Another "Lay" Question

Eeman · Jul 5, 2007

I know there are many threads on this topic. But I have a quick question about a specific sentence that I can't seem to figure out. Basically, I want to change this sentence so that it is in the past tense:

Herein lies a technique I could use whenever...[rest of sentence]

Would it be (in the past):

Herein lay a technique I could use whenever...[rest of sentence]

(Quick) help much appreciated! Thanks!

Bufty · Jul 5, 2007

For the past one, perhaps - - Therein lay....?

Depends how you intend using the sentence, but the verbs look OK to me.

Eeman · Jul 5, 2007

Thanks for your help.

The character (first person) is explaining something she discovered in a book (a technique) and how she could use it, so I think herein (referring to the book) works fine.

What I am confused about is whether it should be:

Herein lay

or:

Herein laid

Del · Jul 5, 2007

I would say it is present tense so I think 'Herein lies' is proper.

However, to avoid the confusion there are several ways to say what you want. I recommend you explore other options. Herein is a rather stuffy word. If this is your character then great. If you want common chit chat then try "this is".

only my three cents. (inflation)

FennelGiraffe · Jul 5, 2007

Eeman said:
What I am confused about is whether it should be:

Herein lay

or:

Herein laid

The past tense of to lie is lay.
The past tense of to lay, an entirely different verb, is laid.

It might help if you use conventional word order (for thinking about it)

Present: Herein lies the answer = The answer lies in here.
Past: The answer lay in here = Herein lay the answer.

I also have to say 'here' sounds odd with past tense, but I'll trust you that it makes sense in context.

Bufty · Jul 6, 2007

Herein laid - Laid in this context is wrong. It's the wrong verb - no-one is laying an egg, or anything else!!!

Eeman said:
Thanks for your help.

The character (first person) is explaining something she discovered in a book (a technique) and how she could use it, so I think herein (referring to the book) works fine.

What I am confused about is whether it should be:

Herein lay

or:

Herein laid

Eeman · Jul 6, 2007

Thanks for the additional input.

It is definitely in the past tense, and I am not the one who wrote it. I am editing it for someone else. After ten hours of working, I just got to the point where nothing looked right.

no-one is laying an egg, or anything else!!!

Thanks, I'll remember this for the future.

Another "Lay" Question

Eeman

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

Eeman

Del

Sky isn't falling, ground is rising

FennelGiraffe

It's green they say

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

Eeman