Can someone please tell me when to use лежать versus ложиться? I understand that ложиться is reflexive but I need a clearer understanding of the difference between the two verbs. Perhaps an example or maybe a comparison to English usage. Thanks.
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Can someone please tell me when to use лежать versus ложиться? I understand that ложиться is reflexive but I need a clearer understanding of the difference between the two verbs. Perhaps an example or maybe a comparison to English usage. Thanks.
It's like this (more or less):
лежать ~ to lie
ложиться ~ to lie down
Она лежит на земле - She is lying on the ground. (the process of lying - she's already on the ground)
Она ложится на землю - She is lying down on the ground. (the action of getting into horisontal position :))
But be aware that many Russian expressions with "лежать" and "ложиться" require different verbs in English (not "to lie").
ложиться в больницу — go to the hospital (meaning that you stay there for some time as a patient)
вина за это лежит на вас — you are to blame for it
я поздно ложусь - I sit up late
etc.