Hi, I was doing a search on common mistakes in English an I found this text:

“ Two very easily confused words.  Lay, laid, laid: principal parts of the verb which means “ to put (place) down, or in position.” “I shall lay the rug”.” I laid the rug.”” I have laid the rug.” Lay is a transitive verb: that is, it takes an object..

Lie, lay lain: principal parts of the verb which means “ to recline or response.” “ She will lie in the hammock.” “ She is lying in the hammock.” “ She lay in he hammock.” “ She lay in the hammock yesterday.”  “ She has lain there all afternoon.” Lie is an intransitive verb; it never takes an object.”

Is he kidding? Is it that “lay” means for example to place something on the floor? “ lie” means not to say the truth? (I know it means that) And “lie also means to place something on the floor?  Please explain.  Thanks a lot, bye.

Anonymous wrote:

Hi, I was doing a search on common mistakes in English an I found this text: “ Two very easily confused words.  Lay, laid, laid: principal parts of the verb which means “ to put (place) down, or in position.” “I shall lay the rug”.” I laid the rug.”” I have laid the rug.” Lay is a transitive verb: that is, it takes an object..   Lie, lay lain: principal parts of the verb which means “ to recline or response.” “ She will lie in the hammock.” “ She is lying in the hammock.” “ She lay in he hammock.” “ She lay in the hammock yesterday.”  “ She has lain there all afternoon.” Lie is an intransitive verb; it never takes an object.”

Because the simple past of "to lie" is "lay," the bare infinitive and primary form of "to lay." And the "I have lain" form throws us all - it's not used much, but "laid" is heard often, so we want to use "laid" when "lain" is correct. Not many of our verb forms take the -n ending when the verb itself doesnt end in -n. Sewn, lain, worn.... and even with sewn, you'll also hear "have sewed," which is listed as an alternative.

I have no trouble with lie and lay in the present, but I have to stop and think when I go to the past or present perfect to make sure I have the correct form of the verb.

Kooyeen wrote:

Thanks! I really don't understand the problem, but thanks, lol