But I will say that Let sleeping dogs lie is accurate, with lie not being followed by a direct object.

Lay it there on the floor and back away slowly …īecause I seriously suck at grammar, I’m not going to go into the various forms of lay and lie for different tenses. I don’t need no stinkin’ treat! I’ve got BALLS! Okay, so I still need a treat. If I just lie (recline) here on the floor, maybe mama will think I’m being a good dog and give me a treat. Stay off the table and stop taking treats without permission. Treat? Floor? What treat? What floor? There was no treat lying on the floor. I’m just going to lay(place) this treat right here for later. I have to find an easier way to remember this.Īccording to the Department of Agricultural Communication (Yes! There is such a thing! Who knew?!?), it’s as simple as placing versus reclining. Oh my dog – this is making my brain hurt. The object comes before lie, not following. I’mma lie down now if you’re not going to share. I’m going to lie down now, since mama won’t give me any of her sandwich. Let sleeping dogs lie is just common sense for her, as is Lay the treat on the floor and nobody gets hurt. Lay the treat on the floor and nobody gets hurt, see? Roxy doesn’t know the difference between lay and lie. Let’s find out!Īccording to Grammar Girl, it depends on whether or not there’s a direct object following the word. What is the rule for lay versus lie? We know that telling an untruth is a lie, but what about when we put our heads on our pillows? Or the dog does the same? Or a tool is left on the ground? HOW CAN WE KNOW? Is Max laying or lying? I’d be lying if I said I knew. I let this sleeping dog lie, since he’s grouchy when I wake him. So I think of the proverb, “Let sleeping dogs lie”, and it doesn’t help any. I always struggle with lay and lie in a sentence.

What does let sleeping dogs lie mean