| tedboone | A question for the Grammar Gurus of Lawrence |
    46,173 / 50,000 Municipal Liaison Joined: Oct 28, 2005
Location: Lawrence, KS Posts:
387
Posted on:
Nov 7, 2009 - 18 00 |
I'm usually pretty good at grammar, but this one has me scratching my head: She tried to push herself back up, failed, and instead laid on the ground gasping in the frigid air. or She tried to push herself back up, failed, and instead lay on the ground gasping in the frigid air. Word's grammar check is throwing a hissy fit, telling me to switch back and forth from one to the other, incessantly. No help there. So, whaddya think? Any suggestions? |
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63,075 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 18 03
I think you should ignore the manifestation (in code) of the inferior and non-creative writing/grammar person who worked for microsoft and write what you wrote the first time. Or whichever one you like better.
36,159 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 20 17
I think, from my foggy days of eighth grade grammar, that she would 'lay' herself on the ground. She would have 'laid' something else besides her body on the ground, such as a blanket or a dagger...or an egg.
Here, this should clear up the matter: http://www.planetoid.org/grammar_for_geeks/lie_vs_lay_vs_laid.html
63,075 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 20 34
funny! did you see the pep talk that just came out? (sat. night)
22,468 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 22 50
She tried to push herself back up, failed, and instead laid on the ground gasping in the frigid air.
or
She tried to push herself back up, failed, and instead lay on the ground gasping in the frigid air.
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I'm wondering about using a different word/idea all together. Since she tried to push up and failed, what if she 'fell' or 'flopped' on the ground? My image from your earlier words is that she was able to raise herself partway and then dropped back down.