Lay down vs. Lie down

Lie down (intransitive verb)

Meaning: To recline or rest in a flat position. It does not take a direct object (you don’t “lie down” something).

Conjugations:

• Present Simple: lie (down) / lies (down)
  • I lie down after work.
  • He lies down for a nap.
• Past Simple: lay (down)
  • Yesterday, I lay down for an hour.
  • She lay down on the grass.
• Past Participle: lain (down)
  • I have lain down all afternoon.
  • He had lain down before dinner.
• Present Participle (Gerund): lying (down)
  • She is lying down right now.
  • Lying down helps my back.

Lay down (Transitive Verb)

Meaning: To place something down, to set something down gently. It always takes a direct object (you “lay down” something).

Conjugations:

• Present Simple: lay (down) / lays (down)
  • Please lay down the book on the table.
  • She lays down the baby gently.
• Past Simple: laid (down)
  • He laid down his tools after work.
  • They laid down the carpet yesterday.
• Past Participle: laid (down)
  • I have laid down the groundwork for the project.
  • The chicken has laid down its eggs.
• Present Participle (Gerund): laying (down)
  • She is laying down the plates.
  • Laying down your burdens can be freeing.