From memory tricks like “I before E except after C” and the plethora of acceptions to this “rule” to an extensive list of homophones and closely related words with specific usages…

These and other things make English challenging. And that’s not even getting into the differences based on geographical location.

Today, I’m delving into two of those closely related words that often trip up writers (including myself).

I’ve got a good grasp on the present tense of “lie” vs. “lay.”

For example…

We like to lie on the beach after cooling off in the lake. (This subject has no object.)

Compare this to the following:

To avoid too many trips back to the cabin, we lay everything we need within reach. (This sentence has an object, “everything.”)

The future tense is equally easy to remember.

She will lie on the purple beach towel when she gets out of the water. (No object.)

Compare this to the following:

She will lay her boogie board on the sand beside her. (“Her boogie board” is the object of this sentence.)

And now, on to the other tenses, some more challenging than others.

The present continuous tense indicates an ongoing action.

They are lying beside the brook.

They are laying a cobblestone path from the cottage to the brook.

The past tense is fairly straightforward.

My cat lay in the sunbeam.

I laid the cat bed underneath the window.

The past continuous tense indicates on ongoing action that occurred in the past.

The dog was lying on the cement floor.

He was laying blankets on the floor to make the dog more comfortable.

The present perfect tense includes “have” or “has.”

He has lain on the deck for hours.

He has laid the paving stones to increase their home’s curb appeal.

And finally…

The past perfect tense includes the word “had.”

It had lain in the middle of the yard for weeks.

She had laid it there before going on her trip.

Hopefully, these tips have helped a little.