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

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

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.

Quick answer Canonicalizes to Lay vs. Lie

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

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

The past tense of lie (recline) is lay — which is exactly what makes this pair confusing. "Yesterday I lay down for a nap." Past tense of lie is lay; past tense of lay (to place) is laid. The overlap is the whole reason these verbs trip writers up. When in doubt, rewrite the sentence to avoid the past tense altogether.

i · AnswerOne line, no lecture

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

ii · A little moreWhy this is the one to keep

"Yesterday I lay down for a nap." Past tense of lie is lay; past tense of lay (to place) is laid. The overlap is the whole reason these verbs trip writers up. When in doubt, rewrite the sentence to avoid the past tense altogether.

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