lay claim to

USAGE SUMMARY

'lay claim to' is correct and is used often in written English.
You would use it when you want to assert something as your own or when you want to make a demand. For example, "She laid claim to the title of best baker in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Both ways lay claim to authenticity.

The New York Times

And businesses certainly lay claim to them.

The Guardian - Opinion

They still lay claim to much of the province.

The Economist

Evangelicals, Protestants, and Catholics all lay claim to him.

The New Yorker

Could only white men lay claim to the world's riches?

The New Yorker

America could lay claim to a modern equivalent.

The Economist

Not many New Yorkers can lay claim to that pleasure.

The New York Times

He can lay claim to jump-starting two art movements.

The New York Times - Arts

The First Nations lay claim to most of the province.

The Economist

Ready to lay claim to the next great place?

The New York Times - Travel

Certainly, Mr. Paterson could lay claim to victory this week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lay claim to" when you want to express the act of asserting a right, title, or possession, especially in situations where it might be contested or uncertain. For example, "Several nations lay claim to the disputed territory."

Common error

A common mistake is to confuse "lay", which requires an object, with "lie", which does not. "Lay claim to" always uses "lay" because "claim" is the object. Saying "lie claim to" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay claim to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of asserting a right, title, or ownership over something. It conveys the idea of formally or informally declaring something as one's own. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lay claim to" is a versatile expression used to assert ownership, rights, or entitlement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal tone suitable for various contexts. When writing, remember to use "lay" (not "lie") and consider alternatives like "assert ownership of" or "stake a claim to" for nuanced expression. Ludwig's examples illustrate its widespread application in diverse scenarios, affirming its relevance in contemporary writing. Ensure you use "lay claim to" when expressing the act of asserting a right, title, or possession, especially where it's contested or uncertain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assert ownership of

Emphasizes the act of stating one's ownership, focusing on the declaration.

declare entitlement to

Highlights the declaration of a right or condition of being entitled.

stake a claim to

Implies a formal or official assertion of a right, often in competitive situations.

affirm one's right to

Focuses on the act of confirming or defending a pre-existing right.

profess entitlement to

Emphasizes the act of declaring a right to something, typically with a sense of formality.

take possession of

Emphasizes the physical act of taking control or ownership.

allege ownership of

Suggests that the ownership is being stated without proof.

arrogate to oneself

Suggests taking or claiming something without justification.

vindicate a right to

Highlights that the right is already being proven.

pretend ownership of

Claims ownership without being the legitimate owner.

FAQs

How can I use "lay claim to" in a sentence?

The phrase "lay claim to" is used to assert a right or ownership over something. For instance, "The company can "lay claim to" the invention because it funded the research."

What is an alternative to saying "lay claim to"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "assert ownership of", "declare entitlement to", or "stake a claim to", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "lie claim to" instead of "lay claim to"?

No, "lie claim to" is incorrect. The correct phrase is "lay claim to", where "lay" is a transitive verb that requires an object (in this case, "claim").

What's the difference between "lay claim to" and "take possession of"?

"Lay claim to" refers to asserting a right or entitlement, whereas "take possession of" refers to the physical act of taking control. You can "lay claim to" something without actually taking possession of it.