fail to lay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to lay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the inability to place or set something down, often in a figurative sense. Example: "If you fail to lay the groundwork for your project, it may not succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

If an embryo experiences certain kinds of stress, it may fail to lay down the right epigenetic marks.

The New York Times - Science

They often fail to lay down clearly what would constitute a default for the purpose of triggering payment to holders of such derivatives.

The Economist

Last week, he watched Jose Reyes fail to lay down a crucial bunt in Philadelphia and Gary Sheffield muff a fly ball against Florida.

The New York Times - Sports

"Expecting Better" will be a revelation for curious mothers-to-be whose doctors fail to lay out the pros and cons of that morning latte, let alone discuss real science.

The New York Times

Instead, while Swann continued to bowl superbly, Collingwood turned first to Bresnan, who saw Stuart Broad circle under and fail to lay a finger on a skyer from Hussey and then, for the first and only time in the tournament, Luke Wright, whose fourth delivery induced another skewed outside edge from White, with Broad making amends.

The Guardian - Sport

The media will trumpet each one of these hurdles as it happens, but will (my guess) fail to lay out exactly what to expect next at each stage of the process.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Today's cameras rarely fail to lie.

The Guardian - Arts

MPs failed to lay a finger on him.

The Guardian - Opinion

And he insists the media has failed to lay a glove on him.

The Guardian - Business

During 90 minutes they failed to lay a glove on Rodgers's men.

The Guardian - Sport

But consultants warn that Microsoft runs risks if it fails to lay plans quickly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to lay", consider the context. It's effective when discussing a lack of groundwork, plans, or preparations. For example, "The government failed to lay the groundwork for the new policy."

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "fail to lay" in very informal or casual settings can sound overly formal. In such situations, simpler alternatives like "didn't" or "couldn't" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to lay" functions as a verb phrase, typically expressing a lack of action or inability to establish, prepare, or provide something. This is supported by Ludwig and its examples, which showcase varied contexts where something was not properly set or established.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fail to lay" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that describes the absence of establishing or preparing something. As confirmed by Ludwig, while not exceptionally frequent, it appears most commonly in news and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. To enhance clarity, consider contextually relevant alternatives such as "neglect to establish" or "not manage to set" in informal settings. It is important to note that in order to prevent writers from following in a typical mistake associated with "fail to lay", it is not recommended to overuse "fail to lay" in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglect to establish

This alternative suggests a lack of attention or care in setting up something.

not manage to set

This phrase implies a lack of success in putting something in place.

miss the opportunity to place

This suggests that an occasion to put something down was lost.

be unable to provide

Focuses on the lack of ability to supply or furnish something necessary.

fall short of delivering

Implies not meeting expectations in providing something.

omit to prepare

Highlights the absence of preparation or groundwork.

lack the ability to construct

Emphasizes a deficiency in the capacity to build or create.

prove incapable of setting up

Indicates an inherent inability to arrange or establish something.

not succeed in creating

Focuses on the lack of success in the act of creating or bringing something into existence.

struggle to formulate

Implies difficulty in expressing or devising a plan or idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "fail to lay" when describing the absence of establishing something, such as a foundation or plan. For example, "The company "failed to lay" the necessary groundwork for the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "fail to lay"?

Alternatives include "neglect to establish", "not manage to set", or "miss the opportunity to place" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "fail to lay" or "failed to lay"?

The choice between "fail to lay" and "failed to lay" depends on the tense of the sentence. Use "fail to lay" for present tense or general statements and "failed to lay" for past tense: "They often "fail to lay" down clearly what would constitute a default..." vs. "The Mets "failed to lay" down two sacrifice bunts..."

In what contexts is "fail to lay" most appropriate?

"Fail to lay" is suitable in contexts that involve planning, preparation, or establishing a foundation, often in formal or professional settings. Examples include discussing business strategies, policy implementation, or scientific groundwork.