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Goronsky Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

‘lie’ vs ‘lay’

If something happened just a mere second ago, I think it would qualify as the past tense—thus, I believe, the following 'lie/lay' examples may be correct; do you agree? I concocted these examples to better understand the usage of 'lie' vs 'lay'.

—He lay there a second ago.
—He lies (or 'is lying') there right now.
NEVER: He lie there right now.
—He lay in the sun yesterday.
—I lie there now.
—I lay there yesterday.
—The task that lies ahead is formidable.
—The tasks that lie ahead are formidable.
—The task that is lying before us is formidable.
—The tasks that are lying before us are formidable.

Correct to all?

Thank you. Emotion: smile
  

Top answer

—He lay there a second ago. OK —He lies (or 'is lying') there right now. He is lying there right now.

— Tamguatlay

  • —He lay there a second ago.
  • OK —He lies (or 'is lying') there right now.
  • He is lying there right now.
  • NEVER: He lie there right now.
  • Yes, not correct.
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7 Answers
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—He lay there a second ago. OK
—He lies (or 'is lying') there right now. He is lying there right now.
NEVER: He lie there right now. Yes, not correct.
—He lay in the sun yesterday. OK
—I lie there now. Not correct.
—I lay there yesterday. OK
—The task that lies ahead is formidable. OK
—The tasks that lie ahead are formida
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Just curious—Why is 'I lie there now' incorrect?
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goronskyJust curious—Why is 'I lie there now' incorrect?
You are still lying there. That's why it should be "I am lying there now."
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goronskyWhy is 'I lie there now' incorrect?
It's OK in the unusual situation where you are writing somewhat poetically about a dead person who is talking about where he is buried now.

After I died they buried me in the hills to the north of town. I lie there now.

CJ
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