Comments on: English: Precision Matters http://dmiessler.com/blog/english-precision-matters in search of intervals Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:49:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7-RC1 hourly 1 By: Tim http://dmiessler.com/blog/english-precision-matters/comment-page-1#comment-20050 Tim Sun, 31 Dec 2006 17:32:12 +0000 http://dmiessler.com/archives/1045#comment-20050 <p>I often get annoyed at people that mix up lay (transitive verb, as in setting something down) and lie (intransitive verb, as in to lie down). The only really tricky part is that the past tense of "lie" is "lay" (I lay in bed yesterday).</p> <p>Charlie's been hurt. Lay him on the bed. Lie down, Charlie. Charlie now lies on the bed where I lay sleeping last night.</p> I often get annoyed at people that mix up lay (transitive verb, as in setting something down) and lie (intransitive verb, as in to lie down). The only really tricky part is that the past tense of “lie” is “lay” (I lay in bed yesterday).

Charlie’s been hurt. Lay him on the bed. Lie down, Charlie. Charlie now lies on the bed where I lay sleeping last night.

]]> By: Zhasper http://dmiessler.com/blog/english-precision-matters/comment-page-1#comment-17169 Zhasper Tue, 26 Dec 2006 00:15:54 +0000 http://dmiessler.com/archives/1045#comment-17169 <p>I'd have added your/you're(/yaw/yore) as well. Also, the fact that 've is short for have, not of (eh, should've = should have, not should of).</p> <p>But yes, the two you highlighted are the two most annoying.</p> <p>Well, those, and butcher's apostrophe's.</p> I’d have added your/you’re(/yaw/yore) as well. Also, the fact that ‘ve is short for have, not of (eh, should’ve = should have, not should of).

But yes, the two you highlighted are the two most annoying.

Well, those, and butcher’s apostrophe’s.

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