Should I "lay" or "lie" on the couch?

You lie on the couch. Lay needs a direct object — and the couch isn't what you're placing.

What's the past tense of "lie down"?

The past tense of lie (recline) is lay — which is exactly what makes this pair confusing.

Quick answer Canonicalizes to Lay vs. Lie

Is it "lay down" or "lie down"?

Q: Is it "lay down" or "lie down"?

You lie down yourself. You lay an object down. Different verbs, different jobs. Lay takes an object — you lay a book on the table, a baby in a crib. Lie does not — you just lie down. If the action has a "what" attached to it ("lay what down?"), use lay; if it does not, use lie.

i · AnswerOne line, no lecture

You lie down yourself. You lay an object down. Different verbs, different jobs.

ii · A little moreWhy this is the one to keep

Lay takes an object — you lay a book on the table, a baby in a crib. Lie does not — you just lie down. If the action has a "what" attached to it ("lay what down?"), use lay; if it does not, use lie.

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