lay by

USAGE SUMMARY

"lay by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to mean to save money or provisions for future use. For example, "We are trying to lay by some money for a rainy day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Paco and Ria lay by our feet.

The New Yorker

I lay by the pool and swam every day.

The Guardian - Travel

His cane, made of aluminum, lay by his right hand.

The New York Times - Magazine

A loop of red prayer beads lay by the body.

The New York Times

His father's body was stripped where it lay by market rivals.

The Economist

Mr. Nixon took his tea into the living room, where the dog lay by the fire.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Non­fiction lies by omitting what is.

The New York Times - Books

"He commonly sees a dog lying by the wall.

The New York Times

Fiction lies by fabricating what isn't there.

The New York Times - Books

Let it lie by to drain as long as possible.

The Guardian

And it was true – I had been lying by evasion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lay by" when you want to emphasize the act of saving something, often money, for future use or a specific purpose. For example: "They are laying by funds for their children's education."

Common error

Avoid confusing "lay by" (to save) with "lie by" (to be situated near). "Lie" refers to being in a resting position or location. For instance, "The dog lay by the fire" uses "lay" correctly, indicating the dog's position.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lay by" is as a phrasal verb. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, primarily denoting the action of saving or setting aside something for future use, as seen in examples relating to saving money or storing provisions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lay by" is a phrasal verb that signifies setting aside or saving something for future use, commonly money or provisions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and typical usage. While it's grammatically straightforward, it's essential to avoid confusion with "lie by", which has a different meaning related to location. The phrase exhibits a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, and appears frequently in News & Media. To ensure clarity, consider synonyms like "set aside" or "save up" depending on the specific context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set aside

Focuses on the act of reserving or allocating something for a specific purpose or future use.

put aside

Similar to "set aside" but emphasizes the act of moving something out of the way for future use.

save up

Specifically relates to accumulating money over time.

store away

Emphasizes the act of placing something in a safe or designated location for future retrieval.

reserve

Highlights the action of keeping something available for a particular person or purpose.

accumulate

Refers to the gradual gathering or increase of something over time.

build up savings

Specifically refers to incrementally increasing one's savings.

stash away

Implies a hidden or secret act of storing something for later use.

hoard

Suggests collecting and storing a large quantity of something, often excessively.

amass

Emphasizes the accumulation of a large quantity of something, often wealth or possessions.

FAQs

What does "lay by" mean?

The phrasal verb "lay by" means to save something, usually money or provisions, for future use. It implies setting something aside for a later date or a specific need.

How do I use "lay by" in a sentence?

You can use "lay by" in sentences like: "He had managed to lay by money for college", or "We need to lay by some supplies in case of an emergency."

What are some synonyms for "lay by"?

Alternatives to "lay by" include "set aside", "put aside", "save up", or "store away", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "lie by" when I mean "lay by"?

No, "lie by" and "lay by" have different meanings. "Lay by" means to save, while "lie by" means to be situated near something. Using them interchangeably would be incorrect. To avoid the mistake, remember the difference between "lie" (to rest) and "lay" (to put or place something).