September 9, 2008
Don’t “lay” down on the job
As a professional copywriter and copyeditor, I know firsthand the confusion that comes with choosing between the words “lie” and “lay.” It’s not easy. So my dog, Riley, and I decided to help clarify the usage of these two words. (We’re not ones to let sleeping dogs lie.)
lie
definition: to place oneself or be in a horizontal position
- does not take a direct object
- past tense: lay
- past participle: lain
- present participle: lying
examples:
Riley lies in the grass.
Yesterday, Riley also lay in the grass.
She has lain outside for hours.
She is lying by my shade garden.
lay
definition: to put in a low or horizontal position
- takes a direct object
- past tense: laid
- past participle: laid
- present participle: laying
examples:
I lay Riley’s bone on the floor.
I laid Riley on my lap when she was a puppy.
I have laid her toys by her bed.
My husband is laying her water bowl on the lawn.
Any questions? Lay your cards on the table.
Filed by rebecca at 5:10 pm under Grammar guide
Ah, a good one!
I hate it when Colin says to Lucy, “Lay down.”
GRRR!
Thanks, Steph!
When I took Riley to obedience class, I heard that all the time.
(Is that you or Lucy growling?)
Oh my mother would love you for this one. Out of all the language gaffs people make, for some reason this one drives her right around the bend.
See Rily lay, see Rily lie, good dog Rily, good dog.
It’s totally me. All Lucy hears is “DOWN,” anyway!
Urban Panther: It’s funny how certain grammar errors can drive people nuts. For me, it’s “its, it’s.” Not sure why, but I get the shakes when I see it improperly written. More to come on that one
Good point, Steph. All Riley sees (and smells) is the treat we hold over her nose until she lies down …
Thanks so much for this post, but I’m afraid it’s not going to do me any good. No matter how many times people explain the differences, I still mix them up. Most of the time I just avoid them.
Hard-headedly yours…. B.
great pic of riley laying or lying??? (i can’t keep them straight either
) in front of those beautiful elephant ears!!!!!!!!!
xoxo
Beth: If it makes you feel any better, I still can’t write or edit any version of “lie” or “lay” without my trusty stylebook by my side.
Of course, you avoided the entire topic of “getting laid”.
(heh heh heh).
Yaaay! Riley’s back. Sure do love that girl. (Wow, what a great photo.)
And thanks for making it fun for this old dog to learn new writing tricks.
Friar: The thought never occurred to me … wait, is that phrase grammatically correct?
Dad aka “old dog”: Yup, she’s back by popular demand
why are our parents commenting on your blog? i think that’s hilarious!
I think it’s awesome. It’s a family blog!