it lies with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it lies with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate responsibility or ownership of a particular situation or decision. Example: "The final decision on the project lies with the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

If there is an issue with Clemson, as far as being a national championship contender, it lies with its secondary, which gave Georgia receivers too much room and allowed Gurley to fly 75 yards untouched for a touchdown in the first quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

It lies with Congress.

The New Yorker

Now it lies with the rubble.

The Economist

No, it lies with the cabinet.

The Guardian - Opinion

By law it lies with local and state governments.

The Economist

The responsibility for it lies with elsewhere in the chain.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Partly, perhaps, it lay with the status traditionally accorded the intelligentsia.

The New York Times

When we spoke, he stressed that it lay with Rahimi, not the Americans, to investigate complaints and make arrests.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, speaking to reporters elsewhere Wednesday, said that the Board of Elections was "not well run," but that the power to fix it lay with Albany, not the city.

The New York Times

The explosion blasted the roof off the car and catapulted the bomber's torso onto the sidewalk, where it lay with one remaining arm outstretched.

The New York Times

Asked to describe his greatest mistake while at Paramount, Mr. Grey at first deflected the question, then said that it lay with his hiring decisions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it lies with" to clearly indicate who or what holds the responsibility or power in a particular situation. This phrase is effective in formal writing and discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "lays with" instead of "lies with." "Lays" requires a direct object (e.g., "she lays the book down"), while "lies" (meaning to be located or be the responsibility of) does not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it lies with" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically identifies where responsibility, power, or blame is located. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it lies with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate where responsibility, blame, or power is located. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "it rests with" or "it is up to" exist, "it lies with" provides a clear and direct way to assign accountability or specify the locus of control. It is crucial to avoid the common error of confusing it with "it lays with", ensuring correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it rests with

Replaces "lies" with "rests", maintaining the sense of responsibility or decision-making authority.

it is up to

Shifts from location to obligation or decision-making power.

the responsibility lies with

More formal, explicitly stating responsibility.

it is dependent on

Emphasizes reliance on something or someone.

it hinges on

Highlights the crucial importance of something for a particular outcome.

it is the responsibility of

Similar to "the responsibility lies with" but uses a different structure.

it is incumbent upon

A more formal and stronger way of saying someone has a duty.

it falls upon

Indicates that a task or duty has been assigned to someone.

it is located in

Shifts the meaning to physical location rather than responsibility.

it resides in

A more formal way to indicate where something is located or where power is held.

FAQs

How can I use "it lies with" in a sentence?

Use "it lies with" to indicate where responsibility, blame, or power resides. For example, "The decision "it lies with" the manager."

What are some alternatives to "it lies with"?

You can use alternatives like "it rests with", "it is up to", or "the responsibility lies with" depending on the context.

Is "it lays with" grammatically correct?

No, "it lays with" is incorrect. The correct phrase is ""it lies with"", where "lies" means to be located or to be the responsibility of.

What is the difference between "it lies with" and "it is up to"?

"It lies with" emphasizes where the responsibility or power is located. "It is up to" focuses on who has the authority to make a decision or take action.