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Guest Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Lie/lay

I need resolution regarding a grammar question in order to settle a dispute. I have asked a couple of elementary school teachers for assistance to no avail. Please help!!!!!

How should the following statement be worded?


I am just delineating where my preferences (LIE or LAY).
  

Top answer

'where my preferences lie' would be the correct way to say it. 'Lay' is a transitive verb so it has to have an object while 'lie' is not, it is intransitive and it has no object. You can, for example, lay a baby down on the bed (transitive) but we say 'She is lying on the beach' (intransitive).

— Orpheus

  • 'where my preferences lie' would be the correct way to say it.
  • 'Lay' is a transitive verb so it has to have an object while 'lie' is not, it is intransitive and it has no object.
  • You can, for example, lay a baby down on the bed (transitive) but we say 'She is lying on the beach' (intransitive).
  • Hope this helps.
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2 Answers
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'where my preferences lie' would be the correct way to say it. 'Lay' is a transitive verb so it has to have an object while 'lie' is not, it is intransitive and it has no object. You can, for example, lay a baby down on the bed (transitive) but we say 'She is lying on the beach' (intransitive).

Hope this helps.
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Thank you. I thought that was the case but was not sure.
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