Lay, Lie, Laid, Lain

This is one that I know ever so slightly, but I'm not perfect, so I sent out a plea on Twitter just now asking for help, and the inimitable @d0tpark3r came through for me, as usual, recommending this site: Grammar Girl : Lay Versus Lie :: Quick and Dirty Tips. I'm so happy (in a way) to see the author say that it's a complicated subject, because that makes me feel not so stupid. ;)


Here's what she says about present tense:

It's pretty easy; you lay something down, and people lie down by themselves.

It gets tricky in past tense, though, and that's where I have the most trouble. I'm not going to repeat the details here. She has a chart on the website, as well as examples written out. Go take a look. I'll be referencing it often.

loath, loathe, lathe

From @FakeAPStylebook: loath, loathe, lathe - She is loath to stay with him. He loathes her. She used the lathe to cut up his corpse.

Sweet Dulcinea's Soccer Boys Pictures

I'm putting this link here so I don't have to keep bugging her to remind me of where to find this deliciousness. Now I can just come here when I need a little distraction.