Lay or Lie | English Grammar Exercise

The words lay and lie are often confused. This grammar exercise tests your ability to use lay and lie correctly.

Fill in the blanks.

1. ……………………….. here until the dizziness goes away. (lie / lay / lays)

2. The testimony was a pack of ……………………. (lies / lays)

3. The responsibility ………………………… with the driver. (lays / lies)

4. The witness ………………………….. to the jury. (laid / lain / lied)

5. Please ………………………… the plate down. (lie / lay)

6. Dad ………………………… down on the couch all day yesterday. (lie / lay / lied)

7. …………………………… down on the couch. Let me check your blood pressure. (Lie / Lay)

8. The hen …………………………. an egg yesterday. (lied / laid)

9. He ……………………….. there motionless. (lie / lay / laid)

10. A turtle ………………………. many eggs at one time. (lay / lie / lays)

Answers

1. Lie here until the dizziness goes away. (To lie is to rest or repose.)

2. The testimony was a pack of lies. (A lie is a false story.)

3. The responsibility lies with the driver.

4. The witness lied to the jury. (To lie is to speak falsely.)

5. Please lay the plate down. (To lay something is to put it. Lay is transitive and is followed by an object.)

6. Dad lay down on the couch all day yesterday. (Lay is the past tense of lie.)

7. Lie down on the couch. Let me check your blood pressure.

8. The hen laid an egg yesterday.

9. He lay there motionless.

10. A turtle lays many eggs at one time.