Grammar Puzzles Solved (13): What is your opinion on native speakers of English who say things like, it would of been ok, instead of, it would have been ok, and I was laying on the beach, instead of, I was lying on the beach? by ndxx5 · Published April 4, 2025 · Updated May 25, 2025 These kinds of mistakes are quite common among native speakers, particularly in informal speech and writing. They usually happen because of phonetic similarity and a lack of conscious attention to grammatical structures. “Would of” instead of “would have” This mistake occurs because would have is often contracted to would’ve in speech, which sounds very similar to would of. Many people write it the way they hear it, even though would of is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is always would have, as have functions as an auxiliary verb in perfect constructions. “Laying” instead of “lying” This mistake happens because lay and lie are frequently confused. Lie (intransitive) means “to recline,” while lay (transitive) means “to put something down.” Since lay is also the past tense of lie, many speakers mistakenly say I was laying on the beach instead of I was lying on the beach. Correct usage: I was lying on the beach. ✅ (Past continuous of lie) I was laying my towel on the beach. ✅ (Past continuous of lay, which needs an object) My Opinion These errors are natural in spoken English and casual writing, but they should be avoided in formal writing or professional communication. Even highly educated native speakers make these mistakes in speech, often without realizing it. However, in contexts where precision matters, using the correct forms enhances credibility and clarity.
0 Grammar Puzzles Solved (10): What is correct, dishonest with or dishonest to? April 3, 2025 by ndxx5 · Published April 3, 2025 · Last modified May 25, 2025
0 Grammar Puzzles Solved (19): Which is correct: “Each of the students have finished” or “Each of the students has finished”? Why? April 6, 2025 by ndxx5 · Published April 6, 2025 · Last modified May 25, 2025
0 Grammar Puzzles Solved (26): Which sentence is correct? A) The book, along with the notebooks, are on the table. B) The book, along with the notebooks, is on the table. April 12, 2025 by ndxx5 · Published April 12, 2025 · Last modified May 28, 2025
