UWF WRITING LABRULES OF THUMB FOR LAY, LIE

MINI-LESSON #99A

From

Real Good Grammar, TooBy

Mamie Webb Hixon

Created by Kathy Conforti CareyEdited by Mamie Webb Hixon

January 22, 2012

LAY versus LIE

Which word should you use?

Do not confuse the transitive verb LAY (which has an object) with the intransitive

LIE (which does not).

LAY “TO PUT OR PLACE SOMETHING”

The principal parts of LAY arelaylays

layinglaid

(has) laid

EXAMPLES OF

LAY

We will LAY (put down) the new carpet nextweek.

When LAYING (putting down) tile, you must be careful to get it straight.

Someone has LAID (placed) my keys in the wrong place.

I must have LAID (placed) my brush downsomewhere yesterday.

I’m always LAYING (placing) things down andforgetting where I LAID (placed) them.

LIE“TO REST OR RECLINE”

The principal parts of LIE arelielies

lyinglay

(has) lain

EXAMPLES OF

LIE

Small children should LIE (recline) down for a nap after lunch.

The baby LAY (reclined) awake and cried all night.

The cicada hoard HAS LAIN (rested) dormant for

years, awaiting the right time to strike.

I found your keys LYING (resting) under thecouch.

The first command my dog learned was “LIE

(recline) down, Spike.”

The robber told the bank tellers and the customers to LIE (recline) down on the floor.

Do not confuse present tense LAY (to place) with past tense LAY

(reclined, rested).

Though some trained professionals and students

claim to have learned that inanimate objects/things cannot lie (rest) – that only

people lie (rest) – no such rule exists.

As the following examples will illustrate, both people and inanimate objects may be found LYING (in a resting position):

Trees were LYING on the ground after the hurricane.

Tourists can be seen LYING on the beach getting

suntans.

Your keys are LYING on the desk.

Let’s Practice!

• I (layed/laid) the book on the table yesterday.

I LAID the book on the table yesterday.

• I think I will (lay/lie) down and take a nap. I think I will LIE down and take a

nap.

• My cat is (laying/lying) in its bed. My cat is LYING on its bed.

More Practice!

• The book is (laying/lying) on the table. The book is LAYING on the table.

• I (lay/laid) around all day yesterday.I LAY around all day yesterday.

• You’re (laying/lying) on my blanket. You’re LYING on my table.