Lie, lay and lie

[Rich7]

Test No. incompl/inter-28 "The Hare and the Tortoise", question 6

The hare shot ahead and then decided to ......... down at the side of the path for a rest.

(a) lay
(b) lie
(c) laid
(d) lain

Test No. incompl/inter-28 "The Hare and the Tortoise", answer 6

The hare shot ahead and then decided to lie down at the side of the path for a rest.

Correct answer: (b) lie

Your answer was: incorrect
The hare shot ahead and then decided to lay down at the side of the path for a rest.
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Even though I know these mistakable verbs
, I usually tend to use them wrongly. Is there any clue to finally tell them apart?
Lie, lay and lie.

thanks

[Alan]

Lie is intransitive - no object as in The book is lying on the table. Lay is transitive - with an object as in I laid the book on the table Lie (not to tell the truth) is a regular verb lie lied lied in contrast with lie lay lain lay laid laid.
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Word Story: Jokes

[Rich7]

I think I'll try to learn it by heart.