lay ground for

USAGE SUMMARY

"lay ground for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to establish a foundation or basis for something. It can be used when describing actions or events that pave the way for future developments or decisions. Example: The new government's economic policies lay the ground for long-term growth and stability in the country.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He acquired knowledge — so much of it, and so greedily — not to " 'better himself,' as the expression goes," but in order to lay ground for his feet to stand upon; in order, that is, to go home, somewhere, and take root.

The New Yorker

We lay ground for our inverse and sensitivity analysis by a basic derivation of the unique solvability of equation (3), using tools from functional analysis and integral equations.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Early experiences of oneself as an individual who belongs, is loved, protected, and meaningfully supported in the face of need seem to lay ground for our perception of cohesion [32].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Consequently, the joint venture is anticipated to lay ground for the set up of a Youth Media Center in Ganja.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This will also lay grounds for obtaining empirical evidence that will enable better control of liposome sizes and for designing drug encapsulation and delivery devices.

Chemistry and Physics of Lipids

Its application, based on macroscopically established evidence and fieldwork records of the changing identity features, could lay grounds for a greater synergy between the pro-identity quests and their operationalisation in development policies and instruments.

Land Use Policy

To illustrate our notation and lay grounds for subsequent formalism involving conformational dynamics of the enzyme, we begin with presenting a classical mass-action framework used to obtain rate-law for an arbitrary reaction scheme.

Plosone

These findings lay grounds for planning intervention strategies that are culture based and in line with local dietary habits.

European Journal of Nutrition

Beyond eliminating tariffs and other import restrictions, the treaty would also lay ground rules for doing business in the hemisphere.

The New York Times

In Section 4, we lay ground work for ROC curves based performance analysis of CS-based detection scheme.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

It would lay the ground for elections.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lay ground for", ensure that the subsequent action or development is clearly linked to the foundation you are establishing. This creates a clear cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "lay ground for" interchangeably with phrases like "set the stage" if the context requires a more literal sense of building a foundation. While similar, the nuance can affect clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay ground for" functions as a preparatory verb phrase, indicating the act of establishing a foundation or basis for something that will follow. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from scientific research to political strategy.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lay ground for" is a phrase used to describe the act of establishing a foundation or preparing for a future event or action. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable. While not as common as some alternatives, such as "set the stage for" or "pave the way for", it is still a valid and useful phrase, particularly in formal contexts. Remember to ensure that the connection between the foundation being laid and the subsequent development is clear in your writing. It can be used across various fields, but most commonly appears in science, news, business, and formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish a basis for

Replaces "lay ground" with "establish a basis", focusing on the foundational aspect.

set the stage for

Uses a theatrical metaphor to convey preparation.

pave the way for

Emphasizes the removal of obstacles for future progress.

prepare the foundation for

More explicit about the foundational aspect of the action.

create the groundwork for

Similar to preparing the foundation, but uses "groundwork".

build a platform for

Highlights the creation of a stable base for something to develop.

provide a springboard for

Suggests an action that enables a quick advancement.

make preparations for

A more general phrase for getting ready for something.

form the basis of

Focuses on the role of the action as an underlying reason or principle.

underpin the development of

Emphasizes support and reinforcement during a development process.

FAQs

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

The phrase "lay ground for" is used to describe actions or events that establish a foundation or basis for future developments. For example: "The research will "lay ground for" new treatments."

What is a good alternative to "lay ground for"?

Alternatives include "establish a basis for", "set the stage for", or "pave the way for", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "lay ground for" formal or informal?

The phrase "lay ground for" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports.

Which is correct, "lay ground for" or "lay the ground for"?

While both phrases are used, "lay the ground for" is more common. However, "lay ground for" is also acceptable and understandable.