lie/lay

Okay, I can't put this one off any longer. You knew it was coming. I'm not going to rationalize or theorize the logic behind it. I'm just going to give you the explanation and hope you can figure it out. Does that seem fair? It better be.

The verb "lie" means "to be at rest." So, if you're not feeling well, you're going to lie down but not lay down. The verb has three principal parts -- lie (present tense), lay (past tense), and lain (past participial form). Don't freak out on me. All that means is it's the form you use with a helping verb. So it's lie, lay, have/has/had lain. "I have lain in bed for a week." Got it?

It's confusing because the past tense of "lie" is the present tense form "lay." This verb means "to set something down." Its forms are lay, laid, have/has/had laid. "I laid my books on the kitchen table."

See. That wasn't so bad, was it? Just tell yourself over and over again, "I can do this. I can do this. I can do this."

Now, go lie down and compose yourself until tomorrow's postings.