laid down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laid down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been established, set, or put in place, often referring to rules, laws, or principles. Example: "The committee laid down the new guidelines for the project to ensure everyone was on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That laid down a marker.

Independent

The fifth day he laid down varnish.

The New Yorker

He laid down the ground rules.

The New York Times

Mr. Boehner has laid down his markers.

The New York Times

They laid down a few simple guidelines.

The Economist

The scorekeeper laid down his pencil.

The New Yorker

Rivers has already laid down the law.

The New York Times

He laid down a tapestry.

The Guardian - Film

Then he laid down his.

The New Yorker

She laid down her fork.

The Guardian - Books

"Everybody would have laid down".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "laid down" to emphasize the establishment of rules, principles, or physical placement. It's suitable when highlighting the action of setting something firmly in place, whether abstract or concrete.

Common error

Avoid awkward passive voice constructions where the subject performing the laying isn't clear or necessary. For example, instead of "It was laid down that...", prefer "The committee laid down that..." for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "laid down" is as the past tense or past participle of the verb phrase "lay down." It commonly functions as a verb within a sentence to indicate an action of establishing something, either physically or figuratively, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "laid down" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe both physical actions (placing something down) and abstract concepts (establishing rules or principles). Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using "laid down", ensure clarity in both literal and figurative applications. Consider using synonyms like "established" or "set forth" for variety, but note the subtle differences in meaning. Avoid passive voice constructions for clearer writing. With a high source quality score and expert rating, "laid down" is a reliable and effective phrase for many writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

established

Focuses on the act of setting up or founding something, emphasizing its creation or beginning.

set forth

Highlights the presentation or declaration of rules, principles, or ideas.

formulated

Highlights the process of creating or devising a plan, strategy, or rule.

stipulated

Emphasizes the setting of specific requirements or conditions.

relinquished

Emphasizes the act of giving up or surrendering something, like a claim or position.

put down

Similar to "laid down" in a literal sense, but can also imply suppressing something.

determined

Highlights the act of deciding or establishing something firmly and conclusively.

constructed

Focuses on the physical act of building or creating something tangible.

decreed

Implies an official order or command, often from a position of authority.

built

Focuses on the process of assembling or constructing something from different parts.

FAQs

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

You can use "laid down" to describe establishing rules or principles (e.g., "The company laid down new policies.") or physically placing something (e.g., "She laid down her book.").

What can I say instead of "laid down"?

You can use alternatives like "established", "set forth", or "relinquished" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "laid down" or "layed down"?

"Laid down" is the correct past tense and past participle of "lay down". "Layed down" is not a standard English form.

What's the difference between "lay down" and "lie down"?

"Lay down" (transitive) means to place something down, while "lie down" (intransitive) means to recline. For example, "Lay down the book" vs. "I'm going to lie down".