FROM GINNIE
I applied to a content company and was provided a test to complete, but have not completely passed it. I have a feeling that I am not completely understanding the question, rather than not knowing what I'm doing. Can you guide me in the right direction? I've listed my attempts below. I received a note back that my second attempt wasn't right, but it's headed in the right direction.
Test:
Please write one sentence with "set" as the subject. For the verb use "lie" (not fibbing, but putting yourself or something down) in the past tense.
1st Answer:
The movie set had to be rearranged when the actress became sick and had to lie down.
2nd Attempt
The movie set had to be rearranged when the actress became sick and had to lay down.
Well, first, the test makers don't know the difference between "lie" (to recline or rest) and "lay" (to place something or to put something down). Second, you wrote a compound sentence with two subjects and six verbs. Third, I assume they wanted you to couple the past tense of "lie" with the subject "set", not "actress".
The past tense of "lay" is "laid"; the past tense of "lie" is "lay". "Lay" always uses a direct object, something the subject acts upon; "lie" never uses a direct object. So a correct sentence using the past tense of "lie" would be:
The chess set lay scattered to my right.
A correct sentence using the past tense of "lay" would be:
The set of ogres laid their clubs down.