Is It Lie or Lay?

Lay is a verb that commonly means “to put or set (something) down.” Lie is a verb that commonly means “to be in or to assume a horizontal position” (or “to make an untrue statement,” but we'll focus on the first definition). In other words, lay takes a direct object, and lie does not.

Is it lay in bed or lie in bed?

Mary Lying in bed is correct. Both “laying” and “lying” are the present participles of the verbs “lay” and “lie.” “Lay” is a transitive verb that refers to putting something in a horizontal position, while“lie” is an intransitive verb that refers to being in a flat position. ... The same rule applies to laying and lying.

Is it lie or lay awake?

Correct: Last night I lay awake in bed. (It is not being done to anything else.) The past participle of lie is lain. The past participle of lay is like the past tense, laid.