Lay/Lie

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Writing Tip 149: “Lay” vs. “Lie” (Past Tense Edition)

"lay" vs. "lie" past tense
Does this “lay” vs. “lie” confusion make me want to lie down? Some days.

Perhaps my favorite past writing tip is the one that answers the question “Why Bob Dylan & Snow Patrol Aren’t Grammarians; Why Sophie B. Hawkins & Bon Jovi Are,” and today, we’re going to take that “lay” vs. “lie” conversation a step further. Are you ready for this?

Of course, you recall that one lies down (the subject taking the action) or one could lay down a rug (the direct object having something done to it). Now, what happens if this laying and lying happened yesterday?

Suddenly, Bob Dylan’s “Lay, Lady, Lay” is perfectly grammatical! Nonsensical, perhaps, but indeed grammatical. If Bob Dylan somehow is telling this lady to time travel and attempt the actions of yesterday all over again, this “lay” might work. Confusing? Sure. Am I trying too hard? Maybe. Let me elaborate.More

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Writing Tip 3: Why Bob Dylan & Snow Patrol Aren’t Grammarians; Why Sophie B. Hawkins & Bon Jovi Are

lay-lie guitarDo you know the difference between “lay” and “lie”?

“Lay” always needs an object. In other words, what is being set down is not the subject of the sentence. I lie down (correct – the subject is reclining); I lay the book/the baby/the remote down (correct – the object is being set down).

Ergo:
Bob Dylan’s “Lay, Lady, Lay…” (no object) should be “Lie, Lady, Lie/ lie across my big brass bed…”
Snow Patrol’s chorus “If I just lay here/if I just lay here…” (no object) should be “If I just lie here.”

Sophie B. Hawkins’s “As I Lay Me Down to Sleep” (object: me) is correct.
Bon Jovi’s “Lay Your Hands On Me” (object: your hands) is correct.