laid idle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laid idle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been left unused or inactive for a period of time. Example: "The machinery was laid idle for months due to the lack of funding for repairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

LONDON — When a man has been the best of his kind, and then is laid idle by injury for eight months, the pain of withdrawal becomes cerebral rather than physical.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Concord growers have found themselves without a processor to deliver their grapes to, leading to productive agricultural acreage laying idle," Weigle said.

Cornell University

Sometimes it lays idle, glowing faintly in my gut.

Huffington Post

Today, that torrent is just a trickle while the coffee infrastructure lays idle.

The New York Times

Young children formerly employed by dealers as look-outs are laid off, leaving them idle and in poverty.

The Guardian

But the timing of that submarine build was also crucial for the "500 jobs come what may" promise to be believable, because a later construction would leave the shipyards idle and workers laid off before the new jobs came into play.

The Guardian

While some UC Berkeley scientists were laid off, others "were not idle," SETI spokesperson Karen Randall told ScienceInsider.

Science Magazine

While rivals have laid off thousands of employees, idled dozens of planes and lost billions of dollars since the attacks, Southwest has made money every quarter.

The New York Times

Chevron has shelved drilling in the Canadian Arctic, and Hercules Offshore, a significant driller in the Gulf of Mexico, has idled four rigs and laid off more than 300 workers.

Huffington Post

Much of the yard is idle and 20,000 workers have been laid off over the past two years.

BBC

The Detroit automakers have idled truck plants across North America and laid off tens of thousands of workers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "laid idle", ensure the context clearly indicates why something is not in use. For instance, specify if it's due to economic reasons, damage, or planned maintenance.

Common error

A common error is using "lay" when "lie" is appropriate. "Lay" requires a direct object (e.g., "He laid the book down"), while "lie" does not (e.g., "He lies down"). "Laid" is the past tense of "lay", while "lay" can also be the past tense of "lie". So, ensure correct verb conjugation to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laid idle" functions as a compound verb, indicating a past action where something was made inactive or non-operational. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laid idle" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a state of inactivity caused by external factors or deliberate actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples across varied contexts such as News & Media and Academia. While semantically similar phrases like "left unused" or "remained inactive" exist, the precise choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "laid" (past tense) rather than "lay" (present tense) to maintain grammatical accuracy. The frequency of the phrase is common, suggesting a moderate usage in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

left unused

Focuses on the lack of use, emphasizing that something hasn't been utilized.

remained inactive

Highlights the state of being not active, suggesting a passive condition.

became dormant

Implies a temporary state of inactivity, with the potential for future activation.

rendered inoperative

Suggests that something was actively made unable to function.

put out of service

Indicates that something was deliberately removed from operation.

ceased functioning

Emphasizes the end of an operational state.

deactivated

Highlights the action of turning something off or making it inactive.

mothballed

Specifically refers to storing equipment for potential future use, often implying a long period of inactivity.

placed in storage

Indicates that something has been put away for later use.

stood still

Highlights lack of movement or progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "laid idle" to describe resources, equipment, or even people that are not currently being used or are inactive. For example, "The factory machinery was "laid idle" due to the economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to using "laid idle"?

Some alternatives include "left unused", "remained inactive", or "became dormant", depending on the specific context.

Is "laid idle" grammatically correct?

Yes, "laid idle" is grammatically correct. "Laid" is the past tense of "lay", and "idle" describes the state of being inactive. Therefore, "laid idle" accurately describes something that has been made inactive.

What's the difference between "lay idle" and "laid idle"?

"Lay idle" is the present tense or infinitive form, suggesting a potential action, whereas "laid idle" is the past tense, indicating a completed action. For instance, "The equipment may "lay idle" if funding is not secured," versus "The equipment was "laid idle" last year due to budget cuts".