General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I Beg You: Never, ever use "Begs the Question" [View all]luvtheGWN
(1,336 posts)It drives me buggy too, but what REALLY, REALLY irks me is to hear far too many people mis-use the verbs "to lie" and "to lay". When someone says "I'm going to lay down now" I want to ask "What exactly is it you're planning to lay down?" The word takes an object -- always. Why are folks so afraid to use the word "lie". Is it because they only think of that word's other meaning -- to state a falsehood?
I'm starting to think the mis-use of "lay" can be attributed to that children's night-time prayer "Now I lay me down to sleep..." which just doesn't have the same rhythm as the grammatically correct "Now I'm going to lie down to sleep". And there's another poem by an American poet (can't remember it but someone here will be able to) that is similarly incorrect but sounds nice...
I can honestly say that I never heard lay mis-used up here in the GWN until a few years ago. I think it started with American television (sitcoms and dramas), then wormed its way into newscasts and then into Canadian media. Now its endemic amongst the population. English teachers are working overtime and taking medication to keep their rage at bay! Gaaaagh!
And about apostrophes: When in doubt, leave it out!