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Remember this!
The past tense form of 'lay' is laid. Example: She laid the book on the table. (She laid the book on the table.)
Definition of “lay”
- to put something down in a flat or horizontal position
- to produce and deposit eggs
- to place or set something in a particular position
Tense sentence structure and examples:
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Notes from a Native English Speaker
Here are the general structures of a present and past participle. Remember, some verbs have an irregular form and may not follow this structure: Present Participle: [Verb] -ing Past Participle: [Verb] -ed
| Past Simple | laid |
| Past Continuous | laying |
| Past Perfect | laid |
Past Simple
The simple past tense is used to describe completed actions or events that occurred at a specific point in the past.
Subject + Past Simple Verb + (Object)
Example
She laid the groundwork for the project.
Example
He laid the baby gently in the crib.
Past Continuous
The past continuous tense is used to indicate actions or events that were in progress or happening at a specific point in the past.
Subject + was/were + Present Participle + (Object)
Example
At that time, she was laying the tiles in the bathroom.
Example
I wasn't laying the table when they arrived.
Past Perfect
The past perfect tense is used to show that one past action or event occurred before another past action or event, emphasizing the order of events in the past.
Subject + had + Past Participle + (Object)
Example
By the time they arrived, she had laid the foundation.
Example
He had laid out all the tools before starting the project.
Is laid an irregular verb in the past?
No, "laid" is not an irregular past tense verb.
