Why do people from the US say "lay" when they mean "lie" (as in ... down)?
Because Americans are stupid and lazy.
Hey, I'm -one- of them and I think that.
It's completely Eric Clapton's fault.
"Lay down, Sally, and rest you in my arms.
Don't you think you want someone to talk to?
Lay down, Sally, no need to leave so soon.
I've been trying all night long just to talk to you."
Actually it isn't wrong. The verb 'to lay' means to put in a horizontal position, which is what you do when you lay down. The verb 'to lie' means pretty much the same thing, so I guess, ultimately, it's just a matter of preference.
You say tom(ay)to, I say to(ma)to. One person says b(ay)gel, another says b(a)gel.
In this particular case I think it is a matter of preference. I think it also depends on its placement in a sentence. For example, many people use both (thee) and (the), spelled "the" in either pronunciation, in regular conversation. "Thee" is most commonly used when its placed at the beginning of a sentence, and the regular "the" is spoken in middle parts of a sentence.
This is one explanation given in part by "Grammar Traps".
"Lie" is, in this context, a verb meaning to recline. It does not take an object. Its principal parts are "lie," "lay," "lain," and "lying."
Examples: Every night I lie down. I lay down last night. I have lain down many times. I am lying down right now.
So, it is supposed to be used in a pas tense manner; now as to why we use it incorrectly. If you do something long enough, (and this will include other countries as well) it will become an accepted expression; Ain't is a fine example, once thought to be improper ( and still is), it made it's way into the dictionary.
by viv53 12 years ago
I feel like I have something in my throat when I lay down and my mouth is very dry. It is...preventing me from sleep. I am taking medication for chronic laryngitis. What could this be?
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Why Should A Hen Lay Eggs Without A Rooster?
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