it started to lay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it started to lay" is not correct in standard English; the correct form is "it started to lie." You can use the correct phrase when describing something that began to recline or be in a horizontal position.
Example: "After a long day, it started to lie down on the couch to rest."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Then it started to lay eggs the size of a fist.

The New Yorker

Two weeks ago, Wells Fargo terminated Red Envelope's last credit lifeline, and it started to lay off employees.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is only once a bird reaches some 20 weeks that it starts to lay down fat deposits and develop the marbling and the carcass deposition that will give you the all-important bone marrow that in turn means tasty juices.

Independent

I started to lay it out and just as I was swinging into some specifics of what I would be asking Prince to do, Prince simply stood up and headed out the door behind him.

Huffington Post

I knew the concept was very strong and Usher loved it but I think once Usher started to lay down his vocal ideas we couldn't stop.

The Guardian - Music

Last week the paper started to lay off 90 staff.

The Economist

But more importantly, we have started to lay the foundations for the future.

Independent

The company also bought an Internet service provider and started to lay fiber optic cable.

The New York Times

that had not started to lay eggs.

Biology Open

When the birds started to lay eggs, the pens were equipped with group nests on the floor.

BMC Genomics

This will mean you get a more 3-D style listening experience for the Show if you happen to be watching it using earphones — but it also starts to lay some groundwork for how Snap might eventually take more of these Shows on to other, more immersive screens — namely things like VR and AR headsets.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action of reclining, use "it started to lie down" instead of "it started to lay". For example, "After the performance, the actor started to lie down on the couch to rest."

Common error

Avoid using "lay" when you mean to recline. "Lay" requires a direct object, meaning something is being placed down, while "lie" means to recline or be in a horizontal position. Remember the phrase "chickens lay eggs, people lie down".

Linguistic Context

The phrase is typically intended to describe the commencement of the act of placing or depositing something. However, according to Ludwig, the correct form when describing reclining is "it started to lie".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it started to lay" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English, particularly when referring to the action of reclining. According to Ludwig AI, the correct phrase for reclining is "it started to lie". The examples found show the phrase used in news and scientific contexts, but its infrequency suggests a need for caution. When wanting to convey the act of positioning or depositing, it's better to replace it with alternatives. Remember to use "lie" for reclining and "lay" for placing something down.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it began to deposit

Replaces "lay" with a more general term for depositing something.

it commenced to place

Uses "commenced" as a more formal synonym for "started" and "place" instead of "lay".

it initiated the deposition

Transforms the verb phrase into a noun phrase using "deposition".

it set about positioning

Emphasizes the action of positioning something.

it undertook to situate

Uses "undertook" and "situate" for a more formal tone.

it got down to setting

Employs a more casual and idiomatic expression.

it launched the placement

Replaces "started" with "launched" and "lay" with "placement".

it proceeded to arrange

Uses "proceeded" and "arrange" to convey a sense of order and intention.

it embarked on situating

Emphasizes the beginning of the process of situating.

it inaugurated the setting

Uses "inaugurated" for a more formal and ceremonial tone, with "setting" replacing "lay".

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something began to recline?

The correct phrase is "it started to lie down". The verb "lie" means to recline, whereas "lay" means to place something down.

Can I use "it started to lay" in any context?

While grammatically incorrect for describing something reclining, "it started to lay" might be used metaphorically in creative writing, though such usage would be unconventional.

What can I say instead of "it started to lay" if I mean to recline?

Use phrases like "it began to recline", "it started to rest", or, more simply, "it started to lie down".

How do I avoid confusing "lay" and "lie"?

Remember that "lay" is a transitive verb (it requires an object: "to lay something down"), while "lie" is intransitive (it doesn't take an object: "to lie down"). Think of the common phrase: "chickens lay eggs; people lie down".