answersLogoWhite

0

The past tense of lie (to speak an untruth) is lied.

The past tense of lie (to be in a horizontal position) is lay.

The answer depends on which verb "lie" you are talking about:

  • For "lie" meaning to knowingly say something that is not true, the past tense is "lied."
  • For "lie" meaning to be in a horizontal or flat position or to be in a particular location, the past tense is "lay."

Examples:

  • I will not lie to you. They lied to the police.
  • I need to lie down for a few minutes. The book lay open on his desk.

Errors with the past tense and past perfect of "lie" in the second sense are very common. Another common error is to use "lay" for "lie" in the second sense, as in "I need to lay down."

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What is the simple past tense of lie?

The past tense of lie is lied.


What is the past tense of lied?

Lied is the past tense of lie.


Is the present tense of lay the same as the past tense of lie?

The past tense of lie (to speak an untruth) is lied.The past tense of lie (to rest in a horizontal position) is lay.Lay is also a present tense verb, and its past tense form is laid.


What is the past tense o lie?

The past tense of "lie" (as in to tell a lie, something that is not true) would be "lied". The past tense of "lie" (as in to lie down, recline) woulde be "laid", "lay", or "layed", depedning on how it is being used.


What is the past tense and past participle of lie?

The past tense of lie (to tell an untruth) is lied. Lied is also the past participle. The past tense of lie (to rest or recline in a horizontal position) is lay. Lain is the past participle.


What is the past tense of the words lie and lay?

The past tense of "lie" is "lay" and the past tense of "lay" is "laid".


Is the past tense of lie is lay?

The past tense of lie (to rest in a horizontal position) is lay. The past tense of lie (to express something that is not true) is lied.


Past participle of lie?

past tense of lie


How do you spell the past of lie?

the past of lie


What is the present tense of lain?

Present Tense: Lie Past Tense: Lay Past Participle: Lain


The past of lie?

The past tense of "lie" is "lied." For example, "She lied about her whereabouts last night."


What is the past tense of lie down?

The past tense of "lie down" is "lay down."