Okay, so there are several words to which I have a chronic difficultly applying the correct tense or conjugation. One afternoon I, who apparently had nothing better to do, asked a friend, who happens to be an English major, to review the correct usage of the following words: lie, lay, lain, laid, who and whom (Thank you Ashley – and if you or the Trussian whore, you know who you are, can correct that last sentence or any other glaring mistakes I have made it would be much appreciated). I will post it here to enrich the lives of others and to make it easier for me to reference later.
Word: Who
Part of Speech: Subject
Example of proper usage: Who is the woman in the red dress?
Word: Whom
Part of Speech: Object
Example of proper usage: With whom am I speaking?
*When trying to determine which to use try substituting he/she or him/her. If he/she is correct then use who (She is in the red dress.), use whom with him/her (You are speaking to her.)
So that is the easy one. The others are a little more complicated
Word: Lie
Verb Tense: Simple present
Example of proper usage: I am going to lie down.
Word: Lay
Verb Tense: Simple past
Example of proper usage: I went to lay down.
Word: Lain
Verb Tense: Past participle
Example of proper usage: I have lain on the bed.
Word: Laying
Verb Tense: Present participle
Example of proper usage: I am laying on the bed.
Word: Lay
Verb Tense: Simple present
Example of proper usage: I will lay the book on the table.
Word: Laid
Verb Tense: Simple past
Example of proper usage: I laid the book on the table.
Word: Laid
Verb Tense: Past participle
Example of proper usage: I have laid books there before.
Word: Laying
Verb Tense: Present participle
Example of proper usage: I am laying the book on the table now.
Well, I hope that clears things up for everyone. I know that it is clear as mud for me. I am sure that I will continue to use all of these words incorrectly at least half the time but you have got to give me credit for trying
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