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lie on the bed vs lay on the bed

The phrases 'lie on the bed' and 'lay on the bed' are both correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Lie on the bed' is used when someone is reclining or resting on the bed, while 'lay on the bed' is used when someone is placing something on the bed. The choice between 'lie' and 'lay' depends on whether the action is being done by the subject or to an object.

Last updated: March 15, 2024

lie on the bed

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when someone is reclining or resting on the bed.

Use 'lie on the bed' when referring to someone reclining or resting on the bed.

Examples:

  • I like to lie on the bed and read a book.
  • She lies on the bed when she needs to relax.
  • He lies on the bed to take a nap.
  • I want to lie on the bed. Usually I lie on the sofa and watch TV. My dog always lies on this mat. He loves this mat. Yesterday, he lay here all day. She has lain in ...
  • one of the falsest of proverbs is that you must lie on the bed that you have made. The experience of life shows that people are constantly doing things which must  ...
  • Dec 30, 2008 ... Present: Today I lie on the bed. Past: Yesterday I lay on the bed. Present Perfect: I have lain on the bed all day. Present Continuous: I am lying ...
  • Why don't you lie on the bed?Why don't you lay on the bed? In the past tenses laid (fromlay) is often wrongly used for lay or lain (fromlie)She had lain there all ...

Alternatives:

  • recline on the bed
  • rest on the bed
  • relax on the bed

lay on the bed

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when someone is placing something on the bed.

Use 'lay on the bed' when referring to placing something on the bed.

Examples:

  • Please lay the clothes on the bed.
  • She lays the baby on the bed for a diaper change.
  • He lays the book on the bed before going to sleep.
  • I know, we lay on the bed, no drinking, no euphoria... nothing, come on.
  • I just said, Lay on the bed.
  • He lay on the bed, face down.
  • He told her to undress and lay on the bed.
  • It lay on the bed, I found the sweep.
  • RAUCOUS LAUGHTER And while you and your husband lay on the bed, what was Dr Graham doing?

Alternatives:

  • place on the bed
  • put on the bed
  • position on the bed

Related Comparisons

lay on the bed vs lay in the bed lay on the bed vs lay in bed lie in bed vs lie on bed reason behind his crying vs book lying on the bed stayed lying on the bed vs couldn't stay lying on the bed lie on my bed vs lay on my bed

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