Past tense of lay laid or layed1/14/2024 To spread something to its fullest extent (especially so it’s noticeable).(informal) To spend a large sum of money.To explain something clearly and carefully.To arrange material for print and publication.To plan something by showing its parts fit together.To construct, design, or arrange according to plan.As noted by the Cambridge Dictionary and Lexico, to “ lay out something” or “ lay something out” means: “ Laid out” is the past tense form of the phrasal verb “ lay out” (using the irregular verb lay and the adverb out). In this case, you can “ lay someone out” for burial or sleep (the “someone” is the direct object), but if the “someone” is asleep or drunk, the phrase is still informal. The one exception involves arranging dead or unconscious bodies (hear us out on that one). “ Laid” is a popular variant spelling of the past tense of “ lay,” but it’s never the “standard” verb to use for describing rest or sleeping arrangements (especially without a direct object). …Remember that even though many people do use lay for lie, others will judge you unfavorably if you do. “Much of the problem lies in the confusing similarity of the principal parts of the two words. But make no mistake: using these verbs correctly is a mark of refinement ” (Garner 553).Įven Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary throws a few punches into the mix: Others claim that it’s no longer a mistake–– or even that it never was. “… Some commentators believe that people make this mistake more often than any other in the English language. If grammar is particularly important (such as within formal speech or writing), it’s best to learn the difference now. Using the verb lay in place of lie is extremely common in everyday English (but technically “nonstandard”).
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