Common mistakes: Lie vs. Lay

Confusing verbs

.I’m going to lay down for an hour
.I’m going to lie down for an hour

.Please lie the exam papers on the desk
.Please lay out the exam papers on the desk

.Lie (= to rest) is an intransitive verb and never has an object

.Lay (= to put) is a transitive verb and always requires an object

.Their principal parts are lie, lay, lain, and lay, laid, laid

Note: Lie, lied, lied is to tell an untruth: He has lied to me. Lay, laid, laid also means to produce eggs: The hen has laid an egg

.Idiom: Lay the table is to prepare the table for a meal