So, I thought I'd have a little fun tonight (yes, this is fun for me) and write a post about grammar.
Actually, this is a little shout-out to Ellyn. Cause good grammar is free, right El?;)
The rest of you are thrilled, right? Please tell me you're thrilled.
Lie vs. Lay
Based on what people are Googling, it appears that writers are having the most trouble differentiating between "lie" and "lay". When I was in grade school, Mammy (my paternal grandmother) would correct me by saying, "Chickens lay, chickens lay!" But it is slightly more complicated than that.
To summarize: Lie means "to recline". Its principal parts are lie (base form), lay (past tense), lain (past participle), and lying (present participle). Lay means "to put or place". Its principal parts are lay (base form), laid (past tense), laid (past participle), and laying (present participle). One cannot "lie" down anything but himself. And if he makes himself the object of a sentence, he cannot even do that.
Correct: Now I lay me down to sleep.
Correct: I lay the books on the table.
Correct: I am lying [reclining] in bed watching the snow fall. It's as if God were laying [placing] a blanket over the world, and I cherish each snowflake where it lies [reclines].
Correct: Yesterday, I lay (past tense of lie) around all day doing nothing.
Correct: I was lying in bed when the phone rang.
Correct: The chicken was lying in the grass laying eggs. I left the eggs where they were lying, and she lay on them to keep them warm. She has lain on them for hours, so I laid her food beside her.
Who vs. Whom
I recently read an article that suggested that "whom" is no longer a necessary part of the English language. Frankly, I think that's sad. I am all for personal style in writing. We all know that I am a fan of short paragraphs, long sentences, and starting my sentences with certain conjunctions. But, isn't it better to at least know the rules?
The rule for "who vs. whom" is actually pretty straightforward. You use who when you are referring to the subject of a clause and whom when you are referring to the object of a clause. The sentence can be arranged to replace who with he and whom with him.
Whom are you taking to the dance? You (subject) are taking him (object).
Do you know who called?
I wondered who wanted lunch.
You're thinking about whom?
That's enough grammar for one night. Do you want to put my geekdom to the test? Ask away! If I don't know the answer, I'll just consult my good friend, Google. ;)
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