The Grammar Doctor

lie, lay

I'm going to lay down for a while.
Lay down, Spot.
For two weeks I'm just going to lay in the sun.
He just lays around all day.

It hurt the Grammar Doctor's fingers to type those sentences. The verb in each one should be " lie" rather than " lay." In recent years the Grammar Doctor has heard these words misused by professionals, including physicians and even (Gasp!) English teachers! Language does change, and a few years ago we checked the American Heritage Dictionary to see if it had become acceptable to say things like, " I'm going to lay down for a while."

It had not.

" Lay" takes an object; " lie" does not. To put it another way, we lay something down. We do not lie something down.

• The hen lays an egg.
• You can lay your books on the table.
• Someone can lay carpet in the den.
• You can always lay the blame on someone else.
• After this, I'm going to lie down for a while.
• My dog will lie down also.
• My sister is going to lie in the sun.
• My brother -in-law lies around all day.