Lie, Lie, Lay

Let's talk about lions and lambs. They're the typical symbols for March, at least here in the Northeast. March often comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.

What does this have to do with grammar? Well, the three most difficult verbs to sort out are lie, lie, and lay.  And lions and lambs are part of the answer.

To lie: To recline
To lie: To tell an untruth
To lay: To put or place something somewhere

Why are they so tough?  Because each verb contains forms used by the other two!  Using these verbs correctly takes a lot of practice.

To Lie (to recline)
I lie on (lion) the couch to read. I lie down to read.  NOT:  I lay on the couch to read.
I will lie on (lion) the couch. I will lie down on the couch.  NOT:  I will lay on the couch.
I am lying down.  NOT:  I am laying down.
I was lying down.  NOT:  I was laying down.

OK so far? Well, here's the tough one:

Yesterday, I lay down for an hour.  NOT:  I lied or laid or layed (this form does not exist) down.
(Yes, the past tense of lie is lay.)

I have lain down for several hours.  NOT:  I have lied or laid or layed down.
(Of course, if you can't get your mouth around lain, you can always say you slept well!)

To Lie (to tell an untruth)
I lie.
I am lying.
I will lie.
I lied.
I have lied.

To Lay (to place or put something somewhere)
Should I lay my book on the table?
I am laying my book on the table.
I will lay my book on the table.
I laid my book on the table.
I have laid my book on the table.