Is It “Laying” or “Lying”?

Is the cat “laying” or “lying” on the chair?

The Verb “To Lie”

“Lying” is a form of the verb “to lie,” which means “to rest, recline or stay.”

“To lie” represents a state of being and doesn’t require an object.

• lie.…………….I’m going to lie [rest/recline/stay] in the hammock and gaze up at the foliage above.
• lay…………….Kirby the cat lay [rested/reclined/stayed] peacefully under the blanket.
• have lain.…..The goats have lain [rested/reclined/stayed] under the shade of the juniper tree all afternoon.
• lying………….The injured horse was lying [resting/reclining/staying] in the stall.

The Verb “To Lay”

“Laying,” is a form of the verb “to lay,” which means “to put or place something or someone down.”

“To lay” requires an object, the something or someone that is being put or placed.

• lay………………I’m going to lay [put/place] my dad’s tools on the workbench for him.
• laid.…………….I laid [put/placed] my keys in this drawer, but now I can’t find them.
• have laid……..The kids have laid [put/placed] a blanket on top of the sleeping cat.
• laying………….I’m laying [putting/placing] more clothes in the laundry basket.