Hi lagasch,
The correct verb would be "lies." This is the singular present tense
of "lie," used in the sense referring to location, as in "The island
lies off the coast."
"lie" is the right verb, but the wrong number. "Complexity" is
singular, so it takes the singular verb form "lies." If the subject
were "complexities," then "lie" would be correct. One complexity lies
somewhere in this sentence, while many complexities lie elsewhere.
"lays" is a form of the wrong verb, "lay." If the complexity were
laying, it would be placing something somewhere, but the sentence is
about where the complexity itself is located. "lie" is the right verb
for that.
"lay" could be either of two words, the past tense of "lie" or the
present tense of "lay."
As the past tense of "lie," "lay" would be the right verb, but the
wrong tense. The right verb is "lie," referring to location. With
"lies," we say the complexity is located in the interactions. With
"lay," we would be saying the complexity WAS located in the
interactions. This would be inconsistent with the preceding sentence,
which says understanding IS a demanding task in the present tense.
As the present tense of "lay," "lay" is the wrong verb and also the
wrong number. One hen lays, many hens lay.
You can find definitions of "lie" and "lay" through the dictionary
metasearch site OneLook.
http://www.onelook.com/?w=lie&ls=a
http://www.onelook.com/?w=lay&ls=a
If you have any question about this answer, please ask for a
clarification and I can ramble on at greater length.
--efn |
