Past tense of lay
The past simple of lay is laid and the past participle is laid: lay – laid – laid.
- Base form V1
- lay
- Past simple V2
- laid
- Past participle V3
- laid
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Meaning of lay
To carefully place something flat or horizontally for a purpose
- ExampleLay the map on the table.
Lay, laid, laid in sentences
- Past simpleHe laid the baby on the bed.
- Past participleThe table has been laid for six.
Common mistakes
layedlaid. Lay is irregular, so it does not take -ed.
Similar verbs
Built on lay, with the same forms: mislay, overlay, waylay.
Past simple and past participle the same, like lay: have, make, think, say, find, feel, keep, tell.
Common questions
What is the past tense of lay?
Laid. For example: He laid the baby on the bed.
What is the past participle of lay?
Laid. It follows be in the passive, as in The table has been laid for six.
Is lay a regular verb?
No. Lay is irregular: its past forms do not end in -ed.
