lay foundations for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lay foundations for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of preparing for something, such as a plan, system, or structure. For example: "She worked tirelessly to lay foundations for a new business venture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

These men fix leaks, lay foundations for other men's dreams without complaint.

The New Yorker

In the wake of the earthquake, many have talked about the need to lay foundations for a better future.

The New York Times

The future Duncan Carter summarises Simon as someone looking to lay foundations for longer term financial stability.

Independent

Not to mention squeezing in the recording of a Christmas single, written for her by Burt Bacharach, before beginning to lay foundations for a new album.

Independent

Mr Rammell will visit Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to strengthen Anglo-Israeli and Anglo-Palestinian educational links and lay foundations for future collaboration and communication.

The Guardian

They say: "The period following the summit in Paris in December 2015 will be crucial, not just to bridge the gap between aggregate intentions and the goal by 2030, but also to lay foundations for even greater action after 2030".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Some practice bundles lay foundation for the other Lean practice bundles.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

We believe our results lay foundation for future developments of robots mimicking behaviour of leeches.

Biosystems

Our studies lay foundation for further investigation mechanism of interaction between SWCNTs and plant cells in nature environment.

Nanoscale Res Lett

This project should lay foundation for forming unique policy of biobanking development based on interdisciplinary specificity having a wide range of research goals.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

The forward models lay foundation for the reverse ones, and the former models are more convenient in conducting further study on the output signal from the mechanism.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lay foundations for", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being prepared or established. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

A common mistake is using "lie" instead of "lay". Remember that "lay" (laid, laying) takes a direct object (something is being laid), while "lie" (lay, lain, lying) does not. For example, it's correct to say "They lay the foundations for the house", but incorrect to say "They lie the foundations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay foundations for" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of establishing a fundamental basis or groundwork for something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's used to describe the process of preparing for future developments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lay foundations for" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verbal phrase that signifies the act of establishing a basis or groundwork for future development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe the preparation process. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts, making it versatile for various writing styles. Remembering to use "lay" correctly and understanding its implications will enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish a basis for

Focuses on the act of creating a fundamental groundwork, emphasizing the initial steps.

set the stage for

Emphasizes creating the conditions necessary for a particular event or outcome to occur.

prepare the groundwork for

Highlights the preparatory aspect, suggesting careful planning and preliminary actions.

build a platform for

Focuses on creating a supportive structure for future growth or activity.

pave the way for

Suggests removing obstacles and making it easier for something to happen.

create a stepping stone for

Emphasizes a stage or action that facilitates progress toward a larger goal.

form the basis of

Focuses on serving as the core or essential element upon which something else is built.

provide a springboard for

Implies giving momentum or impetus to a future action or development.

underpin the structure of

Highlights the supporting and foundational role in a more formal or complex context.

instigate the origin of

Emphasizes initiating or kickstarting a new development or progress.

FAQs

How can I use "lay foundations for" in a sentence?

You can use "lay foundations for" to describe preparing or establishing the basis for something. For instance, "The government is working to "lay foundations for" a stronger economy".

What are some alternatives to saying "lay foundations for"?

Alternatives include "establish a basis for", "set the stage for", or "prepare the groundwork for", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "laid foundations for" instead of "lay foundations for"?

"Laid foundations for" is the past tense of the phrase and is correct when referring to something that has already happened. "Lay foundations for" is used for present or future actions.

What's the difference between "lay foundations for" and "build a platform for"?

"Lay foundations for" generally implies creating a basic groundwork, while "build a platform for" suggests creating a more structured and supportive environment for growth or activity.