it was laying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was laying" is technically correct and usable in written English, but it may sound awkward or confusing depending on the context.
It is better to use "it was lying" instead, which is the correct verb form for the verb "to lie" (meaning to recline or be in a horizontal position). "To lay" is a different verb (meaning to put or place something in a particular position). Example: Incorrect: The cat had been sick all day, but it was laying on the couch when I got home. Correct: The cat had been sick all day, but it was lying on the couch when I got home. In this example, using "laying" instead of "lying" could create confusion because it implies that the cat was actively putting itself in a horizontal position on the couch.

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Just last week, The Outline announced it was laying off its remaining staff writers and would rely solely on freelancers.

TechCrunch

Earlier this month the company announced it was laying off 15% of its staff and warned its third-quarter sales would be weaker than Wall Street had expected.

BBC

(NYT) MANHATTAN: INTERNET LAYOFFS -- LivePerson, a Silicon Alley company that sells Internet communication technology, said it was laying off 35percentt of its workers.

The New York Times

Earlier today, Zynga announced that it was laying off 18percentt of its global workforce.

TechCrunch

Moreover, Brooklyn-based ConsenSys earlier this month confirmed it was laying off 13percentt of its 1,200-person 1,200-person

TechCrunch

But in January this year, Pandora announced it was laying off 7percentt of its workforce to cut costs.

TechCrunch

In 2015, the company announced it was laying off 25-50 of its 130 employees and was abandoning consumers to pivot to VR.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It was laid out.

The New York Times

"It was laid out in 1626".

The New Yorker

It was laid back and educated and artsy".

The New York Times

"It's about time it was laid to rest".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to active placement of an object, "it was laying" is accurate. Example: The construction crew was laying the foundation for the new building.

Common error

Avoid using "laying" when "lying" is the correct verb. "Laying" requires a direct object (something being laid), while "lying" describes reclining or being in a horizontal position. For example, say "The cat was lying on the rug", not "The cat was laying on the rug".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was laying" functions as a verb phrase within a clause, typically part of a continuous tense construction. It indicates an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. However, it is often used incorrectly, as noted by Ludwig, when referring to a state of being (lying).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was laying" is frequently used but often misused. As Ludwig AI points out, it's technically correct when describing the action of placing something down, but it's often incorrectly substituted for "it was lying" when referring to a reclining position. Given its common presence in various sources like news and media, and encyclopedias, writers should exercise caution to ensure grammatical accuracy and avoid potential confusion. Using the correct verb, whether it's "laying" or "lying", is crucial for clear and precise communication. Although the phrase appears frequently, consider the context carefully and use the more accurate alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was reclining

Replaces "laying" with a more appropriate verb for describing a resting position.

it was positioned

Emphasizes the placement of something.

it was placing

Focuses on the action of putting something down.

it was sitting

Describes an object or person in a seated position.

it was situated

Highlights the location or setting of something.

it was settled

Suggests a state of being at rest or in a final position.

it was sprawled

Indicates a relaxed and spread-out position.

it was deposited

Focuses on the act of leaving something in a specific location.

it was nestling

Suggests being comfortably settled in a protected spot.

it was prostrate

Describes lying face down, often indicating submission or exhaustion.

FAQs

What is the difference between "it was laying" and "it was lying"?

"It was laying" means something was in the process of putting something else down. "It was lying" means something was in a reclining position. To be grammatically correct, ensure the proper verb is used based on whether there's a direct object.

When is it appropriate to use "it was laying"?

Use "it was laying" when describing the act of placing something down. For instance, "The hen was laying eggs" /s/the+hen+was+laying+eggs. In other cases, consider using "it was lying" /s/it+was+lying.

What are some alternatives to "it was laying"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "it was placing", "it was positioning", or "it was putting". If referring to a reclining position, use "it was lying".

Is "it was laying" considered grammatically correct?

While frequently used, "it was laying" is often considered grammatically incorrect when describing a resting position. Ludwig AI highlights the potential for confusion and suggests "it was lying" instead.