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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Slain/slayed

Which is correct here, slayed or slain?

David has slayed/slain Goliath.

We've been slain/slayed with laughter.
  

Top answer

None, really-- the accepted past participle is still 'slain'. As a simple past form, both 'slew' and 'slayed' are used, with 'slayed' more common in your second context (though the passive is not).

— Mister Micawber

  • None, really-- the accepted past participle is still 'slain'.
  • As a simple past form, both 'slew' and 'slayed' are used, with 'slayed' more common in your second context (though the passive is not).
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7 Answers
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None, really-- the accepted past participle is still 'slain'. As a simple past form, both 'slew' and 'slayed' are used, with 'slayed' more common in your second context (though the passive is not).
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MrM, what does "none really" refer to, there?
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I think Mr M has dozed off after a hard day's work.Emotion: smileDavid has slain Goliath is grammatically fine!

CB
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Hi CB

Without any broader context to justify a possible use of the present perfect, I would also tend to feel distinctly uncomfortable using that tense to refer to David's slaying of Goliath.
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It's just the 'slain with laughter' meaning that seems odd to me, CB. The bloodier passive seems Biblical enough. I don't know why, though-- just a gut reaction.
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<Without any broader context to justify a possible use of the present perfect, I would also tend to feel distinctly uncomfortable using that tense to refer to David's slaying of Goliath.>

Just imagine the opening of a screenplay, Amy.

The year is Y years B.C. David has just slain/slayed Goliath.
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That would be a context, wouldn't it?
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