going to lay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going to lay" is not correct in standard English; it should be "going to lie" when referring to reclining or resting.
You can use "going to lie" when discussing plans to recline or rest in the future. Example: "After a long day at work, I'm going to lie down for a while."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They're not going to lay down".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm going to lay him down softly".

The New York Times - Sports

"We're going to lay it all out".

The New York Times

They're not going to lay down tomorrow.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're going to lay it down".

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm going to lay back with a stogie".

The New York Times - Magazine

Kendall's not going to lay on the floor.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm not going to lay down for anybody," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"No man is going to lay his hands on me.

The Guardian - Sport

"We're not going to lay down our weapons before negotiations".

The New York Times

They weren't going to lay down and quit".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to reclining or resting, use "going to lie down" instead of "going to lay down". Remember that "lay" requires a direct object (e.g., "lay the book down"), while "lie" does not.

Common error

Many people incorrectly use "lay" when they mean "lie". "Lay" is a transitive verb (it takes a direct object), while "lie" is intransitive (it does not take a direct object). Ensure you are not using "going to lay" when you mean "going to lie" in the context of resting or reclining.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going to lay" functions as a verb phrase indicating a future action. However, its grammatical correctness depends heavily on the context. As Ludwig AI explains, it's often misused in place of "going to lie" when referring to reclining.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "going to lay" is frequently used, particularly in News & Media, it is often grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the most common error is using it in place of "going to lie" when intending to express reclining or resting. Remember that "lay" requires a direct object, while "lie" does not. When used correctly, "going to lay" indicates a future action of placing something down. Consider alternatives like "going to lie down", "going to explain", or "going to present" depending on the intended meaning to ensure accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going to lie down

Replaces "lay" with the correct verb "lie" when referring to reclining.

going to recline

Offers a more formal synonym for "lie down".

going to rest

Provides a general term for taking a break.

going to take a nap

Specifies a short period of sleep.

going to take a break

Suggests a pause from activity, without necessarily reclining.

going to present

Replaces "lay" when the intent is to present something.

going to explain

Offers an alternative when the intended meaning is to clarify.

going to set forth

Provides a more formal alternative to "lay out" ideas.

going to impose

Replaces "lay" when referring to imposing something like restrictions.

going to wager

If the intended meaning is to bet or gamble.

FAQs

When should I use 'going to lie' versus 'going to lay'?

'Going to lie' is used when referring to reclining or resting. For example, "I'm going to lie down after work". 'Going to lay' requires a direct object, as in "I'm going to lay the book on the table".

What's a simple trick to remember the difference between 'lay' and 'lie'?

Remember that you "lay something" down (it takes an object), but you "lie down" (no object needed).

What are some alternatives to 'going to lay out' when presenting information?

Instead of 'going to lay out', consider using alternatives like "going to explain", "going to present", or "going to detail". For example, "I'm going to explain my plan".

Is 'going to lay' ever correct?

Yes, "going to lay" is correct when you are talking about placing something down or setting something. As an example: "The bricklayer is going to lay the bricks for the new wall".