Question

module 8: correct use of verbs
lie and lay
8d the verb lie means “to rest,” or “to stay, to recline,” or “to remain in a certain
state or position.” lie never takes an object. the verb lay means “to put
(something) in a place.” lay usually takes an object.
principal parts of lie and lay
the following example shows how you can ask questions to determine which verb—lie
or lay—should be used.
example
the baby (lay, laid) among the pillows on the sofa.
question 1: what do i want to say? is the meaning “to be in a lying position,” or is it
“to put something down”?
the meaning is “to be in a lying position.” therefore, the verb should be
lie.
question 2: what time does the verb express, and which principal part is used to show
this time?
the verb expresses the past, and the sentence requires the past form. the
past form of lie is lay.
answer
the baby lay among the pillows on the sofa.
exercise 4 choosing the correct forms of lie and lay
underline the correct form of lie or lay in parentheses in each of the following sentences.
ex. pam (lay, laid) her books down next to mine on the kitchen table.

1. lusita is (lying, laying) on the sand, watching the waves and listening to the gulls.
2. they have (lain, laid) down their brushes and are taking a break from painting the

house.

1. libya (lies, lays) north of niger and chad in africa.
2. jules has (lain, laid) on the couch for three days, recuperating from the flu.
3. while amir is (lying, laying) out the bases, the players are warming up.

Explanation:

1. For "Lusita is (lying, laying) on the sand...", "lying" is correct as it means to rest (no object), which fits the context of Lusita resting on the sand.
2. For "They have (lain, laid) down their brushes...", "laid" is correct as "lay" (to put) has past - participle "laid" and they are putting down brushes (object).
3. For "Libya (lies, lays) north of Niger...", "lies" is correct as it means to be in a position (no object, just stating Libya's position).
4. For "Jules has (lain, laid) on the couch...", "lain" is correct as "lie" (to rest) has past - participle "lain" (Jules is resting on the couch, no object).
5. For "While Amir is (lying, laying) out the bases...", "laying" is correct as "lay" (to put) is used with the object "the bases".

Answer:

1. lying
2. laid
3. lies
4. lain
5. laying