are laid over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are laid over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is placed or positioned on top of something else, often in a temporary or overlapping manner. Example: "The new carpet tiles are laid over the old flooring to give the room a fresh look."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

They're all affordable, except maybe three or four that are market-rate, but those are laid over from when the market was strong.

The New York Times

Eucalyptus leaves are laid over hot rocks, and the therapeutic effects of a brief, pore-draining session are almost immediately self-evident.

The Guardian - Travel

(Incidentally, if you liked that Kimmel Kartoon, check out the one in which Charlie Sheen's answers to Andrea Canning's interview questions during his meltdown are laid over images from an old Charlie Brown special).

Los Angeles Times

The egg pods are laid over an interval of several weeks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In later works from the series, the black stripes are laid over raw canvas and the white glimmering between them is lively beyond doubt.

The New York Times - Arts

But toward the end of the process, each of the main characters was also interviewed at length, and it is in these monologues, bits of which are laid over the action, that they speak about the effects the job has had on their lives -- from the trauma of 9/11 to a policewoman's search for a boyfriend not intimidated by her badge and gun.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Molded plywood, in which veneer sheets were laid over a mold with adhesive between two or more plies or skins, was the next development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Frost covers have been laid over much of the track, but should these fail to save the card, Nicholls main concern is for Master Minded rather than Denman.

The Guardian - Sport

The veneer of insouciance is laid over a fiercely competitive nature and a heightened sense of business in a man with serious ambitions as a coach.

The Guardian - Sport

The spa is within the walls of an old church; a glass floor is laid over ruins.

Forbes

(2) After the sculpted clay surface had dried, a mixture of sand and clay was laid over the clay form, baked, and removed in sections to serve as the outer mold.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are laid over", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being placed on top of what. For example, "The blankets are laid over the patients" clearly shows the relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "are laid over" when an active construction is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The groundwork had been laid over the previous two decades", consider "They had laid the groundwork over the previous two decades".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are laid over" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase. It describes an action being performed on a subject, indicating that something is being placed or positioned on top of something else. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are laid over" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase used to describe the act of placing one thing over another, physically or conceptually. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for a variety of contexts. It is most often found in news and media, science, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, ensure the context is clear about what is being placed and what it is being placed upon. When appropriate, consider active voice alternatives for a more direct sentence structure. This phrase has a high expert rating and can be used in versatile writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are placed over

Focuses on the action of putting something on top of something else, similar to covering or layering.

are positioned atop

Emphasizes the placement on the upper surface, suggesting a deliberate arrangement.

are overlaid on

Similar to superimposed, but more commonly used in technical or graphical contexts.

are superimposed upon

Highlights the overlapping nature and the blending of one thing over another, often used in abstract contexts.

are spread over

Indicates a more even distribution across the surface, implying a covering action.

are coated with

Suggests covering with a layer of substance, often implying a protective or decorative purpose.

are draped over

Implies a casual or artistic arrangement of something loosely covering another object.

are tiered above

Conveys a sense of layering or arranging in levels, different from simply laying over.

are veneered with

Similar to coated but specifies that the surface is covered with a decorative material.

are laminated onto

Conveys a sense of bonding layers together, adding a sense of adhesion to the covering action.

FAQs

How do I use "are laid over" in a sentence?

The phrase "are laid over" indicates something is being placed on top of something else. For example, "Tiles "are laid over" the old flooring".

What's a synonym for "are laid over"?

Alternatives include "are placed over", "are positioned atop", or "are superimposed upon", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "are laid over"?

While "are laid over" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes create a more direct and concise sentence. For instance, instead of "The foundations "were laid over"", you could say "They laid the foundations".

In what contexts is "are laid over" most commonly used?

Based on the provided data, "are laid over" is frequently used in contexts related to news and media, science, encyclopedias and wiki. For example, it describes physical objects being placed on surfaces, or abstract ideas being superimposed onto something.