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 60-second read Canonicalises 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.

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

A little morei

"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.

The full entryii

Usage

Lay vs. Lie

You lay something down. You lie down yourself.

Read the 60-second explainer →

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

A little morei

The full entryii

More quick answersiii