Applications folder confusion

I accidentally deleted my 'applications' folder on my dock, I dragged it back from 'finder' but when I click, it says it's empty. Although when I click on 'applications' in the sidebar, all my apps are there.

I copied all my apps from my sidebar 'applications' into my 'applications' folder but it used up 12GB of my memory duplicating everything. I have no idea how to link the folders up again or at least be able to click on any 'applications' folder or link and see all my apps.

Can anyone shed some light on what happened and how I can fix this problem?

Where did you drag it from? You could have an Applications folder in your home directory. Make sure to drag the Applications folder from the root directory of your HD (called Macintosh HD unless you changed it).

I didn't realise that I had to grab it from the Mac HD. Worked like a treat, thanks!