lie in bed vs lie on bed

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Lie in bed' is used when someone is already in bed and lying down, while 'lie on bed' is used when someone is lying on top of the bed without being under the covers.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1244 views

lie in bed

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when someone is already in bed and lying down, typically under the covers.

Examples:

I like to read a book before I lie in bed.
She was tired, so she decided to lie in bed and rest.
It's nice to lie in bed on a lazy Sunday morning.

Show examples from the web [+]

I remember before we got kids and I could just lie in bed on Saturday.
It's kind of nice to lie in bed and watch the big TV.
- How can I lie in bed, my love, when the King of England has summoned me?
So I'd lie in bed and I'd work up this big water spit.
He likes to lie in bed, watch movies and hold my hand.
I can only lie in bed for so long.
You can lie in bed and hear me ship passing down the old canal.
I prefer to lie in bed, reading magazines, novels...
Used to lie in bed at night wondering the same things you're wondering now.
Maybe Greta should lie in bed.
Then the double meaning of lie in bed.
Every night, I lie in bed weighing my decisions.
I'd lie in bed at night, hear horses going by.
I think of you when I lie in bed...
I can't lie in bed alone upstairs.
We could lie in bed all day doing interviews for the press.
"We'd lie in bed the night"trying to imagine what she was going through.
We used to lie in bed and fantasize about where we'd go if we could go anywhere.
I lie in bed at night wondering why.
You did not lie in bed at night dreaming of being kidnappers, human traffickers, terrorists.

Alternatives:

lie down in bed
rest in bed
relax in bed
sleep in bed
snuggle in bed

lie on bed

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when someone is lying on top of the bed, not under the covers.

Examples:

I like to lie on my bed and listen to music.
She lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
He was too tired to undress, so he just lay on the bed.

Alternatives:

lie on top of the bed
lie on the bedspread
lie on the covers
lie on the mattress
lie on the duvet

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lie in bed vs lie on bed

lie in bed

lie on bed

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