failed to lay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to lay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone did not successfully place or set something down, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The project manager failed to lay the groundwork for effective communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

MPs failed to lay a finger on him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet it failed to lay the institutional foundations that private financial markets needed to thrive.

Yale University

From the beginning, he has failed to lay out a properly costed set of tax proposals.

The New Yorker

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

That raises the prospect of losses for banks that entered the market but failed to lay off their risks properly.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

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

The New York Times - Science

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

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

(2) Aimed at building a moral community, of peace, order & justice, the Charter fails to lay down rules of conduct as a condition of membership.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality of your writing. While "failed to lay" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts may benefit from alternatives like "did not establish" or "omitted to place".

Common error

Avoid using "failed to lay" in literal contexts where "lay" refers to physically placing something down. The phrase is more commonly used figuratively to describe a lack of foundation or preparation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to lay" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of successful action in establishing or preparing something. It implies an omission or unsuccessful attempt, often in a figurative sense. This aligns with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

27%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to lay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase, indicating a lack of successful action in establishing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used in diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. When writing, ensure that the context is clear and that the figurative sense is appropriate. While generally acceptable, consider alternatives like "did not establish" or "neglected to prepare" for more formal settings. Avoiding literal interpretations and ensuring clarity will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not establish

Focuses on the lack of establishing something, rather than a failed attempt.

did not set

Emphasizes the absence of setting something up, similar to not establishing.

neglected to put down

Highlights the act of neglecting to place something, adding a sense of oversight.

omitted to place

Focuses on the omission of placing something, suggesting a deliberate choice or oversight.

did not construct

Highlights the lack of construction or building, indicating a failure to create.

did not institute

Focuses on the absence of instituting or establishing a system or process.

did not prepare

Emphasizes the lack of preparation, indicating a failure to get ready.

failed to build

Similar to 'did not construct', but emphasizes the action of building.

failed to set up

Focuses on the failure to establish or organize something.

neglected to prepare

Highlights the neglect in preparing something, adding a sense of oversight.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to lay" to describe a lack of preparation or foundation. For example, "The company "failed to lay" the groundwork for the new product launch."

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

Alternatives include "did not establish", "did not set", or "neglected to put down", depending on the specific context.

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

"Failed to lay" is correct when referring to not establishing or putting something down. "Failed to lie" refers to not telling a falsehood or being in a reclined position, a completely different meaning.

Is "failed to lay" formal or informal?

"Failed to lay" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In highly formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "did not institute" or "omitted to place".