[Grammar] Put or lay?

[tbentsen77]

Hello!

Which is the more correct alternative?

To put the keys on the table or to lay the keys on the table.

Kind regards
Thomas

 

[Allen165]

Hello!

Which is the more correct alternative?

To put the keys on the table or to lay the keys on the table.

Kind regards
Thomas

NOT A TEACHER.

"To put" is certainly more common, but I think "to lay" is also correct.

 

[e2e4]

/A learner/

I have another question related to word order.
I came across this sentence

She laid aside her book and went to answer the phone.
Could it be better to say
She laid her book aside and went to answer the phone.

Thanks

 

[corum]

She laid aside her book and went to answer the phone.
Could it be better to say
She laid her book aside and went to answer the phone.

Thanks

"lay aside" is a free combination of verb plus adverb particle (not an idiomatic phrasal verb). Either way it is fine. VP adverbs can go between the verb and the object and go after the object.

 

[BobK]

Hello!

Which is the more correct alternative?

To put the keys on the table or to lay the keys on the table.

Kind regards
Thomas

NOT A TEACHER.

"To put" is certainly more common, but I think "to lay" is also correct.

:up: If you just put them on the table, you put them. But 'lay' is possible when you do it with care and/or forethought: 'He laid the keys carefully on the table,to be absolutely sure that she would not miss them this time.'

b