able to lay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to lay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's capability to place something down or to produce something, such as eggs. Example: "The hen is able to lay eggs every day during the spring season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was able to lay it out there for him".

The New York Times - Sports

"I haven't been able to lay out an educational plan," he said.

The New York Times

The term is derived from a Greek word meaning "able to lay hold of".

The Economist

"We were able to lay off the change and sit on the fastball".

The New York Times - Sports

So South was able to lay his plans while West thought what to do.

The New York Times - Arts

According to the article, which entertainers have "been able to lay claim to fabulousness"?

The New York Times

"There are always alternatives, and I might have been able to lay something on him.

The Guardian - Music

Brown may be able to lay out an enticing route map to political revival.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I was able to lay back and look at the stars over Times Square".

The New York Times

Yet not one of them was able to lay down her already-forfeited life in the defense of the others.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Drew said he was starting to see the ball better and was able to lay off some tough pitches.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "able to lay" to describe an action, ensure the context is clear. For instance, specify what is being laid (e.g., "able to lay tiles").

Common error

A common mistake is using "lay" when "lie" is appropriate. "Lay" requires a direct object (e.g., "I lay the book on the table"), while "lie" does not (e.g., "I lie down to rest"). Avoid saying "I am able to lay down" when you mean "I am able to lie down".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to lay" functions as a verb phrase indicating the capacity or capability to perform the action of laying or placing something. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

22%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "able to lay" is a versatile expression indicating the capacity to place or produce something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, media and wiki. It's crucial to distinguish "able to lay" from similar-sounding phrases like "able to lie", which has a different meaning. When using "able to lay", ensure clarity by specifying the object being laid. The phrase is generally neutral in register and appears frequently in diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of placing

Replaces "able" with "capable" and "lay" with "placing", focusing on the act of putting something down.

in a position to put

Emphasizes the state of readiness for placing something, rather than just the ability.

equipped to set down

Highlights the preparation or resources needed to lay something down.

prepared to deposit

Focuses on the intention and readiness to place something, often carefully.

ready to position

Stresses the arrangement and alignment aspect of laying something.

fit to produce

Shifts the meaning towards being in a suitable condition for creating or yielding something like eggs.

competent to put forth

Implies skill or expertise in presenting or putting something forward.

authorized to impose

Suggests the right or power to place something, such as a rule or tax.

empowered to establish

Highlights the authority and capability to set something up or bring it into being.

allowed to place

Focuses on the permission granted to lay something down, rather than just the ability.

FAQs

How to use "able to lay" in a sentence?

"Able to lay" describes the capacity to place something down or produce something. For example, "The company is "able to lay" new fiber optic cables", or "The hen is "able to lay" eggs".

What's the difference between "able to lay" and "capable of laying"?

Both phrases express the same concept of having the ability to place something down or produce something. "Capable of laying" is a synonym of "able to lay", but "able" is more common in everyday language.

What can I say instead of "able to lay"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "capable of placing", "in a position to put", or "equipped to set down".

Which is correct, "able to lay" or "able to lie"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings. "Able to lay" means having the ability to place something down, while "able to lie" means having the ability to recline or be in a horizontal position. You should choose the phrase that matches your intended meaning.