lie vs lay

Definitions

verb

1. be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
2. originate (in)
3. be and remain in a particular state or condition
4. have a place in relation to something else
5. be lying, be prostrate; be in a horizontal position

and more 2 ...

noun

1. a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
2. position or manner in which something is situated

Examples

Elisabeth found herself with a straggle of colonists in a mosquito-ridden, uncleared jungle where sandflies bored into the skin of the feet and the clay soil was so intractable that nothing would grow.

Rows of brick garden apartments all backed onto a massive common garden: a shared backyard for children to play, dogs to gambol, and families to eat picnics together.

The residents are mostly impoverished families who survive by collecting recyclable garbage.

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Definitions

adjective

1. characteristic of those who are not members of the clergy
2. not of or from a profession

verb

1. put in a horizontal position
2. impose as a duty, burden, or punishment
3. prepare or position for action or operation
4. put into a certain place or abstract location
5. lay eggs

noun

1. a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
2. a narrative poem of popular origin

Examples

There were 42 free-kicks, two penalties, four bookings and three players sent off, two of whom had to be escorted from the pitch by police.

A little pyrotechnics display tacked on just serves to emphasise its lack of cutting edge.

She tore her eyes from them for a moment to spy the bodhrán player in the tree, tapping out her rhythm with her eyes closed, not noticing the spy amongst them.

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