"Laid Out" vs "Layed Out": Which Is Correct?
Confused about 'laid out' vs 'layed out'? Learn why 'laid out' is the correct form, when to use it, and helpful examples to improve your writing.
Let's clear up any confusion right away: "laid out" is the correct form. "Layed out" is incorrect and should never be used in writing. Understanding why this is the case will help you avoid this common spelling mistake.
The Simple Truth About "Laid Out" vs "Layed Out"
Here's what you need to know:
- Laid out is the correct past tense form
- Layed out is an incorrect spelling that doesn't exist in standard English
- Lay out is the present tense form
Understanding "Laid Out"
"Laid out" is the past tense and past participle of "lay out." It's used in several contexts:
- To arrange or display items systematically
- To explain something in detail
- To plan or design something
- To prepare a dead body for burial (formal usage)
Common Uses of "Laid Out"
Here are some correct ways to use "laid out":
Context | Example |
---|---|
Arranging | She laid out her clothes for tomorrow. |
Planning | The architect laid out the building plans. |
Explaining | The professor laid out the course requirements. |
Designing | We laid out the garden beds last spring. |
How to Use "Lay Out" Correctly (Present Tense)
The present tense form "lay out" follows different rules:
- Present tense: I/you/we/they lay out
- Present continuous: I am laying out
- Past tense: I/you/we/they laid out
- Past participle: have/has/had laid out
Quick Tips to Remember
- If you're writing in the past tense, always use laid out
- There is no such word as "layed" in English
- When in doubt, remember: lay → laid → laid
- Think "paid" - if you can replace the word with "paid" and it makes sense grammatically, use "laid"
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Wrong: I layed out the dinner plates. Correct: I laid out the dinner plates.
Wrong: She had layed out all the options. Correct: She had laid out all the options.
FAQ About "Laid Out"
Q: Why do people write "layed out"? A: The confusion often comes from the irregular pattern of the verb "lay." Since many verbs add "-ed" for past tense, people mistakenly apply this rule to "lay."
Q: Can "laid out" be hyphenated? A: Yes, when used as a compound adjective before a noun: "The well-laid-out plan worked perfectly."
Q: What about "layout" as one word? A: "Layout" is a noun meaning the way something is arranged: "I like the layout of this room."
Conclusion
Remember: "laid out" is always correct, while "layed out" is always wrong. When writing about past actions, stick with "laid out" and you'll never go wrong.
Other Commonly Confused Words
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