LAURA FINEBERG COOPER
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Spoonful#28: LIE/LAY/LAID

9/15/2019

5 Comments

 
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This is "wings down" the most mind boggling word trio around. Period. If you're confused, rest assured, you're in good company. But I aim to clear that confusion, so pour yourself a beverage and grab your glasses. I'll do my best to LAY the rules on you straight!

Perhaps the biggest cause for confusion has to do with the mixed up present and past tense forms. So I'll take them one at a time. 

PRESENT TENSE:
LIE is an action YOU DO FOR YOURSELF. It typically means to stretch out on the floor, bed, or couch. It's also appropriate to command another person or animal to do it, as long the ones you command are in control. (LIE is also the opposite of TRUTH, another topic entirely.) Here are two examples: 

1) "It's bedtime, Spike, so LIE down," you say in your firmest voice. But Spike grabs his ball and runs circles around the kitchen table instead.
2) Oh boy, I'm feeling sleepy. I think I'm going to LIE down.

 
LAY is appropriate when YOU'RE ACTING ON SOMEONE OR SOMETHING ELSE. Even a part of one's own self qualifies as "something else" where LAY is concerned! You can LAY a book upon a table, LAY your hand on your heart, or LAY your hand on someone else's arm. Here's a two-for-one example:

​When I LAY my book on the ottoman, my dog LAYS her head on top of it. 

Now for PAST TENSE: 
LAY IS THE PAST TENSE OF LIE! Now you know the root of your confusion!! Here are two examples:

1) When I LAY on my bed last night, I got the worst pain in my lower back.
2) I asked Spike to LAY down, but he ran in circles instead. 


LAID IS THE PAST TENSE OF LAY! At least this seems to make sense. Here's an example:

When I LAID my tower of books on the table, I made triply sure they didn't fall. 

I'll leave you with this handy chart, courtesy of Grammar Lunchbox.

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Thanks for reading my humble blog. If there are any word pairs that especially vex you, let me know! I wish you all a wonderful week ahead.

Sincerely,
​Laura Fineberg Cooper
5 Comments
Kirsti Call link
9/15/2019 03:00:01 pm

Love this one!!! Using these words incorrectly is one of my pet peeves... thank you, Laura!

Reply
Laura Fineberg Cooper link
9/18/2019 06:51:39 pm

Dear Kirsti:
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Reply
Adaela McLaughlin
9/16/2019 05:16:26 pm

What do you think about:
Now I lay me down to sleep...
Is lay used because I am laying (!!) myself down as if I were an object? There are also those tricky present participles.

Reply
Laura Fineberg Cooper link
9/16/2019 07:41:08 pm

Dear Adaela,
Thanks for reading my blog! You pose a tricky question, but the short answer is yes. If your phrase didn't include "me," it would read "Now I lie down to sleep..."

"Now I lay me down to sleep" is much like "Now I lay my hand upon my heart." I am laying myself down is also correct! Good job, fellow grammar girl!

Reply
Marcia Strykowski link
9/22/2019 07:00:27 am

I've always had trouble with lay and lie which means I'll be returning to this post again and again. Thanks!

Reply



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    Welcome to
    ​A Spoonful of Grammar!

    Swallowing too many grammar rules at once can be hazardous to one's health. That's why my goal is to deliver one spoonful at a time - in the most delightful way.
    ​

    Sincerely,
    Laura Fineberg Cooper

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  • Home
  • EDITING
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    • Overview
    • Grades 6-8
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