Film and Digital Media @ Messiah

Recently, there was a brief spate of activity on the Community of Educators Network (COENET) about the correct usage of the words “lay” and “lie”. I thought it a bit humourous so I’m posting a portion of it here!

Pondering lay and lie in the loo …
which to champion and which to eschew!
If to lie is intransitive,
and to lay abirritative …
Don’t weigh wearisome words in the loo!

Ogden Dash

>>> Kristopher Yoder 09/24/07 4:02 PM >>> : The following message is part of the COENET discussion list. : —————————————-
This is why I’m glad I teach ACTING! –Kristopher Yoder—

Kristopher Yoder Guest Lecturer, Dept. of Theatre Messiah College Office C-60, Ext. #2174 >>>

Ellie Addleman 09/24/07 2:55 PM >>> : —————————————-
I’m just so happy that other people care about this. One seldom hears the words used correctly. Just an example, I suppose, of how the world is going to the dogs as I get older. I thought I was just going to have to let those sleeping dogs “lay.” No time to write more. I have to go “lay out” on this beautiful sunny day! Viva correct word usage!

Ellie Addleman, Counselor and Educational Outreach Coordinator Engle Center for Counseling and Health Services; Box 3028 Messiah College; One College Ave.; Grantham, PA 17027 eaddlema@messiah.edu TEL 717/796-5357 FAX 717/796-5372 >>>

Crystal Downing 9/24/2007 1:20 PM >>> : —————————————-
In the present tense, lie is an intransitive verb while lay is transitive. In other words, lay must have a word after it - an object that is being laid - whereas lie (as in lie down) refers to the process of reclining. EG: I lie on the bed I lay the baby on the bed. What makes it complicated - and causes so much confusion - is that the past-tense of lie is lay: Yesterday I lay on the bed. Hope that helps (and that I remember correctly!!!) cd >>>

Amy Binkoski 09/24/07 12:10 PM >>> : —————————————-
I am teaching the writing course for the Nutrition major and in class today we were discussing when to use “lay” vs. when to use “lie” in a sentence. I thought I had this difference figured out but some of the students questions made me question myself and so I thought I would check in with the experts…. Thanks Amy

Amy Binkoski, PhD, RD Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics Department of Nutrition and Dietetics P.O. Box 3030 One College Avenue Messiah College Grantham, PA 17027 (717) 796-1800 ext. 3938 (717) 691-6046 (Fax) abinkosk@messiah.edu