lay hope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lay hope" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "laying hope" or "lay hope on," which can be used when expressing trust or expectation in something or someone. Example: "We are laying hope on the new policy to improve our community's situation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As families finally lay hope aside like a useless weapon, accepting that those missing are gone, communities face an enormous challenge: how to comfort, and raise, all the children who lost a parent -- in some cases their only parent -- in an event of epic dimension.

The New York Times

When she did so, all of the evils, ills, diseases, and burdensome labor that mankind had not known previously, escaped from the jar, but it is said, that at the very bottom of her jar, there lay hope [71].

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Therein lies hope for the Nets that, even without an unstoppable bruiser on the low block, they can win games.

The New York Times

I never thought I'd say it, but roll on a hung parliament, because down that route lies hope.

The Guardian

Japan's big companies, only recently dismissed as the brontosauruses of the global economy, are reinventing themselves to stay competitive, and therein lies hope for the economy.

The New York Times

And therein lies hope for those missing the initial cut.

BBC

Their climactic argument hashes out some heavy stuff honestly and authentically, and it's to Coiro's credit that no one emerges as a villain — and that, however painful, on the other side lies hope.

Los Angeles Times

Herein lies hope of solving the problem of participants not being appropriately informed.

European Journal of Human Genetics

Now, God knows we've all seen movies about struggling, competing, lying, hoping, succeeding or failing.

The New York Times

But in the rubble of the buildings it destroys lie hopes and plans as well as lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Faith, who discovers she is very good at lying, hopes the tree will reveal the truth of her father's murder.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "lay hope", which is not standard English, opt for more common and grammatically correct alternatives such as "place hope", "put hope in", or "pin hopes on" for clearer and more effective communication.

Common error

A common error is using "lay" intransitively when it requires a direct object. Ensure you're not intending to use "lie", which means to recline or be situated, instead of "lay", which means to place something down. For example, use "place hope" instead of "lay hope".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay hope" functions incorrectly as it violates standard English grammar. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct. The verb "lay" requires a direct object, and "hope" in this context does not fulfill that requirement. Correct alternatives include phrases like "place hope" or "put hope in".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lay hope" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in standard written English. As Ludwig AI indicates, more appropriate alternatives such as "place hope", "put hope in", or "pin hopes on" are recommended for expressing the intended meaning of relying or expecting something. While some occurrences can be found in News & Media and Science domains, its rarity and grammatical issues make it unsuitable for formal or professional communication. Opting for correct phrasing ensures clarity and credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

place hope

Substitutes "lay" with "place", indicating a more active and intentional setting of hope on something.

put hope in

Replaces "lay" with "put" and adds "in", suggesting a focused investment of hope.

pin hopes on

Uses the idiom "pin hopes on", indicating a strong reliance or dependence on something.

rest hope on

Employs "rest" to suggest that hope is being supported or based on something.

invest hope in

Uses "invest" to imply a commitment of hope with the expectation of a return.

set store by

Uses the idiom "set store by", meaning to value or place importance on something, implying hope in its success.

harbor hope

Indicates keeping the hope alive

nurture hope

Expresses active care for hope.

cherish hope

Indicates appreciating hope

cling to hope

Suggests holding on to hope

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound way to express "lay hope"?

Instead of "lay hope", consider using phrases such as "place hope", "put hope in", or "pin hopes on" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "lay hope" ever correct in English?

The phrase "lay hope" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. More appropriate alternatives are available for expressing similar ideas.

How can I avoid mistakes when trying to use "lay" in similar phrases?

Remember that "lay" is a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. If you mean to express a state of being or reliance, consider using "lie" or alternatives like "place hope" which avoids the issue.

What are some nuances between "place hope" and "put hope in"?

"Place hope" suggests a deliberate setting of expectations, while "put hope in" implies a more active investment or reliance on something.