Do We Lay, Lie or Get Laid? The Most Perplexing Grammar Conundrum Explained
Everyone has to think twice about this one!
Recently I have edited several manuscripts in which the writer has got the whole lay/lie thing wrong every time. I’m not surprised. When I’m writing, I have to stop and think it through myself, and I’m supposed to know this stuff!
Part of the problem is we get confused between ourselves and the object. And then there’s that other pesky version of the word, which is all about telling fibs, or porkies, or untruths. Yes, lies.
So here is a simple guide that I hope will help.
Really, the clue lies (LoL) in what I said above. It’s about who or what is lying or being laid.
Present tense (tense is important).
If it’s you or your character, you are lying. Lying on the bed, lying down, lying down on the job, lying on the floor. It’s the person, you or George or Mildred, lying. Down, on, across, above. Lying. Think YOU/ME.
But if you or your character have something in your hand, you’re laying it. Laying it on the floor, on the bed, laying flowers on the grave, laying concrete on the path. Think OBJECT.
