Take a look at the sentence again:
If Della hadn't __________ the leaky take-out container of moo goo gai pan
on the top shelf of the refrigerator, she would not have had to mop up the
ooze that dripped over four shelves of food.
Della put the take-out container on the top shelf. Thus, you need a form of lay. Since the sentence has the auxiliary verb had, you need the past participle. Consult the table below or review the rules.
| Infinitive | Definition | Simple Present | Simple Past | Past Participle | Present Participle |
| to lay | to put something down | lay(s) | laid | laid | laying |
| to lie | to rest or recline | lie(s) | lay | lain | lying |