lay me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lay me" is not correct in standard written English.
It is often confused with "lay me down," which is a more common expression used in specific contexts, such as in songs or poetry. Example: "Please lay me down gently on the bed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Cold and mosquitoes, / these two pests / come never together," goes the Iglulik song, "I lay me down on the ice, / Lay me down on the snow and the ice, / Till my teeth fall chattering" (5 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Six hours a day I lay me down.

The New Yorker

"Anybody I can lay me hands on," he quipped.

The New York Times

If they lay me off, I'll move on".

The New York Times

"He thought he was going to lay me out," Howell said.

The New York Times - Sports

But when I'm gone please lay me down in Hudson Valley soil.

The New York Times

It is "Let Me Down Easy" not "Lay Me Down Easy".

The New York Times

He promised he'd lay me out in a prom dress if I ever died in action.

The New York Times

But when I prayed and said, 'Now I lay me down to sleep', I meant business".

The Guardian - Music

Ladbrokes and bet365 have invariably been willing to lay me a fair-size wager, but they are in the minority.

The Guardian

If your Excellency can confer this favor -- you will lay me under many obligations Again your Obedient Servant Fredk.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, replace "lay me" with alternatives like "put me" or "place me", unless you're intentionally using archaic language or poetic expression.

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "lay me" when they mean "lie down". "Lay" requires a direct object (e.g., "Lay the book on the table"), while "lie" is intransitive (e.g., "I will lie down"). Avoid this error by using "let me lie" or "allow me to rest" if you intend to convey reclining.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay me" functions as a verb phrase, where "lay" is intended as a transitive verb, but often used incorrectly without a direct object. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is not considered correct in standard written English. It appears mostly in informal contexts, poetry, or song lyrics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "lay me" appears in a variety of sources, including news and media, its usage is often grammatically incorrect in modern English. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the confusion often arises from the misuse of the verb "lay" without a direct object, or from confusing it with the verb "lie". For clarity and correctness, it's generally advisable to use alternatives like "put me" or "place me" unless you're intentionally employing poetic or archaic language. In formal writing, avoiding "lay me" is recommended to maintain grammatical integrity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lay me down

Adds "down" to "lay me", making it grammatically correct in certain contexts such as resting or sleeping.

set me down

Adding "down" to “set me”, makes the phrase grammatically correct when talking about a placement of something in a lower position.

put me

Replaces the verb "lay" with "put", offering a grammatically sound alternative when referring to placing someone or something.

place me

Similar to "put me", this option provides a more formal and generally acceptable way to indicate placement.

set me

This alternative changes the verb to “set”, which can be used when talking about positioning something.

let me lie

This construction uses "lie" (to recline) instead of "lay" (to place), often used in requests to be left undisturbed.

put myself

Changes the sentence to reflect acting upon oneself in a certain way.

place myself

Changes the sentence to reflect acting upon oneself in a certain way.

allow me to rest

This phrase offers a more explicit and formal way to request rest or repose.

position myself

Offers a more formal way of saying “place myself”.

FAQs

How can I use "lay me" correctly in a sentence?

While "lay me" is often considered grammatically incorrect in modern English, it can appear in specific, intentional contexts such as song lyrics, poetry, or archaic expressions. For general use, it's better to use alternatives like "put me" or "place me".

What's the difference between "lay me" and "lay me down"?

"Lay me" is generally considered ungrammatical in standard English. Adding "down" makes it "lay me down", which is grammatically acceptable in specific, poetic contexts to mean reclining or resting. In everyday language, using "put me down" or "place me down" (if appropriate to the context) are better choices.

Which is correct, "lay me" or "lie me"?

Neither "lay me" nor "lie me" is correct in standard English. "Lay" requires a direct object, and "lie" is intransitive, meaning it doesn't take a direct object. Correct alternatives depend on the intended meaning; for example, "let me lie" or "allow me to rest".

What can I say instead of "lay me" in a formal context?

In a formal context, avoid "lay me" altogether. Instead, use phrases like "place me" or "position me" depending on the intended meaning. If you mean to recline or rest, consider using "allow me to recline".