Lay, laid

Question

I've read and read but I still don't get it.  here's my sentence: "They laid there for several seconds." Right or wrong?? what should it be?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

AnonymousThey laid there for several seconds.

Wrong. They lay there for several seconds.

They lie there every day. They lay there yesterday. They have always lain there.
They lay their books there every day. They laid their book there yesterday. They have always laid their books there.

It's two different verbs. One when there's no direct object, the other when there is a direct object. By coincidence "lay" is seen twice. Once as a past, when there's no direct object, and once as a present, when there is a direct object.

Not easy, but that's how it is.

CJ

Lay, laid

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