0
UserTK Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

He 'was lying' or 'lay' there a moment ago

Which is correct?

(1) He was lying there a moment ago.
(2) He lay there a moment ago.

Thanks for your time.

UTK
  

Top answer

(1) seems a more likely thing to say.

— GPY

  • (1) seems a more likely thing to say.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

5 Answers
0
(1) seems a more likely thing to say.
0
0
I'm thinking that:

Either could be correct, but they say different things.

(1) A moment ago, he was in a static state of repose (or he was telling a falsehood.)
(2) A moment ago, he was performing the act of moving himself into a lying position.

So (2) has more to do with the act of reposing.

No?
0
0
(1) should strictly refer to 'fibbing'.
0
0
(1) would mean that someone was lying down.
0
0
UserTK(1) should strictly refer to 'fibbing'.
The most obvious meaning, given the way you set out the question, is that "lying" refers to the position of the body. "Fibbing" is also a possible interpretation though.
0

Related Questions