When is the proper time to use "lie" vs "lay" [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the difference between “lay” and “lie”?
Which one of the following examples is correct?
Lie down on the bench.
Lay down on the bench.
The important distinction is that lay requires a direct object and lie does not. So you lie down on the sofa (no direct object), but you lay the book down on the table (the book is the direct object).