Lean on someone's shoulder vs Lean against someone's shoulder (Which form is correct?)
I would like to know which of the following forms is the correct one to use.
- Lean on someone's shoulder
- Lean against someone's shoulder

I have a couple of examples:
1. I love the warm feeling when I lean on Elizabeth's shoulder.
2. I love the warm feeling when I lean against Elizabeth's shoulder.

Question

Lean on someone's shoulder vs Lean against someone's shoulder (Which form is correct?)
I would like to know which of the following forms is the correct one to use.
- Lean on someone's shoulder
- Lean against someone's shoulder

I have a couple of examples:
1. I love the warm feeling when I lean on Elizabeth's shoulder.
2. I love the warm feeling when I lean against Elizabeth's shoulder.

Answer

"Lean on" someone's shoulder is the correct way to say it. However, "to lean on someone's shoulder" is also used to describe a person that you can depend on or who supports you, not that you have your head physically on their shoulder.

Example:
When my mother died, Mary was always there with a shoulder to lean on.( She was always supportive and sympathetic).

Answer

I agree with the other comments, "lean on" sounds better in this case.

Answer

Cherri, thanks for replying to my question. Which form do you think is the most common?

Answer

#1 could be taken differently because there is an expression "a shoulder to lean on". For example: I can always count on my best friend, she always has a shoulder for me to lean on. Meaning she is always there for me when I need her.