lay forth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lay forth" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered incorrect.
It is typically intended to mean "to present" or "to explain," but the more standard expression is "lay out." Example: "In the meeting, she will lay forth her ideas for the new project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

TechCrunch

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We believe we have found an approach for doing so that we lay forth in our new book, "The people centered economy – the new ecosystem for work".

TechCrunch

Following Obama's policy speech, leaders including the ADL's Abraham Foxman and the AJC's David Harris were quick to lay forth their opinions, suggesting that Obama was by no means off the mark with his address.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In "War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning" (2002), Hedges' classic meditation on the perverse pleasure human beings derive from visiting violence upon one another, he wrote, "It took Milosevic four years of hate propaganda and lies, pumped forth daily over the airways from Belgrade, before he got one Serb to cross the border into Bosnia and begin the murderous rampage that triggered the war".

The New York Times - Books

May said her faith as "a practising member of the Church of England and so forth" lay behind what she does.

The Guardian

In many cases, it could be argued people who put themselves on the Celebrity Big Brother pedestal, with their vacuous exchanges shared by millions of viewers, then embark on a real-life soap-opera romance, have their wedding funded by OK! Magazine and so forth, lay themselves wide open to ridicule.

The Guardian

Brass Monkey Cinema Tucked away on Drummond Street, just off "the Bridges" (South bridge, not the Forth), lies student favourite the Brass Monkey (no website, 0131 556 1961).

The Guardian - Travel

Judging by this ad, and the controversy generally, it seems like this election is likely to involve a lot of what we saw this week: two Presidential campaigns constantly swapping accusations of lying back and forth.

The New Yorker

Mr. Travers said that about 10,000 names come in daily through intelligence reports, but that a large percentage are dismissed because they are based on "some combination of circular reporting, poison pens, mistaken identities, lies and so forth".

The New York Times

The city and most of the council area, including the busy port of Leith on the Firth of Forth, lie within the historic county of Midlothian, but the council area also includes an area in the northwest, around South Queensferry, in the historic county of West Lothian.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Below the surface, ready to spew forth, lies: "Do you have a penis?" I am attempting here to set some ground rules for those of you who are not trans – ie those who are cisgender – who, perhaps with innocent intentions, ask these dreaded questions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And the three elephants -- Jan, Bunny and Marie -- rocked themselves back and forth and then lay down on a thin layer of straw for a nap.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "lay forth" in formal writing. Opt for more standard alternatives like "set forth" or "present" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Writers often mistakenly use "lay forth" when they intend to use "lay out", which means to arrange or present something in a clear and organized manner. Ensure you're using the correct phrasal verb to convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay forth" functions as a phrasal verb, intending to express the action of presenting or explaining something. However, Ludwig indicates that this phrase is not grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

TechCrunch

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "lay forth" might seem intuitive, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig suggests using more appropriate alternatives such as "set forth" or "present". Although it appears in some news and media sources, its low frequency and grammatical issues make it a less desirable choice for clear and effective communication. Opt for established phrasal verbs and alternatives to ensure your writing is both accurate and well-received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set forth

This is a more formal and commonly accepted alternative to "lay forth", implying a clear and structured presentation.

present

A general term for introducing something for consideration; less specific than "lay forth".

put forward

Suggests offering an idea or proposal for consideration or discussion.

outline

Focuses on providing a structured overview of the key points.

detail

Implies a comprehensive and thorough explanation of something.

explicate

A formal term for explaining something in detail, often used in academic contexts.

elucidate

To make clear or explain something that is difficult to understand.

unfold

Suggests gradually revealing information or a plan.

articulate

To express clearly and effectively.

delineate

To describe or portray something precisely.

FAQs

What does "lay forth" mean?

The phrase "lay forth" is not standard English and is generally considered incorrect. It is likely intended to mean "to present" or "to explain". Using phrases like "set forth" or "present" is recommended.

What can I say instead of "lay forth"?

More appropriate alternatives to "lay forth" include "set forth", "present", "put forward", or "outline". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "lay forth" grammatically correct?

No, "lay forth" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's advisable to use established alternatives like "set forth" or "present".

How can I use "set forth" in a sentence?

You can use "set forth" to mean to state, explain, or display something. For example: "The document sets forth the terms of the agreement".