Usage and Grammar

Q. Lie vs. lay —I’m just not getting it. I’ve read the Q&A submission about this and the recommended article. And I’m still not sure. Every time lie is used in an example it is always preceded by a person. I want to know if lie can also be used with objects, such as “The adhesive and plates lie flat under the roof shingles.”

A. Of course it can be used with objects. A hat lies on a bed, sits on your head, looks ridiculous, gets lost—we don’t alter those verb forms when a person lies on a bed, sits on your head, looks ridiculous, or gets lost. Your sentence is exactly right.