What is the past tense of "lie"?

The past simple of "lie" is "lied". He lied about his age when he applied for the job.

What is the past participle of "lie"?

The past participle of "lie" is "lied". Use it after have/has/had: "I have lied".

What is a common mistake with "lie"?

Wrong: "He lied about he was sick.". Correct: "He lied about being sick.". Use gerund 'being' after 'about', not pronoun 'he' with verb.

Conjugation of "Lie" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage

Q: Is "lie" regular or irregular?

"Lie" is a regular English verb. Both past simple and past participle are formed by adding -ed.

Q: How do you pronounce "lie"?

/laɪ/ — One syllable: /laɪ/. Rhymes with 'my', 'try', 'sky'. The vowel is the diphthong /aɪ/.

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All 12 Tenses of "Lie"

Quick reference table — every tense form of "lie" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.

Tense	Example (I)	Quick rule
Simple Present	`I lie`	Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule →
Simple Past	`I lied`	Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule →
Simple Future	`I will lie`	Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule →
Present Continuous	`I am lieing`	Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule →
Past Continuous	`I was lieing`	Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule →
Future Continuous	`I will be lieing`	Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect	`I have lied`	Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule →
Past Perfect	`I had lied`	Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule →
Future Perfect	`I will have lied`	Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect Continuous	`I have been lieing`	Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule →
Past Perfect Continuous	`I had been lieing`	Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule →
Future Perfect Continuous	`I will have been lieing`	Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule →

Past Tense of "Lie" — Lied

The past simple of "lie" is "lied" — formed by adding "-ed". Use it for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "yesterday", "last week", or "in 2020". For the full grammar of this tense, see our simple past tense guide.

He lied about his age when he applied for the job. A2

Past Participle of "Lie" — Lied

The past participle of "lie" is "lied" — the same form as the past simple, since "lie" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have lied") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was lied").

He lied about his age when he applied for the job. A2

Is "Lie" Regular or Irregular?

"Lie" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "lied". The 3rd-person singular present is "lies" and the gerund/present participle is "lying".

Conjugation pattern: regular -ed (lie→lied, but keep y: lying)

How to Pronounce "Lie" and Its Forms

Lie: /laɪ/ — Stress pattern: O

One syllable: /laɪ/. Rhymes with 'my', 'try', 'sky'. The vowel is the diphthong /aɪ/.

Common mispronunciation of "lie"

Sometimes confused with 'lye' (a chemical); lie rhymes with 'my'.

How to Use "Lie" — Common Grammar Patterns

Use for intentional deception. Remember: lie (about yourself), lay (something down). Both irregular in gerund: lying.

S + V + about + noun
S + V + to + noun (person)

Example Sentences with "Lie" in Different Tenses

Simple Past: He lied about his age when he applied for the job. A2

Common Collocations with "Lie"

lie about something
lie to someone
lie in court
catch someone lying
barefaced lie

When to Use "Lie" vs Similar Verbs

"lie" vs "lay"

'Lie' means to recline or tell untruth; 'lay' means to put/place something down. 'Lie' is intransitive; 'lay' is transitive.

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

deceive — for intentionally misleading someone
fib — for a small or harmless lie
mislead — for causing wrong impressions

Antonyms: tell the truth, be honest

Common Mistakes with "Lie"

Wrong: She lie often.
Correct: She lies often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).

Origin and Etymology of "Lie"

From Old English 'leogan', meaning to lie or deceive.

Lying is considered dishonest in most cultures. Phrases: 'lie detector', 'lie through your teeth'.

Conjugation Tables for "Lie"

Negative Forms

Simple present: I do not lie · He does not lie
Simple past: I did not lie · She did not lie
Present perfect: I have not lied · He has not lied

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you lie? · Does he lie?
Simple past: Did you lie?
Present perfect: Have you lied?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

Simple present passive: It is lied
Simple past passive: It was lied
Present perfect passive: It has been lied

Frequently Asked Questions About "Lie"

Is "lie" regular or irregular?: "lie" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "lied".
What is the past tense of "lie"?: The simple past of "lie" is "lied".
When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "lie"?: Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I lie every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am lieing right now."