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

Interview Friday with author Rie McGaha

Rie McGaha was born and raised in northern California along the shores of Humboldt County where her grandmother often took her to dig for clams and watch the whales migrate. Being raised with the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, gave Rie a deep love for nature. She has resided in the Kiamichi Mountains of SE Oklahoma for more than ten years with her husband, Nathan, where they rescue animals, nurses them back to health and tries to find homes for them. She is the mother of 12 and Nana of 33. VS: Rie, I want to thank you for being my guest here on The Writing Mama today. As you know, being a parent is hard work and when you throw writing into the mix . . . well it seems almost impossible to get everything done. I find myself asking if I giving my three children enough attention throughout the day. Now you didn’t really start writing until your children were grown, however, you have your grandchildren running around from time to time, so to start here is the first qu...
Read more

Interview Friday with Author Donna McDine

Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, Honorable Mention in the 77th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition and two Honorable Mentions in the 78 th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. Donna’s stories and features have been published in many print and online publications, and her first book, The Golden Pathway , will be published through Guardian Angel Publishing as well as her second book, The Hockey Agony . Ms. McDine is a member of the SCBWI, Musing Our Children, and The National Writing for Children Center. VS: Donna, thank you for being my guest here on The Writing Mama today, we have worked together in the past at Stories for Children Publishing, however, I hear you have a picture storybook coming out this year and possibly another book in a year or two. Since working with Stories for Children Publishing and its many divisions, you seem to be even busier than before. What is it like being a writing parent with kids still in the house? Don...
Read more

Interview Friday with Connie Arnold

Connie Arnold is an author and poet residing in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with her husband, has two married children and three young grandsons. She is the author of three inspirational poetry books. Animal Sound Mix-up is her first published children’s book. Her writing appears in several anthologies, magazines and newsletters. VS: Connie, I want to thank you for being my guest here on The Writing Mama today. I know being a parent and writer can be hard. I find myself asking if I am giving my three children enough attention throughout the day. So to start my first question is . . . what is a typical writing day like for you? Connie: Since my children and grandchildren live far away, I don’t have the distraction of them needing my attention through the day, although I’d love to have much more of that! On a writing day, I usually begin first thing in the morning while I’m sitting at the dining room table with a banana and juice. That’s my most creative time. Sometimes I have ...
Read more