Lay the groundwork for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Lay the groundwork for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the preparation or foundation needed for a future project, plan, or idea. Example: "The initial research will help us lay the groundwork for a successful marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

New York intends to lay the groundwork for seven casinos.

The New York Times - Sports

It could lay the groundwork for real and lasting prosperity.

The New York Times

| Defense officials lay the groundwork for a cybersecurity bill.

The New York Times

Deprived childhoods lay the groundwork for future social ills.

The New York Times

Beta-amyloid is thought to lay the groundwork for dementia.

The New Yorker

That's what good family programming can lay the groundwork for".

The New York Times - Arts

A more complex task is to lay the groundwork for a much simpler constitution.

The Economist

Those clauses lay the groundwork for legal action if something goes wrong.

The New York Times - Arts

The string of recent cases, banks fear, could lay the groundwork for years of costly litigation.

The New York Times

It is time to lay the groundwork for effective global human exploration of space.

The New York Times

Their dual mission: persuasion and organization to lay the groundwork for a strong showing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lay the groundwork for" to emphasize the preparatory actions taken to enable future success or development. It suggests a deliberate and careful approach to building a foundation.

Common error

Avoid using "lay the groundwork for" when the action is immediate or requires no significant preparation. This phrase is most effective when describing actions that have long-term implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay the groundwork for" functions as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it correctly describes actions taken to prepare for a future event or development. It highlights the preparatory nature of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lay the groundwork for" is a versatile and commonly used expression that describes preparatory actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. It functions as a verb phrase emphasizing the creation of a foundation for future success, predominantly appearing in News & Media, Scientific and Business contexts. The phrase's neutral to professional register makes it suitable for diverse communications, and alternatives like "establish a foundation for" or "set the stage for" can offer nuanced variations. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves actions that genuinely prepare for a future, long-term outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Establish a foundation for

Replaces "lay" with "establish" and "groundwork" with "foundation", emphasizing a more solid and permanent base.

Set the stage for

Uses a theatrical metaphor to suggest preparation and anticipation of a coming event.

Prepare the way for

Emphasizes the act of clearing obstacles and making a path for something to follow.

Pave the path for

Similar to "prepare the way", but suggests a more deliberate and constructed preparation.

Create a basis for

Focuses on the creation of a fundamental element necessary for further development.

Build a platform for

Suggests the construction of a structure that allows for future growth or action.

Make preparations for

A more general term for getting ready, lacking the specific imagery of groundwork.

Develop the basis for

Focuses on gradual development and refinement of a fundamental element.

Put measures in place for

Highlights the implementation of specific steps and actions to prepare for something.

Form the preliminary basis for

Adds formality by specifying that the basis being formed is preliminary.

FAQs

How can I use "lay the groundwork for" in a sentence?

You can use "lay the groundwork for" to describe actions that prepare for future events. For example: "The research will "lay the groundwork for" a new treatment."

What's a good alternative to "lay the groundwork for"?

Alternatives include phrases like "establish a foundation for", "set the stage for", or "prepare the way for", depending on the specific context.

Is "lay the groundwork for" formal or informal?

"Lay the groundwork for" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself.

What does it mean to "lay the groundwork for" something?

To "lay the groundwork for" something means to create the initial conditions or foundation that will allow it to happen or succeed in the future. It implies a process of preparation and planning.