Can somebody direct me to that thread in GFG that discusses the differences between Lay, Lie, Layed, etc.? There are so many threads to sort through! Please, your help is appreciated!
Lay, Lie, Lying, etc.
- Thread starter jennifer75
- Start date
- Status
Don't know where the thread is, but if you Google lie vs. lay you'll come up with a bunch of pages explaining the difference. Here's one to get you started.
I found it!
Yeah, I hate that, too. I think this is how it works, but I could be wrong (hopefully not):
lie (reclining)
present: lying
past: lay
past perfect (or whatever it's called): have lain
lie (putting down)
present: laying
past: laid
past perfect: have laid
Someone tell me if I'm wrong, though!!
So would it be:
Her world came crashing down around her, thinking back to the first time she'd laid eyes on him.
Her world came crashing down around her, thinking back to the first time she'd laid eyes on him.
Well, British English isn't overall any more standard than American English
But as far as I know, there aren't any major dialects of British English in which people would say "I'm going to lay down on the bed now." -- and even though "lie" in Scottish standard English, at least in Aberdeen, is pronounced a lot like "lay" to my ears, I never met an Aberdonian who had the two confused.
(This is gleaned from a youth misspent in the British school system, some years of it in Aberdeen, rather than from being a real brit.)
In many American dialects, however, lie and lay are used interchangably. However, in the "standard" prescriptive form of the language, that's not allowed. So it trips a lot of people up.
But as far as I know, there aren't any major dialects of British English in which people would say "I'm going to lay down on the bed now." -- and even though "lie" in Scottish standard English, at least in Aberdeen, is pronounced a lot like "lay" to my ears, I never met an Aberdonian who had the two confused.
(This is gleaned from a youth misspent in the British school system, some years of it in Aberdeen, rather than from being a real brit.)
In many American dialects, however, lie and lay are used interchangably. However, in the "standard" prescriptive form of the language, that's not allowed. So it trips a lot of people up.
Oh, that's interesting. Thank you for explaining! I think that may be why I've noticed even very grammar-aware Americans getting it wrong. I was bewildered (and not a little distressed!).
- Status