eager to lay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "eager to lay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong desire or enthusiasm to place or set something down, often in a figurative sense. Example: "She was eager to lay the groundwork for her new project, ensuring everything was in place before the launch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

VW fans for some reason don't seem especially eager to lay claim to the 914 either.

The New York Times

But mostly she was eager to lay eyes on the one thing she had searched for all of her life.

The New York Times

Both sides have explicitly disavowed violence, but law enforcement has seemed eager to lay the blame at protesters' feet.

The New Yorker

That set off a stampede by other ambitious officials eager to lay claim to various patches of cyberspace.

The New York Times

But while "The Morning World" introduced a bandleader-composer eager to lay his cards on the table, "North Hero" feels more measured and patient.

The New York Times - Arts

While double-paned windows or new heating systems may save money in the long run, few homeowners are eager to lay out cash for them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

As mentioned, Apple clearly sees little value in making a big deal out of this case against it, but Einhorn definitely doesn't seem as eager to let things lie low.

TechCrunch

But here, the character is eager to learn, eager to stay, willing to lie, cheat and steal in order to stay, right?

The New York Times

That left plenty of room for unscrupulous companies — eager to sell their wares — to lie, fabricate and mislead.

The New York Times

And every week, if there was even a hint of crime or danger in Mayberry, the ever vigilant Barney was eager to spring into action, lay a dragnet around the city, form a posse and deputize everyone from Otis the town drunk to Floyd the barber.

The New York Times

The stonecutters are eager to find out what lies on the other side of the sky, but they are also afraid, and, in a prayer service, Chiang writes, "they gave thanks that they were permitted to see so much, and begged forgiveness for their desire to see more".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eager to lay" when you want to express a strong desire or enthusiasm to establish a foundation, set something in place, or attribute something, often in a figurative sense. For example, "The company was eager to lay the groundwork for its expansion into new markets."

Common error

Avoid using "eager to lay" in purely literal contexts where 'lay' implies a physical action without a broader, strategic intention. The phrase is most effective when conveying eagerness to establish, attribute or set something in place conceptually, rather than simply placing something down.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eager to lay" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject, expressing their willingness or enthusiasm to perform a subsequent action. It describes a state of readiness or strong desire. Ludwig examples show it describing people ready to lay blame, hands, groundwork etc. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eager to lay" is a commonly used phrase that effectively conveys enthusiasm or readiness to establish or attribute something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. It is particularly prevalent in News & Media, as shown by the Ludwig examples. When using "eager to lay", it's important to consider the context and ensure that the figurative use aligns with the intended message. To enhance your writing, consider alternatives like "keen to establish" or "enthusiastic to set" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keen to establish

Focuses on the enthusiasm for setting up or founding something. It emphasizes the initiative and the preparatory work.

enthusiastic to set

Highlights a more general excitement towards setting something, without necessarily implying preparation.

anxious to place

Indicates a sense of urgency or worry in addition to eagerness when placing something.

ready to deposit

Emphasizes preparedness and the act of depositing something, which could be an object or an idea.

prepared to position

Stresses the proactive arrangement of something, showing readiness and planning.

wanting to establish

Conveys a desire to create or bring something into existence, but might lack the intensity of "eager".

desirous to arrange

Implies a strong wish to organize or set up, adding a formal tone compared to "eager".

willing to put

Shows agreement and readiness, with a focus on the act of placing or contributing something.

inclined to position

Indicates a tendency or leaning towards arranging or setting something, less forceful than "eager".

prompt to set

Highlights speed and quickness in setting something, emphasizing the immediacy of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "eager to lay" in a sentence?

Use "eager to lay" when you want to express strong enthusiasm for establishing something. For example, "The new CEO was "eager to lay" out the company's vision for the next decade".

What are some alternatives to "eager to lay"?

You can use alternatives like "keen to establish", "enthusiastic to set", or "anxious to place" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "eager to lay"?

It's appropriate to use "eager to lay" when describing someone's strong desire to establish a base, or foundation, or attribute something specific. For example, "The politician was "eager to lay" the blame on his opponent".

Is "eager to lay" formal or informal?

"Eager to lay" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in news and media, where clear and concise language is preferred. Consider your audience and purpose when choosing this phrase over alternatives.