laid between

USAGE SUMMARY

"laid between" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that something is in the middle of two things, such as in the example sentence "The path was laid between two rows of trees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

An ultra-thin coat of polymer is laid between two arrays of electrodes at right angles to each other.

The Economist

Behold: tomatoes, eggs, ham, mayonnaise, cheese and assorted other comestibles, which can be laid between two pieces of bread in various tasty groupings to form the Lunchtime Sandwich".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

More than 1,000 families were evicted from their homes for the Manhattan anchorage, and in 1908 one of the initial cables laid between the towers broke loose from the Brooklyn anchorage.

The New York Times

It was held on a planking laid between the rails of a straight 3 mile stretch of Long Island Railroad track between Maywood and Babylon, L.I. and the rider was paced by a L.I. locomotive.

The New Yorker

State electricity officials allowed the plants to be shut after new electrical cables were laid between the city and large PG&E substations in the East Bay and San Mateo County.

The New York Times

This is Holt on the subject of napkins: "On the plate is placed a large white dinner napkin, folded and ironed square, with the monogram corner showing, and with a dinner roll or a square of bread laid between the folds".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

It lays between static and dynamic partitioning scheme.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Wherever the line lays between expressing yourself as a parent and expressing something on behalf of your children, I had crossed it.

Huffington Post

It lays between two and five eggs at a time and typically only raises one brood a year, though some birds in California have been observed raising two or even three broods a year.

Wikipedia

Significantly, this property also lays between the high resistance of Brucella envelopes and the sensitivity of enterobacterial envelopes to bactericidal cationic peptides [18].

Plosone

Therefore, the real part of the gold permittivity lays between −42 and −24.

Biomedical Optics Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "laid between", ensure that the context clearly defines the two elements that are bounding or surrounding the subject. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "laid between" in overly abstract or metaphorical senses where a more direct or descriptive phrase would be clearer. It's best suited for tangible, spatial relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laid between" functions primarily as a spatial descriptor, indicating the position of something in relation to two other defined entities. It describes the location of an object or concept as being situated in the space that separates two other things, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

42%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laid between" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something positioned in the space separating two other entities. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is acceptable for use in written English. It's found most frequently in scientific and news contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal writing. While versatile, writers should ensure clarity by defining the bounding elements and avoiding overuse in abstract scenarios. Alternatives such as "positioned amidst" or "situated among" can offer nuanced variations, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

positioned amidst

Focuses on the spatial arrangement with a slightly more formal tone.

situated among

Emphasizes location within a group or set of items.

placed in the middle of

A more explicit and less idiomatic way of expressing the same concept.

sandwiched between

Suggests a tighter, more compressed positioning.

interposed between

Indicates something inserted or placed to intervene.

located centrally within

Highlights a central location within a defined area.

embedded within

Suggests being enclosed or surrounded.

nested between

Implies a secure or sheltered position.

spanning across

Focuses on extending from one point to another.

distributed amongst

Implies spreading or scattering within a group.

FAQs

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

Use "laid between" to indicate something positioned or placed in the middle of two defined objects or points. For example, "The cable was laid between the two buildings."

What are some alternatives to "laid between"?

Alternatives include "positioned amidst", "situated among", or "placed in the middle of", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "laid between" and "placed between"?

"Laid between" typically suggests a more deliberate or constructed positioning, while "placed between" is a more general term for positioning something between two points. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "laid between" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when describing spatial relationships or arrangements. Ensure the context is clear and the meaning is precise. It is not suited for metaphorical or abstract contexts.