Lay/lie due to/because

[fangtray]

could someone please explain these differences to me and an easy way to spot it on the GMAT? I'm having a tough time grasping these 2 concepts.

thanks,

ray

[vikram4689]

Lay/lie: ( i haven't seen any OG question testing this concept, is there any question ?

Lay means to place - needs a DIRECT OBJECT
verb forms: lay - laying - laid - laid
e.g. He laid the book on the bed

Lie means to recline (other meaning is "to falsify") - DOES NOT NEED DIRECT OBJECT
verb forms: lie - lying - lay - lain
e.g. I love lying in your arms

How i remember the difference: you lay something down, and people lie down by themselves

[vikram4689]

due to/because of

because of used to provide reason OR answers WHY questions
e.g. I was late because of traffic jam ( Why you were late ?)

due to used to show cause and effect, replace it with "caused by" and you will get the meaning easily OR answers WHAT questions
e.g. Traffic jam was due to a car accident that happened this morning ( WHAT was reason for traffic jam(