Lie or Lay? This is one of the hardest skills in the 7 th grade English core. If you master this concept, you are ready for 8 th grade!!!

????????Problems????????? 1.There are too many definitions for the two words. 2.The words are confusing because the past tense of one is the same as the other word. 3.People say it wrong, so you think you are saying it right when you are not. 4.This is one you have to memorize. Sorry!!!!

Lie (Definition 1) Something that misleads or deceives. It is a noun.

Example “I cannot tell a lie. I cut down the cherry tree!!!”

Lie (Definition 2) To make an untrue statement. It is a verb. It is happening now.

Example “Pinnochio, if you lie to me, your nose will grow!!!”

If you told a lie, you lied to me. “I cannot believe Pinnochio lied to me!!!”

Lie (Definition 3) To be at rest in a horizontal position. It is a verb. It is happening now.

Example “I like to lie in the sun when I go on vacation.”

If you already did it, you lay down. “I lay in the sun until I got sunburned!”

Lay (Definition 1) To put or set down an object or thing that cannot lie down by itself – a baby, the dishes, a golf ball, etc. It is a verb. It is happening now, in the present.

Example “Tiffany, please lay the baby in her crib.”

If you already put it down, you laid it down. “Mom, I laid my homework on the table and the dog ate it.”

Assignment Put your name on your paper. Number Fill in the best word for each sentence.

Assignment 1.I will __________ my glasses on the table every night before I go to sleep. 2.Patti, __________ down if you have a headache. 3.She __________ to her parents about how the door got broken. 4.Steve, please __________ the books on the couch. 5.When politicians __________, they lose our trust.

6.I __________around all weekend. 7.The golf ball should __________ where it drops. 8.Yesterday, I __________ all of my video games out on the floor to show my friend the games I had. 9.Last night, I __________ down for bed after midnight. 10.I can’t __________, Mrs. Cooke. I am still confused about this subject!!!

Bonus Question: Is “lay” used correctly?

How did you do? 1.I will lay my glasses on the table every night before I go to sleep. 2.Patti, lie down if you have a headache. 3.She lied to her parents about how the door got broken. 4.Steve, please lay the books on the couch. 5.When politicians lie, they lose our trust.

6.I lay around all weekend. 7.The golf ball should lay where it drops. 8.Yesterday, I laid all of my video games out on the floor to show my friend the games I had. 9.Last night, I lay down for bed after midnight. 10.I can’t lie, Mrs. Cooke. I am still confused about this subject!!! 11.Bonus Question – No! He wants to lie down and hide from his parents. It is not in the past and he can do it himself.