Lie vs. lay
Choosing wordsRule 6 of 7
The rule
"Lie" means to rest yourself, and takes no object: "I lie down". "Lay" means to put something down and needs an object: "lay the book on the table". The past tenses cross over and trip everyone: lie, lay, lain; lay, laid, laid. Casual speech often uses "lay down" for "lie down", but careful writing keeps them apart.
Wrong and right
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Wrong I'm going to lay down for a nap.
Right I'm going to lie down for a nap.
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Wrong Please lie the baby in the crib.
Right Please lay the baby in the crib.
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Wrong He laid on the couch all afternoon.
Right He lay on the couch all afternoon.
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Wrong She lay the documents on my desk this morning.
Right She laid the documents on my desk this morning.
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Wrong The dog was laying by the door.
Right The dog was lying by the door.