Transcript Verb Forms - Lie and Lay #99a

From
Real Good Grammar, Too
By
Mamie Webb Hixon
Created by Kathy Conforti Carey
Edited by Mamie Webb Hixon
January 22, 2012
Which word should you use?
Do not confuse the transitive verb LAY (which has
an object) with the intransitive LIE (which does
not).
The principal parts of LAY are
lay
lays
laying
laid
(has) laid
We will LAY (put down) the new carpet next
week.
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 down
somewhere yesterday.
I’m always LAYING (placing) things down and
forgetting where I LAID (placed) them.
The principal parts of LIE are
lie
lies
lying
lay
(has) lain
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 the
couch.
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.
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.
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.
• 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.
• 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.