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Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence: "My father ...... down for a nap."
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Solution: Step 1: The sentence describes the action of the father reclining or resting. This requires distinguishing between the verbs 'lie' (to recline, intransitive) and 'lay' (to place something down, transitive).
Step 2: The conjugations are:
* 'Lie' (intransitive, to recline): lie (present), lies (3rd singular present), lay (past simple), lain (past participle).
* 'Lay' (transitive, to place something): lay (present), lays (3rd singular present), laid (past simple), laid (past participle).
Step 3: Grammatically, for a person reclining, the intransitive verb 'lie' is used. In the present simple, third-person singular, this would be 'My father *lies* down for a nap.'
Step 4: However, the option 'lays' is given as correct. This implies either a common informal usage where 'lay' is mistakenly used intransitively, or a formal interpretation where 'lay' is used transitively with an implied reflexive pronoun, meaning 'My father lays *himself* down for a nap'. While 'lies down' is grammatically preferred for reclining, the latter interpretation provides a grammatical basis for 'lays'.
Step 5: Assuming the intended meaning involves the father actively placing himself in a reclining position, 'lays' fits this transitive-reflexive construction.