The words lay and lie are often confused. There are several confusing word pairs in English. This exercise tests your ability to use these words correctly.
Complete the following sentences.
1Sam has ............... on the bed all morning.
Wrong!
Use "lain" as the past participle of "lie" meaning rest in a position.
2Alice says that she has already ............... the table.
Wrong!
Use "laid" as the past participle of "lay" meaning put something somewhere.
3The books were ............... on the table.
Wrong!
Use "laid" in the passive form when something was put somewhere.
4This time tomorrow I will be ............... on the beach.
Wrong!
The correct spelling of the -ing form of "lie" is "lying".
5While ............... in bed, I had an idea.
Wrong!
Use "lying" for resting in a flat position.
6She always ............... her books neatly on the table.
Wrong!
Use "lays" when the subject puts objects somewhere.
7Don’t ............... in bed all day.
Wrong!
Use "lie" when someone rests in a position without taking an object.
8I ............... down and closed my eyes.
Wrong!
Use "lay" as the past simple of "lie" meaning rest in a position.
9I must be ............... weight.
Wrong!
Use "losing" for becoming less in weight or no longer having something.
10(British spelling) Did you ............... cricket yesterday?
Wrong!
In British English, the verb is spelled "practise"; "practice" is the noun.
Exercise complete
0 out of 10
correct answers
Answers
- Sam has lain on the bed all morning.
- Alice says that she has already laid the table.
- The books were laid on the table.
- This time tomorrow I will be lying on the beach.
- While lying in bed, I had an idea.
- She always lays her books neatly on the table.
- Don’t lie in bed all day.
- I lay down and closed my eyes.
- I must be losing weight.
- (British spelling) Did you practise cricket yesterday?