confused at using this word. my editor changed it to "lay" when I had "laid" example: George laid down to get some sleep. She put lay instead of laid. Is that correct? This is the only main thing thats confusing for me when i write.
I believe your editor is correct. Someone getting some sleep "lies" down, and the past tense of that is "lay." At least, that's my understanding.
yeah i was going to look for another verb for my next book im working on now i was researching this after i made the post, and you seem to be correct. im just going to try to use other words instead of lay also
Just use the dictionary. The past of the verb lie, meaning to rest in a horizontal position, is lay. The similar verb lay is used with an objecty, and means to place that object down. The past tense of lay is laid. It really isn't that difficult. Real writers learn correct usage. They don't run away from words, they master them.
Taken from: http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/agcomm/ontarget/grammartrap/lay_lie.htm If you're in doubt about whether to use "lay" or "lie," try substituting a form of the verb "place." If it makes sense, use a form of "lay."
listen to cog in all things... he's next to never wrong about any of 'em [and when he is, i usually call him on it ;-) ]
As the dictionary will tell you, lain is the past participle of lie, as lie is used in this thread. Looking in the dictionary is much faster than posting here and waiting for a response. More reliable, too.
There are also some really good threads that have been posted before on this topic if yuo do a quick search just type in "lay and lie" and they will come up. I read them and they fixed my confusion.