Lay and lie follow the exact same pattern as raise and rise, and the past tense makes it even trickier since "lay" is also the past tense of "lie."
Lay is transitive, you lay something down. Its past tense is laid.
lay full definition →
Lie is intransitive, meaning to rest in a flat position. Its past tense is lay, which is where the confusion multiplies.
lie full definition →
| lay | lie | |
|---|---|---|
| Needs an object? | Yes, you lay something down | No, you simply lie down |
| Past tense | laid | lay |
| Simple test | "I laid the book down," book is the object | "I lay down for a nap," no object |
Lay needs an object, something you're putting down. Lie needs no object, just resting. And yes, the past tense of lie is confusingly lay.
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