Lie or lay — Synonyms & Antonyms Aptitude Question
Lie or lay: Choose the correct sentence: Answer and worked solution on CodeKairo.
- Topic: Synonyms & Antonyms
- Section: Verbal Ability
- Difficulty: Hard
- Time target: 60 seconds
Question
Choose the correct sentence:
Options
- I am going to lay down for a rest.
- I am going to lie down for a rest.
- Please lie the book on the table.
- The book is laying on the table.
Show the answer and the worked solution
Correct answer: B. I am going to lie down for a rest.
Worked solution
- Lie (reclined, no object) versus lay (placed something, needs an object).
- 'I am going to lie down' has no object, so lie is correct.
- 'Lay the book' would be right, and 'the book is lying' would be right.
Answer: I am going to lie down for a rest.
The idea
Ask whether the verb has an object. If something is being placed, use lay; if a person or thing is reclining by itself, use lie.
Shortcut. Swap in recline or place: 'going to recline' works, so lie; 'place the book' needs lay; and the book 'is lying', not laying.
Common trap. "I am going to lay down for a rest." — common in speech, but lay needs an object; resting oneself takes lie.