The Right Word

L

lacks/lax

lacks: To be deficient in something desirable, necessary, or customary (this argument lacks substance)

lax: To be negligent or careless (he is lax about turning the lights off when he goes out)

lade/laid

lade: To take on cargo; to dip or ladle (the lunch lady lade the chili into bowls)

laid: The past tense and participle of the verb “to lay” meaning to put down (she was laid to rest next to her husband in the cemetery)

laid/lade (see lade/laid)

lain/lane

lain: The past participle of the verb “to lie” (I had lain down to sleep)

lane: ...