By Carol Lynn Thomas Imagine yourself as a contestant on the new TV show, "Say it Right!" A million dollars will be yours if you can select the correct answers.

Maybe if I (lay, lie) down for a while my headache will go away. Yesterday I (laid, lay) too long on the beach and now have such a terrible sunburn. I know I (lay, laid) that book on the table this morning, but now I can't find it.

Are you picturing yourself on the way to the bank, or are you tearing your hair out? Let me help you feel confident about the puzzle of lie and lay. It's really not that hard if you take it one step at a time and practice a bit. Remember how confusing it was when you were learning your way around a computer? Believe it or not, if you face this challenge the same way, you will learn how to use these words with confidence. Let's first look at the two usages that we never confuse. When we use the word "lie" to say something that's untrue with the intent to deceive, we don't make any mistakes. The little boy lied to his mother about snatching the cookie.

Do you really think he was lying under oath? She always lies about her age.

When we use the word "lay" to convey a sexual meaning, I doubt if there is anyone confused. I'll let it go at that. Now, let's get to the words that trip up so many people. Here is a close look at "lie," meaning, "to rest or recline in a horizontal position."

The principal parts: Lie Lay Lying Lain

I've omitted their grammatical labels to avoid overloading you. Let's just examine how to use the words correctly.

The kitten lies in a patch of sunlight. He likes to lie on the sofa with a good book. I lay back in the water and floated. We lay on the beach gazing at the stars. The baby is lying on the carpet. The puppy was lying in the shade. I have lain awake every night worrying about him. Why have you lain there in bed so long? Get up!

Yes, "lain" is a word. I'm not making this up. We're moving on to "lay" now. You might be saying, "Hey, I just saw that word. What is she talking about?" Stay with me. It's a little tricky. "Lay" means "to place something or put it on a flat surface."

The principal parts: Lay Laid Laying Laid (Yes, you're seeing the word again.) She lays her books on her desk as soon as she comes to class. If you lay the packages on the table, I'll be grateful. She laid the linens on the counter. I laid the heavy box down for a moment so I could rest. He's laying the tiles on the floor right now. Is he laying the carpet today? He has laid the firewood where he usually does. The dinosaurs have laid their eggs.

Let's focus on the trouble spots. Can you explain the choices?

Last night I lay (not laid) on the sofa to listen to music. Every morning she lies (not lays) in bed reading. The dog is lying (not laying) by his dish. He laid (not lay) his jacket on the chair. I've lain (not laid) too long in one position.

Earlier I avoided grammatical terms, but here's something that may help you remember how to use the verbs in all their glorious forms. Do you remember the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs? Transitive verbs are followed by direct objects. Take a look:

The hen laid the egg. (What did she lay? The egg. That's the direct object.) The workers are laying the carpet. (What are they laying? The carpet. That's the direct object.)

Get it? The forms of "lay" (to place or put) are transitive verbs. They are followed by direct objects. The forms of "lie" (to rest or recline) are intransitive verbs. They are not followed by direct objects. If this helps you remember how to use the verbs, that's wonderful. If I had a magic wand to wave over you to help you with the confusion, I would certainly do it. But I don't. So it's up to you to learn the verbs and practice. You never know when you will be chosen as a contestant on "Say it Right!" ---------- Carol Lynn Thomas is a columnist for Beginnings Magazine, A Magazine for the Novice writer, (http://www.scbeginnings.com/) Beginnings is published three times a year and is printed exclusively for the new writer. Only never before published or minimally published writers can submit to Beginnings. Questions can be emailed to Jenine Killoran, Editor, Founder and Publisher of Beginnings Publishing, Inc., at: jenineb@optonline.net Carol Lynn Thomas background: BA in English; MA in Education English and reading teacher for 32 years Columnist and fiction judge for Beginnings Magazine Author of Out of Time, scheduled for release on audio on Nov. 6, 2006 from Blackstone AudioBooks Consultant/Writer/Editor of Networds, a publication of the Middle Grades Reading Network, University of Evansville, Evansville, IN