is about to lay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is about to lay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is on the verge of laying down or placing something, often in a future context. Example: "The hen is about to lay her eggs in the nest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He is about to lay the first bit of a 215km pipeline which will carry gas from Colombia.

The Economist

She also has a panting, baby doll expression, as if she is about to lay a finger on her pouty lip.

The New York Times

He is about to lay the boy down in his bed when he has the strange feeling that he is looking at himself.

The New Yorker

"The unfortunate reality is our revenue streams have not rebounded," said Timothy R. Hacker, the city manager of North Las Vegas, which has cut its work force to 1,300 from 2,300 and is about to lay off 130 more.

The New York Times

RIM is about to lay off more employees in an ongoing effort to cut $1 billion by 2013.

TechCrunch

The FCC is about to lay the smackdown on Amp'd for not protecting customer data securely enough.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He was about to lay down millions more.

The New York Times

So it was soon obvious to the crowd that the creature was about to "lay".

The New Yorker

Its driver, the police said, was about to lay down a far bloodier wake.

The New York Times

At this very second, the great Cadbury chicken may be about to lay another mediocre batch.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The setting is Lvov, Poland, in 1943, where the Nazis are about to lay waste to the Jewish ghetto.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is about to lay", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being laid and the specific situation. This helps to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid confusing "lay" (to place or set down) with "lie" (to recline or tell an untruth). "Lay" requires a direct object (something being laid), while "lie" does not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is about to lay" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action that is imminent or on the verge of happening. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. Examples show it used in contexts ranging from economic forecasts to biological processes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is about to lay" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered verb phrase used to indicate an imminent action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and business. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys a sense of anticipation. Key considerations include distinguishing "lay" from "lie" and ensuring clarity regarding what is being laid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is on the verge of laying

Emphasizes the immediacy and proximity of the action, similar to "is about to lay".

is just about to lay

Adds slight emphasis to the imminence of the action.

is on the point of laying

Indicates a precise moment before the action occurs.

is going to lay

A more informal way of expressing future action.

will soon lay

Implies a near-future action without the immediate urgency.

is preparing to lay

Focuses on the preparatory actions before the laying.

is ready to lay

Highlights the state of readiness rather than the action itself.

intends to lay

Shifts the focus to intention rather than immediate action.

plans to lay

Similar to 'intends to', but suggests a more concrete plan.

approaches laying

Describes the gradual movement toward the act of laying.

FAQs

How do I use "is about to lay" in a sentence?

Use "is about to lay" to indicate an imminent action of placing or setting something down. For example, "The company "is about to lay" off employees", or "The hen "is about to lay" an egg".

What are some alternatives to "is about to lay"?

You can use alternatives like "is on the verge of laying", "is just about to lay", or "will soon lay" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is about to lie" instead of "is about to lay"?

No, "is about to lie" means someone is about to tell an untruth or recline, while ""is about to lay"" means someone is about to place something down. They have different meanings.

What is the difference between "is about to lay" and "is going to lay"?

"Is about to lay" implies greater immediacy than "is going to lay". The former suggests the action will happen very soon, while the latter simply indicates a future intention.