Grammar Tips & Articles »

Liar vs. Lier

This Grammar.com article is about Liar vs. Lier — enjoy your reading!


2:03 min read
83,443 Views
  Marius Alza  —  Grammar Tips
Font size:

Even though there is a slight spelling difference between “liar” and “lier”, their meanings are actually completely different. They might look similar and have the same origin, but “liar” and “lier” should never be confused in a message because they refer to completely different concepts.

Let’s explain what both words mean and how to use them properly so you will never get confused in front of them!

Liar vs. Lier

The confusion and similarity between “liar” and “lier” mainly owes to their same origin. More exactly, both words are formed from the verb “to lie”. Their different meanings, consequently, are owed to the multiple meanings that “to lie” refers to. More exactly, “to lie” can refer to not saying the truth, but it can also mean to stay in a horizontal, flat position on a certain surface.
So when it comes to “liar” and “lier”, the first one is the noun referring to the person who “lies”, with the meaning of not saying the truth, while “lier” is the noun for the other sense of the verb “to lie”. “Lier” is less commonly used and describes a person positioned horizontally on a flat surface.

When do we use “liar”?

“Liar” is a very common word in the English vocabulary anytime when you want to describe a person who is not saying the truth. “Liar” is defined as a noun referring to someone who is telling lies.
Example: Everyone in the village knew better than to trust that liar. – “liar” is used to describe a person who usually tells lies.

When do we use “lier”?

“Lier” should only be used for someone positioned horizontally, and this happens very rarely, as “lier” is not a very usual word in English. On the other hand, “lier” should never be used with the same meaning as “liar” and must never replace it, because it will definitely be considered a misspelling.
Example: Stop spending all your day in bed, people will start calling you a lazy lier! – “lier” is referring to a person sitting in a flat, horizontal position.

Conclusion

The explanation for “liar” and “lier” is simple and easy to remember. They both come from “to lie”, which explains their similarity, yet they have different meanings, just like “to lie” can refer to several actions. “Liar” is a common English word, referring to a person who tells lies, whereas “lier” is rarely used to describe a person who lies in a horizontal position.

Liar vs. Lier

Rate this article:

Have a discussion about this article with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this article to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Liar vs. Lier." Grammar.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 6 Oct. 2024. <https://www.grammar.com/liar_vs._lier>.

    Checkout our entire collection of

    Grammar Articles

    »

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Check your text and writing for style, spelling and grammar problems everywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Check your text and writing for style, spelling and grammar problems everywhere on the web!

    Free Writing Tool:

    Instant
    Grammar Checker

    Improve your grammar, vocabulary, style, and writing — all for FREE!


    Quiz

    Are you a grammar master?

    »
    Choose the sentence with correct use of the possessive apostrophe:
    A Hes going to his friend's house.
    B Its a beautiful day.
    C Theyre planning to leave in an hour's time.
    D The dog's leash is in the car.

    Improve your writing now:

    Download Grammar eBooks

    It’s now more important than ever to develop a powerful writing style. After all, most communication takes place in reports, emails, and instant messages.