letters: Lay down the law

From Mr Michael Russell

Sir: Maureen Blakesley (letter, 1 August) is to be praised for her support of standard English. Unfortunately, the example she complains about is in fact correct: Waitrose is right to say "lay all bottles down", as "lay" is what people do to objects.

If she prefers "lie down", I must point out that this is for people and animals, who can place themselves on the ground.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Russell

The Queen's English Society

Thames Ditton, Surrey

2 August