Answer: What is the difference between "lie" and "lay," and why are they so often misused?
...with examples from Stargate Atlantis, Bones, Due South, NCIS, and Psych...
Question: What is the difference between "lie" and "lay," and why are they so often misused?
"Lie" can be a verb or noun, while "lay" can be a verb, noun, or adjective. In all their manifestations, these two words are a constant source of errors. For the purposes of answering this question, however, I will focus on them as verbs with the following definitions:
lie intr. vb. to be in a horizontal, recumbent, or prostrate position, as on a bed or the ground; recline.
The Little Boy Cat lies down on the sofa.
Abandoned belongings were lying along the streets as Sheppard and his team walked through the village.
Diefenbaker lay in the shade and watched his pups play.
The case files have lain on Gibbs' desk since yesterday.
lay tr. vb. to put or place in a horizontal position or position of rest; set down
Rodney must lay down the Ancient device.
Booth and Bones are laying a trap in hopes of catching the killer.
Chief Vick laid her daughter in the crib for a nap.
Verb Forms
Notice that while both words are verbs, one is transitive and the other is intransitive. A transitive verb shows a person or thing performing an action on something else; this "something else" is called the direct object. Thus, "lay," the transitive verb, requires a direct object to complete its meaning, while "lie," the intransitive verb, does not.
Rodney lies down wearily on the exam table and waits for Dr. Keller to get to him. (intransitive)
Rodney lays himself down wearily on the exam table and waits for Dr. Keller to get to him. (transitive)
As with other transitive verbs, it doesn't matter what the object is; if there's an object, use a form of "lay." Also, the transitive and intransitive verb forms often vary only slightly or not at all, making it one reason they are often misused.
Verb Tenses
Another reason proper use is complicated is variations and similarities in the different tenses. The forms for "lay" are regular, while the ones for "lie" are irregular:
Infinitiveto layInfinitiveto lieGerundlayingGerundlyingPresentlay, laysPresentlie, liesPastlaidPastlayFuturewill layFuturewill liePerfecthave laid, has laidPerfecthave lain, has lainPast Perfecthad laidPast Perfecthad lainFuture Perfectwill have laidFuture Perfectwill have lain
Note: These tables are simplified and may be confusing. See Verbix: Conjugate English Verbs for separate tables and more information.
To lie:
Ray lies down.
Ray went home and lay down.
Later, Ray will lie down in his office.
Ray has lain down since five o'clock.
Ray had lain down for three hours before Fraser woke him with information on the case.
Tonight, Ray will have lain down for almost 12 full hours.
To lay:
"Ronon, lay down your sword," Teyla said.
Ronon laid down his sword after the battle.
Later, Ronon will lay down his sword next to him.
Ronon has laid down his sword now for five minutes.
Ronon had laid down his sword for five minutes before he picked it up and returned it to its sheath.
Tomorrow, Ronon will have laid down his sword for less than an hour total in the last few days.
Notice that the past tense form for "lie" is identical with the present tense or infinitive form of "lay." Are you beginning to see why it's not hard to get confused?
Summary:
To answer the first part of the question, if "place" or "put" can be substituted in a sentence, use a form of "lay." If the word you want to use fits the definition to be in a horizontal position, recline or to rest, remain, be situated, etc., you must use "lie." As to why the words are so often misused, it is due to the fact that "lay" is transitive and "lie" is intransitive. Also, the past tense of "lie" is the same as the present tense of "lay." While forms of "lay" are commonly heard in place of "lie," such use is nonstandard in edited written English. So, how can you make sure you use "lie" and "lay" correctly? There are no simple rules for dealing with them. You must either commit their various forms to memory or avoid them altogether.
Resources:
Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words (Bill Bryson)
Dictionary.com
Exploring English: Transitive/Intransitive
Verbix: Conjugate English Verbs
Question: What is the difference between "lie" and "lay," and why are they so often misused?
"Lie" can be a verb or noun, while "lay" can be a verb, noun, or adjective. In all their manifestations, these two words are a constant source of errors. For the purposes of answering this question, however, I will focus on them as verbs with the following definitions:
lie intr. vb. to be in a horizontal, recumbent, or prostrate position, as on a bed or the ground; recline.
The Little Boy Cat lies down on the sofa.
Abandoned belongings were lying along the streets as Sheppard and his team walked through the village.
Diefenbaker lay in the shade and watched his pups play.
The case files have lain on Gibbs' desk since yesterday.
lay tr. vb. to put or place in a horizontal position or position of rest; set down
Rodney must lay down the Ancient device.
Booth and Bones are laying a trap in hopes of catching the killer.
Chief Vick laid her daughter in the crib for a nap.
Verb Forms
Notice that while both words are verbs, one is transitive and the other is intransitive. A transitive verb shows a person or thing performing an action on something else; this "something else" is called the direct object. Thus, "lay," the transitive verb, requires a direct object to complete its meaning, while "lie," the intransitive verb, does not.
Rodney lies down wearily on the exam table and waits for Dr. Keller to get to him. (intransitive)
Rodney lays himself down wearily on the exam table and waits for Dr. Keller to get to him. (transitive)
As with other transitive verbs, it doesn't matter what the object is; if there's an object, use a form of "lay." Also, the transitive and intransitive verb forms often vary only slightly or not at all, making it one reason they are often misused.
Verb Tenses
Another reason proper use is complicated is variations and similarities in the different tenses. The forms for "lay" are regular, while the ones for "lie" are irregular:
Infinitiveto layInfinitiveto lieGerundlayingGerundlyingPresentlay, laysPresentlie, liesPastlaidPastlayFuturewill layFuturewill liePerfecthave laid, has laidPerfecthave lain, has lainPast Perfecthad laidPast Perfecthad lainFuture Perfectwill have laidFuture Perfectwill have lain
Note: These tables are simplified and may be confusing. See Verbix: Conjugate English Verbs for separate tables and more information.
To lie:
Ray lies down.
Ray went home and lay down.
Later, Ray will lie down in his office.
Ray has lain down since five o'clock.
Ray had lain down for three hours before Fraser woke him with information on the case.
Tonight, Ray will have lain down for almost 12 full hours.
To lay:
"Ronon, lay down your sword," Teyla said.
Ronon laid down his sword after the battle.
Later, Ronon will lay down his sword next to him.
Ronon has laid down his sword now for five minutes.
Ronon had laid down his sword for five minutes before he picked it up and returned it to its sheath.
Tomorrow, Ronon will have laid down his sword for less than an hour total in the last few days.
Notice that the past tense form for "lie" is identical with the present tense or infinitive form of "lay." Are you beginning to see why it's not hard to get confused?
Summary:
To answer the first part of the question, if "place" or "put" can be substituted in a sentence, use a form of "lay." If the word you want to use fits the definition to be in a horizontal position, recline or to rest, remain, be situated, etc., you must use "lie." As to why the words are so often misused, it is due to the fact that "lay" is transitive and "lie" is intransitive. Also, the past tense of "lie" is the same as the present tense of "lay." While forms of "lay" are commonly heard in place of "lie," such use is nonstandard in edited written English. So, how can you make sure you use "lie" and "lay" correctly? There are no simple rules for dealing with them. You must either commit their various forms to memory or avoid them altogether.
Resources:
Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words (Bill Bryson)
Dictionary.com
Exploring English: Transitive/Intransitive
Verbix: Conjugate English Verbs