Did I use laid correctly?

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BJoeR

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I lost fifteen pounds and felt miserable. I laid in bed for days.

Thanks.:-D
 

bhaisahab

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I lost fifteen pounds and felt miserable. I laid in bed for days.

Thanks.:-D
No, "I lay in bed for days". The verb "to lie": today I lie in bed, yesterday I lay in bed. The verb "to lay": today I lay a carpet, yesterday I laid a carpet.
 

TheParser

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I lost fifteen pounds and felt miserable. I laid in bed for days.

Thanks.:-D

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


BJoeR,


(1) Do not feel bad. I think that most Americans could not pass a

test on these three verbs:

to lie (not tell the truth)

To lay (to put something)

To lie (on your back)

(2) You used the past of "to lay." For example: I laid the newspaper

on the table.

(3) You actually wanted the past of "to lie" on your back:

I lay in bed for several days.

(a) Yes, it does sound "funny," doesn't it!!! Maybe (maybe!!!)

we English speakers are so used to the past ending in -ed that

we just refuse to accept the sound of some exceptions.

(i) Even on TV, a few news readers might say:

The police found a may laying in the street.

Of course, the poor man was lying in the street.

(4) It's really not that difficult -- if you really want to

understand the difference. Just sit down and memorize:

To lie (not tell the truth) I lie/ I lied/ I have lied/ I am lying now.

To lay (something) I lay a book on the table every day/ I laid it

yesterday/ I have laid it every day this week/ I am laying it now.

To lie (on your back) I lie on the beach every Saturday/ I lay on the

beach yesterday/ I have lain in the sun for 30 minutes (not too long:

skin cancer, you know)/ I have been lying on the beach for 29 minutes.

In one more minute, I am going to leave.


***** NOT A TEACHER *****
 
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