The verb lie has two meanings.
One meaning is to tell an untruth. I lie when I don’t tell the truth.
The other meaning tells that someone or something is reclining.
I am tired and need to lie down.
My dog likes to lie on the rug by the front door.
The word lay is used as a past tense form of the verb lie.
Right now, I will lie down.
Yesterday, I lay on the sofa for two hours.
Use the verb lie to show that someone has reclined. The verb lay is the past tense form of the verb lie.
▶Now you try it. Choose lie or lay for the blank in this sentence. Today I will ____ on the floor and rest. Did you choose the present tense word – lie? Good for you!