hard to lay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to lay" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express that something is difficult to place or position, often referring to ideas or plans. Example: "The new policy is hard to lay out in a way that everyone can understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Ethical rules are hard to lay down because of the "but-what-if" factor.

The New York Times

(The study in question, published in the 1920s, is hard to lay hands on).

The New York Times - Arts

"We've been working very hard to lay a strong foundation," Mr. Tomson said last week.

The New York Times

But it's hard to lay an egg with a party at Cindy Sherman's new property in the Springs area of East Hampton, overlooking Accabonac Harbor.

The New York Times

But it's hard to lay claim to one of the most scrutinized figures in American history, and Carter wisely makes him a peripheral character.

The New York Times - Books

Without an international understanding, new empires lurking in the wings could assert themselves, resurrecting again the threats that my mother's generation worked so hard to lay to rest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

He added: "Was it hard to lie in the beginning?

The New York Times

"It's so hard to lie because you have to keep track.

Independent

It's not hard to lie; we just get complex with our words and expressions.

The New York Times

For one, it would be hard to lie about my age.

The Washington Post

"It's just like living in a village, where it's actually hard to lie because everybody knows the truth already," Tufekci said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard to lay" when you want to express difficulty in attributing something, like blame or responsibility. For example, "It's hard to lay the blame solely on one factor."

Common error

Avoid using "hard to lay" when a more direct verb clarifies who is performing the action. For example, instead of "It's hard to lay blame," consider "It's hard for the court to prove guilt."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to lay" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It's used to describe the difficulty associated with placing, attributing, or assigning something, often responsibility or blame. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hard to lay" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey difficulty in attributing or assigning something, especially blame or responsibility. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and the examples show its usage across varied sources, primarily in news and media. While its register is generally neutral, writers should consider the specific audience and purpose to ensure appropriate phrasing. Alternatives such as "difficult to place" or "challenging to assign" may be more fitting in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to place

Emphasizes the difficulty in positioning or assigning something.

challenging to assign

Highlights the challenge involved in allocating blame or responsibility.

tough to establish

Focuses on the difficulty of setting up or proving something.

not easy to impose

Underscores the lack of ease in enforcing or implementing something.

hard to pin down

Indicates the elusiveness or difficulty in defining something precisely.

difficult to attribute

Stresses the difficulty in assigning a cause or characteristic.

tough to set forth

Focuses on the difficulty of presenting or explaining something clearly.

challenging to determine

Highlights the difficulty in figuring something out.

not straightforward to establish

Implies complexity in setting up or demonstrating something.

difficult to level

Focuses on the challenge of directing an accusation or criticism.

FAQs

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

Use "hard to lay" when indicating difficulty in assigning blame, responsibility, or a specific quality. For example, "It's "hard to lay" the blame on any one person."

What's the difference between "hard to lay" and "difficult to attribute"?

"Hard to lay" often relates to assigning blame or responsibility, while "difficult to attribute" refers more broadly to identifying the cause or origin of something.

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

You can use alternatives such as "difficult to place", "challenging to assign", or "tough to establish", depending on the specific context.

Is "hard to lay" formal or informal?

"Hard to lay" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more common in news and media than in highly academic writing. Consider the specific audience and purpose when choosing your phrasing.