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Lay Vs Lie

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smitha.gudapakkam
 Post subject: Lay Vs Lie
 Post Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 1:21 pm 
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Course Students


Posts: 2
Hi ,

I a little confused about when to use Lay vs Lie.

Problem Set on Page 259 of SC guide , refers to this in Question 3.

When he had swam across the lake , he lay down on the far shore and relaxed in the sunshine until he was thoroughly dry.

Shouldnt this be he lied down instead of lay down? Could someone explain when to use Lay vs lie?

Thanks
Smitha
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dmitryknowsbest
 Post subject: Re: Lay Vs Lie
 Post Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 3:25 am 
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ManhattanGMAT Staff


Posts: 65
The flaw here is unfortunately in the English language! :) These similar meanings are a frequent source of confusion.

"Lay" has two major verb meanings:

--The past tense of "lie" (as in "lie down," not "tell a lie"--we still say "He lied to me.")

--To set down or cause to lie down (Its past tense is "laid.")

These sentences are all correct:

He lay down to sleep.
He is going to lie down to sleep now.
Please lay the clean laundry on the couch.
He laid the money on the counter and walked away.

Not correct: Lay down and go to sleep.
I want to lay on the couch all day.

Both of those last two should be "lie."

_________________
Dmitry Farber
Manhattan GMAT Instructor
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