Lieing or Lying: Lying is the correct spelling, while lieing is a misspelling in standard English.The confusion is understandable because many English verbs form their -ing form by simply adding -ing.
However, verbs ending in -ie follow a different spelling pattern: -ie changes to -y before -ing. So, lie → lying, just as die → dying and tie → tying.
The word lying has two common meanings. It can describe being in a resting or horizontal position, or it can mean saying something that is not true. The spelling remains lying in both cases.
Quick Answer
| Spelling | Correct? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| lying | ✅ Correct | She is lying on the sofa. |
| lieing | ❌ Incorrect | She is lieing on the sofa. |
So, whenever you need the -ing form of lie, write lying.
Why Is “Lying” Correct?
The key is the spelling pattern for verbs ending in -ie.
When an English verb ends in -ie, the ie changes to y before -ing is added:
lie → lying
The same pattern appears in:
- die → dying
- tie → tying
- vie → vying
The Language Portal of Canada gives this same rule directly: verbs ending in ie change ie to y before -ing. (Our Languages)
Why “Lieing” Looks Right at First
If you learn that many verbs simply take -ing, lieing can seem perfectly logical:
lie + ing = lieing
But that pattern does not apply here.
Instead:
lie → ly + ing → lying
So the correct spelling is lying, not lieing.
This is why the same mistake appears with other -ie verbs:
- ❌ dieing → ✅ dying
- ❌ tieing → ✅ tying
- ❌ vieing → ✅ vying
Learning the pattern is more useful than memorizing lying as an isolated spelling.
What Does “Lying” Mean?
The meaning of lying depends on the context.
Lying means resting or being in a position
Here, lying is the -ing form of lie, meaning to be in or put yourself into a horizontal position.
The baby is lying on the blanket.
I was lying on the couch after work.
The dog is lying under the table.
She spent the afternoon lying on the beach.
In each example, lying has nothing to do with dishonesty. It describes position or rest.
Lying means saying something untrue
Lying can also mean telling someone something that is not true.
He is lying about what happened.
She admitted to lying to her parents.
The witness was lying about where he had been.
I knew he was lying to me.
The spelling is still lying. Context tells you which meaning is intended.
Lie, Lying, Lay, Lain, and Lied
This is where English learners often get caught.
There are two different verbs spelled lie, and their past forms are different.
When “lie” means to rest or be in a position
The forms are:
lie → lying → lay → lain
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| lie | I want to lie down. |
| lying | She is lying on the bed. |
| lay | She lay on the bed yesterday. |
| lain | She had lain there for an hour. |
Cambridge identifies lying as the -ing form of this verb, with lay as the past simple and lain as the past participle. (Cambridge Dictionary)
Notice the important difference:
Yesterday, I lay on the sofa. ✅
Not:
Yesterday, I lied on the sofa. ❌
When “lie” means to tell an untruth
This verb is regular:
lie → lying → lied → lied
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| lie | People sometimes lie. |
| lying | He is lying about his age. |
| lied | He lied to me yesterday. |
| lied | He has lied before. |
Cambridge distinguishes these two meanings and their verb forms. (Cambridge Dictionary)
So:
She lay on the couch.
She was resting.
But:
She lied about the meeting.
She told something untrue.
That small difference can completely change the meaning of a sentence.
Lying vs Laying: What Is the Difference?
Lying and laying are another common source of confusion.
Use “lying” for being in a position
The cat is lying on the sofa.
The books are lying on the desk.
He was lying in bed.
Here, the subject is already in a position.
Use “laying” when putting something somewhere
Laying comes from lay, which means putting something down. It normally takes an object.
She is laying the book on the table.
He was laying the papers on the desk.
They are laying the tiles carefully.
A simple way to remember the difference is:
lying = being/resting somewhere
laying = putting something somewhere
Cambridge likewise explains that lay takes an object, while the positional verb lie does not. (Cambridge Dictionary)
Compare:
The baby is lying on the bed. ✅
The mother is laying the baby on the bed. ✅
The first sentence describes the baby’s position. The second describes someone putting the baby into that position.
Common Mistakes With “Lying”
1. Writing “lieing”
❌ He was lieing on the floor.
✅ He was lying on the floor.
The -ie → -y spelling change fixes the mistake.
2. Writing “dieing”
❌ The plant is dieing.
✅ The plant is dying.
The same rule applies.
3. Writing “tieing”
❌ She is tieing her shoes.
✅ She is tying her shoes.
Again:
tie → tying
4. Using “laying” when you mean resting
❌ I am laying on the couch.
✅ I am lying on the couch.
If you are talking about your own position, lying is the appropriate form.
5. Using “lied” for the past of positional “lie”
❌ I lied on the grass yesterday.
✅ I lay on the grass yesterday.
Here, lay is the past tense of lie meaning “rest or be in a position.” (Cambridge Dictionary)
Examples of “Lying” in Everyday English
Talking about position
The children were lying on the grass after the game.
My phone was lying on the kitchen counter.
She is lying in bed because she is tired.
We spent an hour lying under the shade of a tree.
Talking about dishonesty
He was lying about where he had been.
She knew that her friend was lying.
The employee admitted to lying about the report.
Why are you lying to me?
These examples show why context matters: lying can describe either a physical position or dishonesty.
Is “Lieing” Ever Correct?
No. For standard modern English, use lying when forming the -ing form of lie.
The standard spelling is:
lie → lying
Not:
lie → lieing
If you see lieing in an email, essay, article, caption, or other modern English writing, it should normally be corrected to lying.
How to Remember the Spelling
You only need one rule:
Verbs ending in -ie change -ie to -y before -ing.
Remember these three together:
lie → lying
die → dying
tie → tying
So when you hesitate between lieing or lying, think:
IE changes to Y.
That gives you the correct spelling immediately.
Lieing or Lying: Quick Comparison
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Which spelling is correct? | Lying |
| Is “lieing” correct? | No |
| What is the -ing form of lie? | Lying |
| Why does lie become lying? | -ie changes to -y before -ing |
| Can “lying” mean resting? | Yes |
| Can “lying” mean telling an untruth? | Yes |
| Past tense of lie = rest? | Lay |
| Past participle of lie = rest? | Lain |
| Past tense of lie = tell an untruth? | Lied |
| Is “laying” the same as “lying”? | No |
FAQs
Is “lieing” or “lying” correct?
Lying is correct. Lieing is a misspelling.
Why is “lying” spelled with a y?
Because verbs ending in -ie change -ie to -y before -ing:
lie → lying, die → dying, and tie → tying. (Our Languages)
What is the present participle of “lie”?
The present participle is lying.
She is lying on the sofa.
Is it “lying in bed” or “laying in bed”?
Use lying in bed when you mean someone is resting or positioned in bed.
I was lying in bed when you called.
Laying is used when someone is putting something down:
She was laying the blanket on the bed.
What is the past tense of “lie”?
It depends on the meaning.
For resting or being in a position, the past tense is lay:
I lay on the sofa yesterday.
For telling an untruth, the past tense is lied:
He lied about his age. (Cambridge Dictionary)
Is “lying” used in both British and American English?
Yes. Lying is the standard spelling in both British and American English. The spelling does not change based on the variety of English.
Conclusion
When choosing between lieing or lying, use lying. The spelling follows the -ie → -y before -ing pattern: lie → lying, just as die → dying and tie → tying. (Our Languages)
The bigger challenge is knowing what lying means in context and keeping lying, laying, lay, lain, and lied separate.
Once you remember the spelling rule and the difference between the two meanings of lie, this common mistake becomes much easier to avoid.
Correct: lying
Incorrect: lieing
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Hi, I’m Olivia Bennett, a dedicated grammar writer at GrammarHQ.com.
I specialize in simplifying spelling differences, confusing words, and English grammar concepts, helping readers write with greater clarity, accuracy, and confidence.
