her age.
lied(past participle)-- She has lied about my age.

Hope this helps

Thank you pellucide for the nice explanation.

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Jamie Nelson
ManhattanGMAT Instructor

Thank you pellucide for the explanation. My doubt is clear.

glad to hear it!

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Tim Sanders
Manhattan GMAT Instructor