I still remember the day I wrote an important report and paused, wondering, “Should I write ‘laid’ or ‘layed’ here?”
That tiny doubt can trip anyone up, even native speakers. If you’ve ever searched layed or laid, you know how confusing English past tense can be.
People look up this topic because the words sound alike, but only one is correct.
From laying down objects, being laid off at work, to laying an egg, or even the poetic “laid my eyes on you”, knowing the right form makes your writing clear and professional.
In this guide, I’ll explain everything: meanings, past tense rules, examples, and common mistakes.
Quick Answer
- Laid ✅ → Correct past tense of lay
- Layed ❌ → Incorrect spelling
Meaning:
- To put, place, or set something
- To present, explain, or arrange
- To produce or place (as in eggs)
- To end employment (lay off)
Examples:
- She laid the book on the table. ✅
- He laid out his plan clearly. ✅
- ❌ She layed the book on the table ❌
The Origin of Laid
- Lay → Old English lecgan, meaning to put or place.
- Past tense → laid
- The misspelling layed comes from adding “y” incorrectly, but this form has no standard usage.
British English vs American English Spelling
- Both British and American English use laid.
- Layed is considered incorrect in both variants.
| Feature | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Correct past tense | Laid | Laid |
| Incorrect | Layed | Layed |
| Usage | ✅ | ✅ |
Which Form Should You Use?
- Always use laid.
- Avoid layed even in casual writing.
- Tip: Past tense of lay = laid, not layed.
Examples:
- I laid the keys on the counter. ✅
- She laid out the documents for review. ✅
Common Mistakes with Laid
- Using layed instead of laid
- Confusing lay (requires an object) with lie (does not require an object)
- Forgetting past tense spelling
Correct Examples:
- He laid the blanket on the bed. ✅
- She laid out the plan for the team. ✅
Incorrect Examples:
- He layed the blanket on the bed ❌
- She layed out the plan ❌
Everyday Examples of Laid
Work & Emails
- I laid out the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting.
- She laid down the schedule for her team.
Social Media & Blogs
- I laid out my goals for the month.
- The chef laid out ingredients in a step-by-step post.
News & Articles
- Scientists laid out their findings in the report.
- Workers were laid off after the company restructuring.
Important Concepts Explained
Layed or Laid Down
Meaning: To recline or place something horizontally.
Examples:
- Correct: She laid down on the couch. ✅
- Incorrect: She layed down on the couch ❌
- He laid down the rules for everyone to follow. ✅
Layed or Laid Off
Meaning: To terminate someone’s employment temporarily or permanently.
Examples:
- Correct: The company laid off several employees last month. ✅
- Incorrect: The company layed off several employees ❌
- After the restructuring, she was laid off with severance. ✅
Layed or Laid an Egg
Meaning: To produce or deposit an egg.
Examples:
- The hen laid an egg this morning. ✅
- Incorrect: The hen layed an egg ❌
- Birds laid eggs in the nest carefully. ✅
Layed or Laid Past Tense
- Lay → Present: I lay the book on the table.
- Laid → Past: I laid the book on the table yesterday.
- Layed → ❌ Incorrect in all contexts
Tip: Past tense always = laid.
Layed, Laid, or Lied
- Laid → Past tense of lay (put, place, arrange)
- Lied → Past tense of lie (to tell an untruth)
Examples:
- She laid the documents on the desk. ✅
- He lied about completing the task. ✅
- Incorrect: She layed the documents ❌
Layed or Laid My Eyes on You
Meaning: To notice or see someone for the first time.
Examples:
- Correct: I first laid my eyes on you at the party. ✅
- Incorrect: I first layed my eyes on you ❌
Layed or Laid Out
Meaning: To arrange, organize, or display something.
Examples:
- Correct: She laid out the charts for the presentation. ✅
- Incorrect: She layed out the charts ❌
- He carefully laid out the tools on the workbench. ✅
Comparison Table: Laid vs Layed
| Feature | Laid | Layed |
|---|---|---|
| Correct spelling | ✅ | ❌ |
| Past tense of lay | ✅ | ❌ |
| Meaning | Put, place, arrange | None (incorrect) |
| Usage | Work, eggs, plans, expressions | Incorrect |
| Acceptable in writing | ✅ | ❌ |
| Common phrases | Laid down, laid off, laid an egg, laid my eyes, laid out | ❌ |
FAQs
- What does laid mean?
- Past tense of lay; to put, place, or arrange something.
- Is layed correct?
- No, layed is always incorrect.
- How do you use laid down in a sentence?
- She laid down on the couch.
- What does laid off mean?
- To terminate employment temporarily or permanently.
- How do you use laid an egg?
- The hen laid an egg this morning.
- Laid or layed my eyes on you meaning?
- To notice someone for the first time. Correct: laid my eyes on you.
- Difference between laid and lied?
- Laid = past tense of lay (to put/arrange)
- Lied = past tense of lie (to tell an untruth)
- Past tense rule for lay?
- Lay → Laid → Laid. Never layed.
Conclusion
The correct form is always laid, while layed is incorrect in all contexts. Knowing the difference improves your writing in everyday life, professional emails, social media, and formal articles.
Whether you are laying down objects, being laid off, laying an egg, laying your eyes on someone, or laying out plans, the word laid is correct.
Avoid layed, and your writing will appear professional, clear, and polished. Using laid correctly demonstrates grammar mastery and confidence in English usage.
Final verdict: Always use laid. It is the correct past tense of lay in all contexts, from casual to professional, from literal to idiomatic.
