Verb to lie in English: 3 forms
25.03.2025
5 minutes to read
Verb to lie in English: 3 forms
Content
The verb to lie is one of the most commonly used irregular verbs in English. It can mean both a physical state (to lie) and an action (to lie). To use this verb correctly, you need to understand all its forms and features. In this article, we will look at the three forms of the verb to lie and give examples and explanations for each case.
Meaning of the verb to lie
The verb to lie in English can have two main meanings:
1.To lie - means to stay in a position where the body is horizontal, on the surface.
2.To lie - means to tell an untruth, to deliberately mislead.
It is important not to confuse this verb with another verb similar in sound - to lay, which means "to lay" or "to put down".
The 3 main forms of the verb to lie
Like other irregular verbs, to lie has three forms:
1.To lie - means to stay in a position where the body is horizontal, on the surface.
2.To lie - means to tell an untruth, to deliberately mislead.
It is important not to confuse this verb with another verb similar in sound - to lay, which means "to lay" or "to put down".
The 3 main forms of the verb to lie
Like other irregular verbs, to lie has three forms:
The verb lie is used in a variety of contexts. Here are some key situations when it is used:
1.When talking about the position of the body (to lie):
-He lies on the couch all day.
-She lay on the bed after work.
2.When referring to false statements (to lie):
-He lied about his age.
-She had lied to me for years.
1.When talking about the position of the body (to lie):
-He lies on the couch all day.
-She lay on the bed after work.
2.When referring to false statements (to lie):
-He lied about his age.
-She had lied to me for years.
When the verb lie is used
The verb to lie is irregular and requires attention to its forms, especially in the past tense and in the past participle. It is important to distinguish it from the other verb to lay, which also has irregular forms but with a different meaning.
Also, depending on context and time, lie can change:
-In the present tense: I lie here.
-In the past tense: He lay down.
-In the past participle form: I have lain here.
Examples
1 To lie:
-They lie in bed all morning.
-She lay on the beach during her vacation.
2. to lie:
-He lies to his parents every time.
-She had lied to the police about the incident.
Also, depending on context and time, lie can change:
-In the present tense: I lie here.
-In the past tense: He lay down.
-In the past participle form: I have lain here.
Examples
1 To lie:
-They lie in bed all morning.
-She lay on the beach during her vacation.
2. to lie:
-He lies to his parents every time.
-She had lied to the police about the incident.
Grammatical features
There are several popular idioms with the verb lie in English:
-To lie through one's teeth - To lie through one's teeth, right in the eye.
-He lied through his teeth when he said he didn't know anything about it.
-To lie low, to hide, to avoid attention.
-After the scandal, he decided to lie low for a while.
-To tell a barefaced lie.
-She told a barefaced lie about the situation.
-To lie through one's teeth - To lie through one's teeth, right in the eye.
-He lied through his teeth when he said he didn't know anything about it.
-To lie low, to hide, to avoid attention.
-After the scandal, he decided to lie low for a while.
-To tell a barefaced lie.
-She told a barefaced lie about the situation.
Idioms with the verb lie
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