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

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

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

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

Q: 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. "I'm going to lie on the couch" is the grammatically correct form, even though "lay" is common in conversation. The giveaway is that nothing is being placed onto anything — the subject (you) is reclining. If you were placing the dog on the couch, you'd lay the dog down.

i · AnswerOne line, no lecture

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

ii · A little moreWhy this is the one to keep

"I'm going to lie on the couch" is the grammatically correct form, even though "lay" is common in conversation. The giveaway is that nothing is being placed onto anything — the subject (you) is reclining. If you were placing the dog on the couch, you'd lay the dog down.

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