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Tenacious Learner Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Lay vs lay down

Hi teachers,
Is there any difference between 'lay' and 'lay down'?
To use 'down' just adds emphasis to the verb, but it doesn't change the meaning at all. Right?
It's the same to say 'The dog lay the whole morning on the sofa' and 'The dog lay down the whole morning on the sofa' isn't it?

Thanks in advance
  

Top answer

The dog lay on the sofa all morning. The dog lay down on the sofa all morning. Better wording (IMHO).

— JohnParis

  • The dog lay on the sofa all morning.
  • The dog lay down on the sofa all morning.
  • Better wording (IMHO).
  • If the dog were sick, which one would you use?
  • What about if he were just lazy?
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17 Answers
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The dog lay on the sofa all morning. The dog lay down on the sofa all morning.
Better wording (IMHO).
If the dog were sick, which one would you use? What about if he were just lazy?
Same meaning?
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Not exactly. In this example, at least, to "lie down" is the act of CHANGING TO a lying down position.
"The dog lay on the sofa all morning" is right. The dog was CONTINUOUSLY laying on the sofa.
"I'm going to lay down on the sofa now" is right, but it refers to the action of moving to a lying position, not continuously laying on the sofa.
"The dog lay down on the sofa all morning" def
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JohnParisThe dog lay on the sofa all morning. The dog lay down on the sofa all morning.Better wording (IMHO).If the dog were sick, which one would you use? What about if he were just lazy?Same meaning?
Hi John,
Thanks for your reply and the given web.
If the dog were sick, which one would you use? 'Lay'?
What about if he were just lazy? 'Lay'?
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Hi Kris,
Thank you for your reply.
"I'm going to lay down on the sofa now" is right, but it refers to the action of moving to a lying position, not continuously laying on the sofa.
Do you mean I can't use this verb with the word 'down' for the preent or future?
By the way, what does BTW stand for? No problem if you didn't answer, I know you have read it, but thanks anyway.
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Thinking SpainHi Kris,Thank you for your reply."I'm going to lay down on the sofa now" is right, but it refers to the action of moving to a lying position, not continuously laying on the sofa.Do you mean I can't use this verb with the word 'down' for the preent or future?By the way, what does BTW stand for? No problem if you didn't answer, I know you have re
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Have a look at the article referenced by JohnParis, it is pretty clear and it explains my confusion over lay vs. lie.
I think a lot of people say LAY when they should say LIE.
When you're talking about reclining on a sofa, LIE is the right base word to use. The problem (well, ONE of the problems) is that the past tense of LIE is LAY, which is also a different word with a slightly different
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Yoong LiatIs 'to lay down' correct? Also. is 'laying on the sofa' correct?
Probably not; my earlier post was wrong in places.
"LAY DOWN your weapons" is right
"LAY DOWN on the sofa" is wrong; it should be "LIE DOWN on the sofa" or "LAY YOURSELF DOWN on the sofa".
"LAYING on the sofa" is wrong I think. It should be "I'm LYING on the sofa". You can s
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Is 'to lay down' correct? Also. is 'laying on the sofa' correct?

It is clear now that it should be 'to lie down' and 'lying on the sofa'.
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I just answered (or TRIED to answer) those questions. I think you must have missed my reply.
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