lying on the bed/being in bed

Thanks for your comments on yesterday's question.

I got another one today.
This may seem quite simple or easy one for some. Not for me.

She is lying on the bed.
She is in bed.

What difference is there between the two sentences?
Could you tell me?

Thank you again and have a great day!

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by pb

Thanks for your comments on yesterday's question.

I got another one today.
This may seem quite simple or easy one for some. Not for me.

She is lying on the bed.
She is in bed.

What difference is there between the two sentences?
Could you tell me?

Thank you again and have a great day!

To lie (down) on the bed is to be on top of the covers, whereas to lie (down) in bed is to be inside the covers. Also, to be in bed is an idiom that means to be ill.

Ex: She is in bed (with a cold). She is ill.

All the best,

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by pb

Thanks for your comments on yesterday's question.

I got another one today.
This may seem quite simple or easy one for some. Not for me.

She is lying on the bed.
She is in bed.

What difference is there between the two sentences?
Could you tell me?

Thank you again and have a great day!

I agree with the response you received from cas, but I'd like to add to it a little.

"Lying on the bed" refers primarily to someone's physical location/position at a point in time. The subject could be napping, reading, working, watching television, etc. When someone is "in bed", it usually implies that the bed is a major part of the purpose of the person's being there. She is or was sleeping, or is ill, depressed, or has some other reason closely associated with that item of furniture.

I agree with the response you received from cas, but I'd like to add to it a little.

"Lying on the bed" refers primarily to someone's physical location/position at a point in time. The subject could be napping, reading, working, watching television, etc. When someone is "in bed", it usually implies that the bed is a major part of the purpose of the person's being there. She is or was sleeping, or is ill, depressed, or has some other reason closely associated with that item of furniture.[/quote]

Mike, you are very excerllent!

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by luckychris

I agree with the response you received from cas, but I'd like to add to it a little.

"Lying on the bed" refers primarily to someone's physical location/position at a point in time. The subject could be napping, reading, working, watching television, etc. When someone is "in bed", it usually implies that the bed is a major part of the purpose of the person's being there. She is or was sleeping, or is ill, depressed, or has some other reason closely associated with that item of furniture.

Mike, you are very excerllent![/quote]

Thank you, Chris. :wink: