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 *****