View Single Post
GOLDFRAPP
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
 
2011-04-23, 15:43

lie: be in or assume a horizontal or resting position on a supporting surface; rest flat on a surface

The verb lie (‘assume a horizontal or resting position’) is often confused with the verb lay (‘put something down’), giving rise to incorrect uses such as he is laying on the bed (correct use is he is lying on the bed) or why don't you lie the suitcase on the bed? (correct use is why don't you lay the suitcase on the bed?). The confusion is only heightened by the fact that lay is not only the base form of to lay, but is also the past tense of to lie, so while he is laying on the bed is incorrect, he lay on the bed yesterday is quite correct.
  quote