People frequently tell me they don’t know the difference between “lie” and “lay.”  Let’s sort this out.  Very simply, the verb “lie” means to “recline,” and the verb “lay” means to “put” or “place.” 

The verb “lie” should be used when referring to one’s reclining on a bed, on a couch, in a chair, on the floor, or reclining anyplace.  It is something you do for yourself—someone else does not do it to you or for you.  You “lie” down (not “lay” down) to take a nap because you are doing it yourself, someone else is not doing it for you.  You should ask your dog to “lie” down (not “lay” down) because you are asking the dog to do it for itself.  “Lie” also can be used to indicate one’s staying in a horizontal position. Read more…