Pay attention to good grammar

I know I am spitting in the wind to try to teach my students (and my family) the correct usage of the words “to lie” and “to lay.” I am ridiculed openly at family gatherings when I correct someone. I can live with that, although I am not happy about it.

However, to see The Bee, on the front page above the fold, misuse in the headline “Lay Down” is disheartening. “Lay” is a transitive verb and must be followed by an object (unless the writer is using past-tense of “lie,” which isn’t appropriate in this case). Where are the editors these days, or don’t grammar and usage matter any longer?

This story was originally published July 26, 2017 at 3:32 PM with the headline "Pay attention to good grammar."