Lie/Lay [Grammar Gestapo]

[woodwardiocom]

-I've been seeing this mistake everywhere lately, including the most recent issue of Planetary. I will be silent no more:

"To lie" is what you do to yourself. "Apes? I think I need to lie down."

"To lay" is what you do to something else. "Lay down your weapon, human!"

Confusing bit: The past tense of "lie" is "lay". "I lay down for a nap this morning, and when I woke up, the planet was ruled by apes!"

Here's a webpage.
Here's a quiz.

(If you think this is directed at you, trust me, it ain't just you. Freakin' everywhere, man.)

Comments

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

My pet peeve, and this is one which I inherited from my grandad, is "I could care less."

Think about it: you are trying to suggest you really do not care at ALL for the the situation or thing. But you could care less?

I couldn't care less!!!!

[dbang.livejournal.com]

I often say "I could care less...but it wouldn't be worth the effort so I won't".