lay a visit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lay a visit" is not correct in standard English; the correct expression is "pay a visit." You can use "pay a visit" when you want to indicate that you are going to see someone or something, typically for a short time.
Example: "I plan to pay a visit to my grandmother this weekend."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Odd, then, that the nearest modern France has come to a saint was a man fuelled and driven by unceasing anger: anger that the poor should suffer and that the rich did not care.For any man in authority, clerical or lay, a visit from Abbé Pierre was an unsettling experience.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Chinese premier said the two countries will reach a "consensus on some major aspects to lay a foundation for the visit".

BBC

During the visit, he refused to visit and lay a wreath at Japan's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier commemorating soldiers lost during World War II, remarking that the Japanese "imperialists" had "killed millions of Asians".

Wikipedia

Behind each door lay a different surprise as we visited classes that ranged from kids practicing their taekwondo fly kicks  to playing accordions with fervour, to creating incredibly detailed tapestry masterpieces.

BBC

A menacing challenge lies ahead: a visit from the annihilating restaurant critic Anton Ego (Peter O'Toole).

The New Yorker

The genesis of the pink bats appears to lie in a visit that John Hillerich IV, Hillerich & Bradsby's chief executive, made to a subsidiary in Canada that produced pink hockey sticks for a National Hockey League breast cancer awareness campaign, Redman said.

The New York Times - Sports

"That was probably their most immediate issue yesterday, to actually visit the site and lay a wreath and say their goodbyes," Barnett told reporters in Perth on Friday.

The Guardian

In recent weeks, the U.S. has been in crisis, a public relations crisis, which crystallized around the President's visit to Bitburg, to lay a wreath at the graves of German soldiers who died in WWII.

The New Yorker

After having breakfast with the families of fallen soldiers on Monday, the president will visit Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and give remarks.

The New York Times

Comedian and actor Billy Connolly, who grew up in the city, visited the scene to lay a bouquet of flowers and spoke of his devastation at what happened at the pub he used to frequent.

Independent

Beyond Bragança lie a spray of villages worth visiting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "pay a visit" instead of "lay a visit". The latter is not considered grammatically correct in standard English.

Common error

Avoid using "lay" in place of "pay" when referring to making a visit. "Lay" implies placing something down, while "pay" is the correct verb to use in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay a visit" functions as a verb phrase, but it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the standard and correct form is "pay a visit". The intended function is to describe the act of visiting someone or something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lay a visit" is considered grammatically incorrect. The correct and widely accepted phrase is "pay a visit". While examples of "lay a visit" exist, they are not standard English and should be avoided. Ludwig AI highlights the correct usage and offers alternative phrases like "make a visit" or "drop by" for different contexts. Using the correct phrase will ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pay a visit

This is the correct and standard alternative with identical meaning.

make a visit

This alternative replaces "pay" with "make", offering a more neutral tone while retaining the core meaning of conducting a visit.

drop in for a visit

Adds a sense of informality and spontaneity to the act of visiting, implying a casual, brief visit.

call on someone

This phrase suggests a formal or traditional visit, often for a specific purpose or social obligation.

go to see

A simple and direct alternative that emphasizes the action of going to meet someone or view something.

stop by

Indicates a brief and casual visit, often without prior arrangement.

look in on

This phrase suggests a visit to check on someone's well-being or progress.

attend a visit

Focuses on being present at a pre-arranged visit or meeting.

grace with a visit

This phrase has a facetious overtone. Is more appropriate for poetry and extremely rare outside of it.

give someone a visit

Emphasizes the act of offering a visit to someone, though less common in formal writing.

FAQs

What is the correct phrase, "lay a visit" or "pay a visit"?

The correct phrase is "pay a visit". "Lay a visit" is not considered grammatically correct.

What does "pay a visit" mean?

"Pay a visit" means to go and see someone or something, usually for a short period of time. It's a common way to describe visiting someone.

Are there alternatives to "pay a visit"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "make a visit", "drop by", or "call on someone" depending on the context.

When should I use "pay a visit" in a sentence?

Use "pay a visit" when you want to express that you are going to see someone or something, often implying a brief or formal visit. For example, "I plan to pay a visit to my grandmother this weekend".