Lay or Lie?

Lay

The verb lay means “to put something down carefully in a flat position.”

Examples
Every morning, she lays her favourite trousers on the bed.
John laid the puppy in the basket (past tense).

Swedish
lägga, placera

Infinitive

Simple past

Past participle

lay

laid

laid

LIE

The verb lie means “to be in or put yourself into a flat position” (it also has other meanings, but they will not be covered here).

Examples
I love to lie on the beach and read.
The snow lay on the field all week (past tense).

Swedish
ligga, befinna sig, läge

Infinitive

Simple past

Past participle

lie

lay

lain

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