Ly vs. Lie — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Fiza Rafique — By Munazza Shafiq — Updated on April 18, 2024
"Ly" is the incorrect spelling of "lie," which means to rest in a horizontal position or to intentionally make a false statement.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Ly or Lie
How to spell Lie?
Ly
Incorrect Spelling
Lie
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
"Lie" when used as a verb relates to either reclining or fibbing, which distinguishes it from "ly," a common suffix in adverbs.
Remember that "lie" is a complete word with meanings related to position or truth, unlike "ly," which is always part of another word.
Associate "lie" with both "lying down" and "telling a lie" to differentiate it from the adverbial suffix "ly."
How Do You Spell Lie Correctly?
Incorrect: Sometimes people ly when they are scared of getting caught.
Correct: Sometimes people lie when they are scared of getting caught.
Incorrect: She would ly on the grass and look at the stars.
Correct: She would lie on the grass and look at the stars.
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Incorrect: He decided to ly down on the couch after lunch.
Correct: He decided to lie down on the couch after lunch.
Incorrect: It's not good to ly about your age.
Correct: It's not good to lie about your age.
Incorrect: Can you believe she would ly to my face like that?
Correct: Can you believe she would lie to my face like that?
Lie Definitions
A lie is an assertion that is believed to be false, typically used with the purpose of deceiving someone. The practice of communicating lies is called lying.
To rest in a horizontal, recumbent, or flat position, typically on a surface.
After the hike, I just wanted to lie on the bed and rest.
To make an intentionally false statement.
It's important to never lie if you want to maintain trust.
(of a person or animal) be in or assume a horizontal or resting position on a supporting surface
I had to lie down because I was groggy
The body lay face downwards on the grass
Lily lay back on the pillows and watched him
Be, remain, or be kept in a specified state
Putting homeless families into private houses that would otherwise lie empty
The abbey lies in ruins today
(of a place) be situated in a specified position or direction
Kexby lies about five miles due east of York
(of an action, charge, or claim) be admissible or sustainable
An action for restitution would lie for money paid in breach of the law
Tell a lie or lies
‘I am sixty-five,’ she lied
Why had Ashenden lied about his visit to London?
The way, direction, or position in which something lies
He was familiarizing himself with the lie of the streets
An intentionally false statement
The whole thing is a pack of lies
They hint rather than tell outright lies
To be or place oneself at rest in a flat, horizontal, or recumbent position; recline
He lay under a tree to sleep.
To be placed on or supported by a surface that is usually horizontal
Dirty dishes lay on the table. See Usage Note at lay1.
To be or remain in a specified condition
The dust has lain undisturbed for years. He lay sick in bed.
To exist; reside
Our sympathies lie with the plaintiff.
To consist or have as a basis. Often used with in
The strength of his performance lies in his training.
To occupy a position or place
The lake lies beyond this hill.
To extend
Our land lies between these trees and the river.
To be buried in a specified place.
(Law) To be admissible or maintainable.
(Archaic) To stay for a night or short while.
To present false information with the intention of deceiving.
To convey a false image or impression
Appearances often lie.
To say or write as a lie.
The manner or position in which something is situated.
A haunt or hiding place of an animal.
(Sports) The position of a golf ball that has come to a stop.
A false statement deliberately presented as being true; a falsehood.
Something meant to deceive or mistakenly accepted as true
Learned his parents had been swindlers and felt his whole childhood had been a lie.
(intransitive) To rest in a horizontal position on a surface.
The book lies on the table;
The snow lies on the roof;
He lies in his coffin
(intransitive) To be placed or situated.
To abide; to remain for a longer or shorter time; to be in a certain state or condition.
To lie waste; to lie fallow; to lie open; to lie hidden; to lie grieving; to lie under one's displeasure; to lie at the mercy of the waves
The paper does not lie smooth on the wall.
Used with in: to be or exist; to belong or pertain; to have an abiding place; to consist.
Used with with: to have sexual relations with.
Used with on/upon: to be incumbent (on); to be the responsibility of a person.
(archaic) To lodge; to sleep.
To be still or quiet, like one lying down to rest.
(legal) To be sustainable; to be capable of being maintained.
(intransitive) To give false information intentionally with intent to deceive.
When Pinocchio lies, his nose grows.
If you are found to have lied in court, you could face a penalty.
While a principle-based approach might claim that lying is always morally wrong, the casuist would argue that, depending upon the details of the case, lying might or might not be illegal or unethical. The casuist might conclude that a person is wrong to lie in legal testimony under oath, but might argue that lying actually is the best moral choice if the lie saves a life.
(intransitive) To convey a false image or impression.
Photographs often lie.
To be mistaken or unintentionally spread false information.
Sorry, I haven't seen your keys anywhere...wait, I lied! They're right there on the coffee table.
(golf) The terrain and conditions surrounding the ball before it is struck.
(disc golf) The terrain and conditions surrounding the disc before it is thrown.
(medicine) The position of a fetus in the womb.
A manner of lying; relative position.
An animal's lair.
An intentionally false statement; an intentional falsehood.
I knew he was telling a lie by his facial expression.
A statement intended to deceive, even if literally true.
(by extension) Anything that misleads or disappoints.
See Lye.
A falsehood uttered or acted for the purpose of deception; an intentional violation of truth; an untruth spoken with the intention to deceive.
The proper notion of a lie is an endeavoring to deceive another by signifying that to him as true, which we ourselves think not to be so.
It is willful deceit that makes a lie. A man may act a lie, as by pointing his finger in a wrong direction when a traveler inquires of him his road.
A fiction; a fable; an untruth.
Anything which misleads or disappoints.
Wishing this lie of life was o'er.
The position or way in which anything lies; the lay, as of land or country.
He surveyed with his own eyes . . . the lie of the country on the side towards Thrace.
To utter falsehood with an intention to deceive; to say or do that which is intended to deceive another, when he a right to know the truth, or when morality requires a just representation.
To rest extended on the ground, a bed, or any support; to be, or to put one's self, in an horizontal position, or nearly so; to be prostate; to be stretched out; - often with down, when predicated of living creatures; as, the book lies on the table; the snow lies on the roof; he lies in his coffin.
The watchful traveler . . . Lay down again, and closed his weary eyes.
To be situated; to occupy a certain place; as, Ireland lies west of England; the meadows lie along the river; the ship lay in port.
To abide; to remain for a longer or shorter time; to be in a certain state or condition; as, to lie waste; to lie fallow; to lie open; to lie hid; to lie grieving; to lie under one's displeasure; to lie at the mercy of the waves; the paper does not lie smooth on the wall.
To be or exist; to belong or pertain; to have an abiding place; to consist; - with in.
Envy lies between beings equal in nature, though unequal in circumstances.
He that thinks that diversion may not lie in hard labor, forgets the early rising and hard riding of huntsmen.
To lodge; to sleep.
Whiles I was now trifling at home, I saw London, . . . where I lay one night only.
Mr. Quinion lay at our house that night.
To be sustainable; to be capable of being maintained.
What he gets more of her than sharp words, let it lie on my head.
A statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
Norwegian diplomat who was the first Secretary General of the United Nations (1896-1968)
Position or manner in which something is situated
Be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
Be lying, be prostrate; be in a horizontal position;
The sick man lay in bed all day
The books are lying on the shelf
We had to stand for the entire performance!
Originate (in);
The problems dwell in the social injustices in this country
Be and remain in a particular state or condition;
Lie dormant
Tell an untruth; pretend with intent to deceive;
Don't lie to your parents
She lied when she told me she was only 29
Have a place in relation to something else;
The fate of Bosnia lies in the hands of the West
The responsibility rests with the Allies
Assume a reclining position;
Lie down on the bed until you feel better
Something that deceives or gives a false impression.
The notion of the quiet countryside was a lie—it was quite noisy.
To be in or assume a horizontal or resting position on a surface.
The books lie on the table where you left them.
To present a false impression; to convey an untruth.
The evidence might lie, so thorough investigation is essential.
Lie Meaning in a Sentence
He could see the mountains lie under a blanket of clouds.
Don't lie to people if you value honesty.
You shouldn't lie about something as important as this.
She promised she would never lie to me.
Sometimes it's hard to tell when people lie.
Let's lie on the beach and relax for a while.
The field where the deer lie is over the hill.
I need to lie down because I'm feeling dizzy.
The cat likes to lie in the sunny spot by the window.
The old ruins lie at the edge of the village.
It isn't easy to detect when someone decides to lie.
Why would she lie about something so trivial?
It's never right to lie just to spare someone's feelings.
It's surprising how often people can lie with a straight face.
They like to lie on the grass and watch the clouds.
The fog made the streets lie hidden until noon.
We taught our children that it's wrong to lie.
To lie about your credentials is a serious offense.
He decided to lie about his age to join the team.
Books were scattered to lie across the floor.
The keys must lie somewhere in this room.
Secrets like these tend to lie heavy on one's heart.
The dog loves to lie by the fire on cold nights.
Lie Idioms & Phrases
White lie
A lie told to be polite or avoid hurting someone's feelings.
She told a white lie about loving the meal, even though she disliked it.
Lie in one's hands
To be under someone's control or responsibility.
The decision now lies in your hands.
Lie through one's teeth
To tell blatant lies.
He lied through his teeth even when presented with the evidence.
Let sleeping dogs lie
To avoid restarting a conflict.
It's sometimes best to let sleeping dogs lie and not bring up old arguments.
Live a lie
To live in a way that is dishonest because one is hiding their true feelings or living a double life.
He was living a lie, pretending everything was fine at home.
Lie low
To keep out of sight; avoid detection or attention.
After the scandal, he decided to lie low for a while.
Lie in wait
To wait secretly to attack or ambush.
The police lay in wait for the robbers to appear.
Lie with
To be a responsibility or within the power of.
The final decision lies with the committee.
Lie open to
To be vulnerable to or likely to suffer from.
Their poorly secured data lies open to cyber attacks.
Lie heavy on
To weigh down, cause worry or sadness.
The guilt lay heavy on him for years.
Barefaced lie
A blatantly obvious or impudent lie.
It was a barefaced lie that nobody believed.
Lie back and think of England
To reluctantly accept one's situation.
She didn't enjoy the party but decided to lie back and think of England.
Lie in state
Of a deceased person, to be placed on display before a funeral.
The hero lay in state for three days as people paid their respects.
Lie in ruins
To be completely destroyed or in a state of decay.
After the war, the city lay in ruins.
Lie by omission
To omit certain facts to deceive.
His statement was a lie by omission, leaving out key details.
As the crow lies
Directly; in a straight line.
The village is about five miles away, as the crow lies.
Give the lie to
To show something to be false.
His calm demeanor gave the lie to the chaos around him.
Lie on one's side
To support or take sides with someone.
During the debate, he lay on his brother's side against the criticism.
Lie at the heart of
To be central or crucial to something.
Trust lies at the heart of their relationship.
Lie ahead
To be in the future; forthcoming.
Many challenges lie ahead for the newly elected government.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called lie?
"Lie" comes from the Old English word "leogan," which means "to tell a falsehood."
How do we divide lie into syllables?
"Lie" is a single syllable and is not divided.
What is a stressed syllable in lie?
In "lie," the entire word is the stressed syllable, as it is monosyllabic.
What is the verb form of lie?
"Lie" itself is the base form of the verb.
How many syllables are in lie?
"Lie" has one syllable.
What is the root word of lie?
The root of "lie" is the Old English "leogan."
How is lie used in a sentence?
"Lie" is used to indicate a horizontal position or the act of telling untruths.
What part of speech is lie?
"Lie" is a verb.
Is lie a noun or adjective?
"Lie" is a verb and can also be a noun when referring to a falsehood.
What is the first form of lie?
The first form of "lie" is "lie" (to recline) and "lie" (to fib).
What is the third form of lie?
The third form of "lie" (to recline) is "lain," and for "lie" (to fib), it remains "lied."
What is the singular form of lie?
The singular form is "lie."
Is the word “lie” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Lie" is usually used as the main verb and not as an object. However, in sentences like "Tell a lie," "lie" is a direct object.
What is the pronunciation of lie?
Lie is pronounced as /laɪ/.
What is the opposite of lie?
The opposite of "lie" (to tell untruths) is "tell the truth"; for "lie" (to recline), it is "stand."
Is lie a vowel or consonant?
The word "lie" begins with a consonant.
Is lie a collective noun?
No, "lie" is not a collective noun.
What is another term for lie?
Another term for "lie" could be "falsehood" or "fabrication" for untruths, and "recline" for resting.
What is the plural form of lie?
"Lie" does not have a plural form; its use does not change.
Is lie an adverb?
No, "lie" is not an adverb.
Which determiner is used with lie?
Determiners such as "a" or "the" can be used with "lie" when it refers to a falsehood.
Is lie an abstract noun?
As a noun referring to falsehood, "lie" is an abstract noun.
Is lie a negative or positive word?
"Lie" generally has a negative connotation, especially when referring to falsehoods.
Is the word lie imperative?
"Lie" can be used as an imperative verb form, e.g., "Lie down!"
Which vowel is used before lie?
Typically, vowels like "a" or "the" can precede "lie," depending on the context.
Which preposition is used with lie?
Common prepositions used with "lie" include "about" (to lie about something) and "in" (to lie in bed).
Which article is used with lie?
Both "a" and "the" can be used with "lie," depending on whether the falsehood is specified or general.
What is the second form of lie?
The second form of "lie" (to recline) is "lay," and for "lie" (to fib), it remains "lie."
Is lie a countable noun?
When used as a noun, "lie" is countable.
Is the lie term a metaphor?
"Lie" can be used metaphorically, especially in phrases like "lie through one's teeth."
Is the word lie a Gerund?
"Lying" is the gerund form of "lie."
Which conjunction is used with lie?
Common conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used with "lie" depending on the sentence structure.
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Written by
Munazza Shafiq
Edited by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
