laid down in front of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laid down in front of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been placed or positioned in front of another object or person. Example: "The book was laid down in front of the fireplace, waiting to be picked up later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Tenet said he assumed "that this was something that would be laid down in front of" the White House Counterterrorism Security Group.

The Washington Post

Several brought their bicycles onto the freeway, and some laid down in front of stopped cars with their backs on the pavement.

The Guardian

For four long years, the villagers have squatted on their farmland that was seized by the government, and laid down in front of cement trucks intending to pour concrete over the volcanic rock where pure spring water meets the ocean.

The New York Times

In the middle of another game, a drunk man went and just laid down in front of a goal.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In the fourth quarter, the Nets stopped Pierce by double-teaming him and then laying down in front of him.

The New York Times - Sports

Just as quickly, he was laying down in front of the Knicks' bench, pulling his legs toward his chest in an effort to loosen the tightness in his lower back.

The New York Times - Sports

In Baltimore, protesters blocked streets and staged a "die-in" by laying down in front of police headquarters.

Huffington Post

Lay down in front of the dryer, and look underneath the drum to the belt tensioner and the electric motor that turns the drum.

WikiHow

During a protest on Dec. 3, a group of mostly black students laid down in a "die-in" in front of the steps of Old Main, the university's administrative building.

Huffington Post

"I was laying down right in front of the amplifier.

The Guardian - Music

Dzhokhar laid his down in front of a store and near children who had climbed on a railing for a better view of the race.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "laid down in front of" to describe a deliberate action of placing something in a specific location to achieve a particular purpose, such as blocking movement or presenting an offering.

Common error

Avoid using "laid down in front of" when the placement is accidental or unintentional. Use alternative phrases like "was located in front of" or "happened to be in front of" to convey unintentional positioning.

Linguistic Context

Prepositional Phrase: "Laid down in front of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating location or direction. It denotes the placement of something relative to another object or entity, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laid down in front of" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe the action of placing something in front of another object or person, Ludwig confirms. While moderately common across various contexts, it is most frequently found in news, media, and wiki sources. When writing, ensure the intentionality of the placement is clear to avoid misinterpretations. Consider alternatives like "placed before" or "positioned in front of" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

placed before

Focuses on the act of placing something prior to something else.

set down before

Similar to placed before, but with a sense of gentle or careful placement.

positioned in front of

Emphasizes the deliberate positioning of something.

put before

A more general term for placing something in front.

placed in the path of

Suggests a deliberate placement to obstruct or impede.

positioned in the way of

Similar to "placed in the path of", indicating obstruction.

obstructed by

Focuses on the action of blocking or hindering something.

blocked by

Directly indicates the state of being blocked.

presented before

Implies a formal or ceremonial placement.

displayed before

Highlights the act of showing something publicly.

FAQs

What does "laid down in front of" mean?

The phrase "laid down in front of" describes the action of placing something (literally or figuratively) in a position ahead of or directly before something or someone else. It can imply blocking, offering, or simply positioning.

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

You can use "laid down in front of" to describe a physical placement, as in "The protesters "laid down in front of" the police station". It can also be used figuratively, as in "The proposal was "laid down in front of" the committee for review".

What are some alternatives to "laid down in front of"?

Alternatives include "placed before", "positioned in front of", or "set down before", depending on the context and the desired nuance.

Is "laid down in front of" formal or informal?

"Laid down in front of" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The specific context determines the overall tone.