laid dormant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laid dormant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been inactive or not in use for a period of time. Example: "The project was laid dormant for several years before it was revived by new leadership."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Huffington Post

Vice

TechCrunch

Forbes

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Still, while the titular Gothamist site started publishing again in April, followed by DCist and LAist in mid-June, Chicagoist has laid dormant.

The New York Times

More alarmingly, the prosecution of Georgiou, which had laid dormant for over a year, was reactivated in March and appears to be headed for trial.

The Washington Post

Yet, for an industry with such well-documented risks – albeit risks that have laid dormant for more than a decade – nuclear energy has enjoyed a great deal of support from the Obama administration.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kindle things and thoughts laid dormant.

TechCrunch

The wow.com domain name has laid dormant since at least 1998, when it was acquired by AOL along with other assets of Compuserve.

TechCrunch

It laid dormant, in the case of Russia, till 1989, in the case of space till probably around 10 years later.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

After laying dormant for over eight years, we feel it's time to bring back the Cycle with new vigour.

The Guardian - Music

Sometimes, a note, a sketch, cross fertilises from one sketchbook to another, to connect across time and space to give birth to a new idea … The seed of an idea laying dormant in an old sketchbook is fed the missing ingredient from a new experience.

The Guardian

Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), but three in five women in this age group did not know this and many failed to see historic sexual activity as a threat with the virus laying dormant and developing into cervical cancer later in life.

The Guardian

Was this demand laying dormant for decades or is something else driving this unabated growth?

Forbes

So what happens when a user downloads an arbitrary executable off the internet, executes it, it lays dormant for 30 days, then phones home?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "laid dormant" when you want to emphasize that something was intentionally put into a state of inactivity, suggesting a potential for future reactivation or use. For example, "The project was laid dormant due to budget constraints, but we plan to revisit it next year".

Common error

Avoid confusing "lay" (to place something down) with "lie" (to recline). "Laid" is the past tense of "lay", meaning you actively placed something into a dormant state, whereas "lay dormant" (incorrect) mixes the verbs and implies something put itself in that condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laid dormant" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a state of inactivity or suspension that has been intentionally imposed. Ludwig AI shows examples where it modifies nouns like "prosecution", "acronym" and even intangible concepts as "thoughts".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Huffington Post

30%

Vice

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "laid dormant" describes something intentionally put into a state of inactivity, implying potential for future revival. While grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI confirms, it's crucial to differentiate it from the incorrect "lay dormant", remembering that "laid" signifies an active placement into dormancy. This phrase appears most often in news and media contexts. For alternatives, consider "remained inactive" or "stayed dormant" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained inactive

Focuses on the state of being not active.

stayed dormant

Highlights the persistence of dormancy.

became inactive

Emphasizes the transition into a state of inactivity.

was inactive

States a simple past condition of inactivity.

rested unused

Implies non-utilization during the period of inactivity.

was suspended

Indicates a temporary cessation of activity.

became latent

Suggests a hidden or concealed potential for activity.

hibernated

Implies a state of dormancy akin to animal hibernation.

became stagnant

Suggests lack of growth or development due to inactivity.

was in abeyance

Indicates temporary suppression or suspension.

FAQs

What does "laid dormant" mean?

"Laid dormant" means something has been put into a state of inactivity or non-use, often with the implication that it could be revived or used again in the future.

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

You can use "laid dormant" to describe projects, ideas, or even abilities that are currently inactive but have the potential to be used later. For instance, "The old skills had "remained inactive" for years, but were quickly refreshed when the need arose."

What's a good alternative to "laid dormant"?

Alternatives include "remained inactive", "stayed dormant", or "became inactive". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "lay dormant" instead of "laid dormant"?

No, "lay dormant" is grammatically incorrect. "Laid" is the past tense of "lay", meaning to place something. "Lie" means to recline or be in a resting position. Therefore, "laid dormant" is correct when something was intentionally put into a state of dormancy.