Skip to main content

Word Usage Confusion

Many writers confuse word usage mostly because of past and present tense. So today, I have a fun word usage game using ‘Lay’ and ‘Lie’. No, I did not come up with this. I actually did this at a writing brunch a few months back, but before we jump into the game, I would love to share a great way to avoid using either of these words. Why? Because trying to remember which one to use can be annoying so why do it to yourself. I understand there will be times you cannot get away from not using one or even both of them in your writing, but here is a trick to help you.

Replace the word (lay or lie) with ‘place.’ If that does not work try ‘rest.’ Place is for use when the object is physically disconnected from the person doing the action.

Problem: LAY is both the past tense of LIE and it its own base form. This is why many writers have a hard time knowing which one to use. You can try memorizing the following, which was shared with me at the writer’s brunch:

LIE

Present tense: Lie

Past tense: Lay

Present Participle: Lying

Past Participle: Lain

LAY

Present tense: Lay

Past tense: Laid

Present Participle: Laying

Past Participle: Laying

Now let’s test your writing know how!

Present Tense

1. Jim (lies/lays) his keys on the table every evening.

2. The red toy fish (lies/lays) on the living room floor to this day.

3. Mother wants her toddler to (lie/lay) the toy on the shelf.

Past Tense-Lay or Laid

1. Yesterday I (lay/laid) my head on the pillow for comfort.

2. Two days ago, I lost my keys after I (lay/laid) them on the kitchen counter.

3. His parents noticed that Morgan (lay/laid) down quite a bit yesterday.

Past Participle or Tense: Lain, Laying, or Laid

1. Susie has (lain/laid) on the basement sofa for two days now.

2. Kevin has (lain/laid) roses on his wife’s grave every July since she died.

3. You won’t find Maggie (laid/laying) her books down anywhere else.

A Few More to Test Your Knowledge

1. If you (lie/lay) on this sofa before noon, you’ll damage the newly washed fabric.

2. Beth was so exhausted; she (lay/laid) her ring on the counter top before (lying/laying) down for the evening.

3. If you had (lain/laid) your keys on the table where they belong, you wouldn’t be looking for them now.

4. Are you sure Irina is (lying/laying) new floor title in her bathroom?

5. The delicate red rose continues to (lie/lay) on the treasured book.

6. I saw a weird cartoon yesterday in which Casper, a friendly host, removed his head and (lay/laid) it on a pillow.

7. Mother said that Father could have worked yesterday, but he chose to (lie/lay) around the house.

If you’re bold, place your answers in the comments section. In addition, to make this even more interesting . . . the first person to get them all correct gets a free critique (first 10 pages) from me!

Note: I will post the answers on Friday at the end of our special guest interview and announce our winner.

Popular posts from this blog

World of Ink Interview with author Judy Snider and Illustrator Cady B. Driver

Judy Snider , Joan’s sister lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband, Gil, and two silly cats. She is the author of the CWA award-winning children’s picture book, Goldy’s Baby Socks , and on a team of authors of The Scared Purse . The Writing Mama Interview with author Judy Snider     VS: What do you do to help balance your writing life with your family life? Judy: It is easier now that my kids are in their 20’s and out of the home. I get up very early, and some of the best writing I do is in a sunny place with a glass of water or coffee and my silly cats nearby. When my oldest was a baby, I took a write-away-course, and would write when he took his naps. Some of my best writing was at a table while I waited in those days for them at parties, video arcades, etc.  I work out of my home on projects, so working with my sister on our latest book, and the phone usually did Cady Driver, our illustrator. VS: How long have you been writing? Judy: I wrote my...
Read more

Stories That Awaken the Soul: A Journey with Evan McDermott

What if the stories we tell — and the ones we choose to listen to — could change not just our perspective, but our very path in life? In a world where noise often drowns out meaning, returning to the simplicity and depth of authentic storytelling can reconnect us with what truly matters. This week on Language of the Soul , we sit down with Evan McDermott, poet, tarot reader, and host of the Fifth Dimension podcast, for a conversation that feels like sitting by the fire and remembering what it means to be human. Evan’s life and work remind us that the ancient practice of weaving narrative — through myth, poetry, or spiritual exploration — is more than art. It’s a vital act of self-remembering, of reclaiming our agency in a world that often tries to define us by labels, roles, or distractions. Our discussion with Evan touches on many layers: from the dualities of love and tyranny, to how compassion becomes a compass when the outer world feels divided or uncertain. We reflect on how st...
Read more

What is Your Writing Priority?

Every New Year, people sit down and write out their resolutions on the things they want to happen over the next year. The lists can be long or short, it doesn’t matter. We all have done it, but how often do you complete the goals listed? Rarely in my case; so I spent all of January doing more than just writing my New Year Resolutions, I spent time thinking about what I really wanted to see happen in 2015 and then took it a step further by listing ways to make those things happen. I also looked long and hard at the things I have been working on and doing. I evaluated each of them and the ones that weren’t taking me where I wanted to be I dropped off my list of things to work on in the New Year.  Once I was happy with the list I had, I began looking at my time and seeing if there was enough time in my week and daily to work on each item. In some cases…I didn’t. I was right back to reworking my list and making sure I was putting goals in the right priority. A few things at ...
Read more