Answer: What is the difference between "lie" and "lay," and why are they so often misused?

[skroberts]

...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?

Comments

[wanted_a_pony]

Oh dear. I used to think I knew what I was doing: lie/lay/lain or lay/laid/laid.

Now I'm terminally confused. That's the trouble with absorbing a language when you're too young to think about it. When you *do* try to think about it, you're reduced to the verbal/cognitive skills you had when you learned.

Ah! Solution = only use it in terribly good PWP fic so no one will *notice* if you screw it up! :-)

[skroberts]

:P

I think knowing about the whole direct object thing has finally made me understand it. Well, as much as it can be understood. *g*

[roadrunner1896]

Okay, I came back, but I think I am still not 100% sure I got it. You used to many foreign words. ;)

Please keep correcting me if you see me using them wrong.

Until then I will lie down next to Ray and snuggle a bit. ;)

[skroberts]

I think I may finally understand it myself. If there is a direct object, use "lay". If no direct object, use "lie". If you don't know what a direct object is, don't use "lie" or "lay". :P

[roadrunner1896]

Yeah, thanks. That is helpful. Because "lie" and "lay" are so seldomly useful. :p

I will keep using them and you will have to correct me. Again and again and again. Until I finally get it right.

Right now I should lay down the laptop to lie down in bed for a bit of sleep. But I won't. I have to watch a Callum movie first. ;)

[skroberts]

More Info:

http://fandom-grammar.livejournal.com/67325.html