Here’s why: The past tense form of lie is lay, so it’s indistinguishable from lay in the present tense except in usage. (Sit and set, probably the irregular verbs that give people the most trouble next to lie and lay, for example, have no parts in common. It’s sit, sat and sat but set, set, set.)

Not only is the past tense of lie the same word as the present tense lay, but both the past tense and past participle of lay are laid, and the present participle of lie is the same (i.e., lying) whether you’re talking about reclining or fibbing.

How to Use ‘Lay’ and ‘Lie’ Lay means “to place something down flat,” while lie means “to be in a flat position on a surface.” The key difference is that lay is transitive and requires an object to act upon, and lie is intransitive, describing something moving on its own or already in position.

Yes, “lay” is also the past tense of “lie.” And the confusion doesn’t end there. To throw you for another loop, “laid” is also the past participle form of “lay.” So, when helping verbs are involved, “lay” becomes “laid” and “lie” becomes “lain.” Grandma had laid the chicken in the oven earlier this morning.

Lay is a verb that commonly means “to put or set (something) down.” Lie is a verb that commonly means “to be in or to assume a horizontal position” (or “to make an untrue statement,” but we’ll focus on the first definition). In other words, lay takes a direct object, and lie does not.

adjective. telling or containing lies; deliberately untruthful; deceitful; false: a lying report.

Here are the steps to take.

1. Step #1: Avoid Extending the Lie. When your boss catches you in a lie, it’s going to be tempting to try to get yourself out of the awkward situation by lying again.
2. Step #2: Start With an Apology.
3. Step #3: Offer an Explanation.
4. Step #4: Explain Your Immediate Plans.
5. Step #5: …

So while honesty is usually the best policy, there are exceptions. Just about all religions and belief systems, however, extol the virtue of honesty. So while it’s okay to lie, in most cases, it’s better to strive not to.

How to Confront a Liar

1. Master your story. You asked, “Do you have advice on how to confront a liar?” First, stop seeing them as a “liar.” You have reduced their identity to a label.
2. Give them a reason to come clean. Acknowledging terrible mistakes is hard for anyone.
3. Master the facts.
4. Control yourself, not the other person.

Passages in the Bible deal with God’s concern about lying as found in Proverbs 12:22 — “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy” — and in Proverbs 25:1: “Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow …

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin.

Revelation 21:27

The Ninth of the Ten Commandments is “You shall not give false witness against your neighbor.” This means two things: “Do not lie when testifying in court.” And, “Do not lie.” Period. Remember, in order for an action to be prohibited or demanded in the Ten Commandments it has to be fundamental to making civilization.