"Iain M Churches" wrote in message news:...

"Chris Morriss" wrote in message
...
In message , Iain M Churches
writes

A; He lays awake, wondering "Is there a Dog?"
Oh dear, oh dear. That's an example of 'perfect' English is it?

2/10 for another incorrect use of the word 'lays'.
--
Chris Morriss

Tough marking from you Chris:-)

My Oxford English Dictionary gives: Lay. alt vb Lie, so
maybe this is not incorrect after all. But in any case,
let's not blame the Swede. Let's say it was my typo:-)
I have lived in Scandinavia for 25 years, so English
is not my first language any more
either. Also, I am sure Arny won't mind:-)

But let's not get too superior. I see from an
article in The European that there are more than
7 million young people and adults in the UK
whose literary skills in the English language
are at or below primary school level,
and an additional 3 million need assistance in
completing a form or questionnaire.

In contrast, most Scandinavians are fluent in two
languages, with English as a strong third.

How many of us, I wonder,
could tell the same joke in Swedish?

Cordially,
Iain