Laid or Layed: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-12 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: When writing in the past tense, laid is the correct choice while layed is a common misspelling. The word lay serves as both the base form and the past tense, but only laid functions as the past participle. Using the -ed ending creates laid, whereas adding -ed to the base form lay creates the incorrect variant layed. Remember this distinction to maintain accuracy in your writing and communication.

The Short Answer

Laid is the correct past tense and past participle of lay, while layed is a misspelling that should be avoided.

Confusion often arises because lay looks similar to layed, yet the base form is the same as the past tense. This overlap makes it tricky to know when to stop adding letters, leading many writers to accidentally create the incorrect form instead of using the standard past participle.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
lay	Base form	Use for present tense actions.
lay	Past tense	Use for completed actions in the past.
laid	Past participle	Use with has or have to show completion.
layed	Incorrect	Never use this spelling in formal writing.

Correct Example Sentences

The hen laid three eggs this morning.
I have laid the books on the shelf.
She had laid her coat on the chair.
We laid the table for dinner guests.
Please lay the report on my desk.
They laid the tracks for the train.
The artist laid the canvas flat.
I have already laid out the plans.
He laid the foundation for success.
Did you lay the dish in the sink?

Common Mistakes and Fixes

I have layed the papers on the table.: I have laid the papers on the table.
She layed the key on the counter.: She laid the key on the counter.
They have layed the bricks for the wall.: They have laid the bricks for the wall.
I layed the phone on the bed.: I laid the phone on the bed.
We layed the table before dinner.: We laid the table before dinner.
Did you layed the documents correctly?: Did you lay the documents correctly?

Related Word Pairs

Caught/Caughted: No t-form exists for this pair; use only caught
Dug/Dugged: Always use dug; avoid dugged
Felt/Felted: The correct form is felt, not felted
Spit/Spitted: Spit is the only valid past tense form
Swung/Swunged: Use swung; swunged is never correct
Tied/Tieded: The word tied is the proper past tense
Went/Wented: Went is the form to use; wented is wrong
Set/Setted: Set serves as the past tense; avoid setted

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I use lay versus laid?

Use lay for the base form or the simple past tense. Use laid only when it functions as the past participle, typically appearing after have or has to indicate an action that is completed.

Is layed ever correct in English?

No, layed is never correct in standard English. It is a frequent error caused by treating lay like a regular verb that always takes an -ed ending for the past tense, but lay is irregular.

What is the difference between lay and lie?

Lay means to place something down and requires an object. Lie means to recline or rest without support and does not take an object. The past tense of lie is lay, which often causes further confusion.

How can I remember the correct spelling?

Remember that lay is the simple past tense and does not need an -ed ending. Only the past participle form needs the -ed suffix to become laid, so keep the base form simple without extra letters.