Layed vs. Laid: When to Use Laid vs. Layed (with Useful Examples)

 

Layed vs. laid! Sometimes the difference between two words is that, while one of them is commonly used, the other is considered archaic and is not used at all nowadays. This is the case with the pair layed vs. laid. Though both these words have been acceptable at some point in the English language, only one of them should be used today. So, which is it?

Layed vs. Laid

LAID is the past tense of the verb “to lay” which usually means “to set something down”, while LAYED is an archaic word that nobody uses anymore.

Examples:

• She laid the baby down gently on the bed.
• He laid the book on the bookshelf a moment ago.
• She laid out all her new clothes on the bed.
• Sarah closed the book and laid it aside.

When to Use Layed or Laid

Many English words have a few different meanings, and the verb “to lay” isn’t an exception. When you say that John laid the newspaper on the table, you mean that he put it there. When you say that a group of criminals laid out a plan of the bank robbery, you mean that they prepared, or created it. This verb can also be associated with bets: if you say that Hazel laid a bet on the horse that has come last in all the previous races, you mean that she placed a bet. Finally, a hen might have laid an egg as well.

Nevertheless, no matter which meaning this verb takes in your sentence, the past tense will always be laid. You can only use layed if you’re describing a time period a few centuries ago, and you need the appropriate vocabulary to create the needed mood. If this is not the case and your writing is done completely in modern English, stick to laid.

Especially if English isn’t your first language, it is natural to want things to be simpler and as many verbs as possible to be regular. This is why you might think, or hope, that “to lay” is one of the regular verbs that only needs an -ed to turn into the past tense form, and that layed should be the correct spelling.

However, think of other short verbs that end with a -y and actually differ from lay by a single letter, i.e. pay and say. The past tenses of these verbs are paid and said, respectively. That’s exactly what happens will lay, as well.

Layed vs. Laid Examples

1. The cat laid a dead mouse at my feet.
2. He laid all the stamps along the desk.
3. She laid a spring mattress under the sheet.
4. He laid the books down on the table.
5. They laid down their weapons and surrendered.
6. He finished the tea and laid the cup aside.
7. The students laid away their books to do morning exercises.
8. He laid his hand on my shoulder.
9. The couple laid the new carpet on the floor.
10. I laid my book aside, turned off the light and went to sleep.

Difference between Laid vs. Layed | Picture

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Layed vs. Laid: How to Use Layed vs. Laid Correctly?