laid across

USAGE SUMMARY

"laid across" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the act of placing something horizontally over another object or surface. Example: She laid the blanket across the grass, creating a comfortable spot for us to have a picnic.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those ones that are not buttons, but just a thin sheet of plastic laid across buttons for easy cleaning.

TechCrunch

Roads and railways have been laid across the country.

The Guardian

A super-sized depiction was laid across the centre circle.

The Guardian - Sport

Plants sprouted from rugs of fake grass laid across white benches.

The New Yorker

The old piano on the porch had a serrated knife laid across its keys.

The New Yorker

For goals, metal poles were laid across a pair of stacked tires.

The New York Times

Her desk is two file cabinets with a board laid across the top.

The New Yorker

Two groups struggle for control of a fiber-optic cable laid across Africa.

The New York Times - Books

They sat on wood planks laid across the street and listened to the priest's familiar words.

The New York Times

I peered around the dim cellar; there were slabs of pig laid across every table.

The New York Times - Magazine

Two years later a main railroad track had been laid across the former Brychan Cottage land.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the position of an object in relation to another, ensure that the context clearly indicates which object is being "laid across" the other.

Common error

Avoid using "laid across" when the intention is to describe something being placed under another object. "Laid across" always implies a position on top of or over something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laid across" primarily functions as a verb phrase, specifically as the past participle of "lay" used in a passive construction. It describes the result of placing something horizontally over another object or surface. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "laid across" is a grammatically sound and common verb phrase used to describe the action of placing something horizontally over another object. As Ludwig AI explains, it is widely used across various contexts, from formal news reports to academic writing. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse communication needs. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the spatial arrangement of objects where one is positioned over another. Considering using alternatives such as "placed over" or "extended across" to enhance your writing and provide variety when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

placed over

This alternative focuses on the act of placing something, emphasizing the action rather than the resulting position.

positioned atop

This phrase conveys a more formal tone and emphasizes the vertical relationship of the placement.

spread over

This alternative implies a wider distribution or covering of the surface.

extended across

This phrase emphasizes the length or reach of the object being placed.

stretched over

This option suggests that the object was pulled or strained to cover the area.

spanned across

This alternative suggests something bridging or connecting two points.

draped over

This phrase implies a loose or casual placement, often with fabric or flexible materials.

overlaying

A more technical term suggesting one layer covers another.

superimposed on

This suggests placing an image or idea on top of something else.

covering

A general term for something placed on top of something else.

FAQs

How can I use "laid across" in a sentence?

You can use "laid across" to describe something placed horizontally over something else, such as "The bridge was "laid across" the river" or "She "laid across" a blanket on the grass".

What's a synonym for "laid across"?

Alternatives to "laid across" include "placed over", "positioned atop", or "spread over", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "lying across" instead of "laid across"?

"Lying across" describes the act of being in a horizontal position over something. "Laid across" describes the act of placing something horizontally over something else. For example, "She is "lying across" the bed" versus "She "laid across" the blanket on the grass".

Can "laid across" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "laid across" can be used metaphorically to describe abstract things, such as influence or a plan, covering a wide area or affecting many aspects: "A blanket of silence was "laid across" the city".