lay intact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lay intact" is not correct in standard English; the correct phrase is "remain intact." You can use it when describing something that stays whole or undamaged over time or through a process.
Example: "Despite the storm, the old tree remained intact, standing tall in the yard."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The droplets, much larger than the space between the nails, lay intact on top, much like a person lying on a bed of nails.

The New York Times - Science

In the single nest where the experimental (ring-necked dove) egg was rejected, it lay intact below the nest entrance.

Biology Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The most experienced divers say they doubt that bodies lie intact in unexplored compartments of the deteriorating ship.

The New York Times - Science

It is a cause for amazement that skulls of men are dug from the ground where they have lain intact for centuries, long after the softer materials associated with the skull have disintegrated.

The Guardian - Arts

Other Titanic experts — including Robert D. Ballard, a discoverer of the wreck who has long advocated its protection — echo federal officials and call it possible and perhaps likely that human remains lie intact in unexplored compartments.

The New York Times - Science

The stretch into NJ has been reactivated for freight, but the rest of it lies mostly intact, with the requisite station skeletons scattered here and there.

Huffington Post

Pottery, mostly intact, lay all around.

The New York Times - Science

But the Mount Gearheart balloon lay dormant, its explosives intact.

The Guardian

In the centre of Worms, unaccountably intact, lies a large Jewish cemetery.

The Economist

Only one third of the Mary Rose was intact and she lay deeply embedded in mud.

Wikipedia

But Gerstner nixed Akers' plan and kept IBM intact, arguing its strength lay in size and that each part would benefit from being tied to the others.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "remain intact" instead of "lay intact" for grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid confusing "lay", a transitive verb (requires an object), with "lie", an intransitive verb (does not require an object). Instead of saying something "lay intact", say it "remained intact" or "lay undisturbed" if referring to position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay intact" is a verb phrase where "lay" attempts to indicate a state of being or position, and "intact" describes the condition of being whole or undamaged. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "lay intact" might seem intuitive, Ludwig AI indicates that it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct alternative is "remain intact". Though found in news and scientific sources, its usage is rare, and careful consideration should be given to using the grammatically sound alternative. Remember to distinguish "lay" from "lie" to avoid such grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain intact

This is the grammatically correct and most direct alternative to "lay intact".

stay undamaged

Focuses on the lack of damage rather than the state of being whole.

exist untouched

Emphasizes the lack of alteration or influence.

persist unaltered

Highlights the continuation of something in its original state.

survive complete

Suggests overcoming a challenge while remaining whole.

endure unbroken

Focuses on resilience and the absence of fragmentation.

hold together

Implies a cohesive structure that resists separation.

be preserved

Highlights the act of maintaining something in its original condition.

be conserved

Similar to 'be preserved', but often implies a deliberate effort to protect something.

come through unscathed

Emphasizes surviving a potentially damaging situation without harm.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something remained undamaged?

The correct way to say something remained undamaged is to say it "remained intact" or "stayed undamaged". The phrase "lay intact" is not grammatically correct.

Is "lay intact" grammatically correct?

No, "lay intact" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "remain intact".

What does it mean for something to remain intact?

For something to remain intact means that it stays whole, undamaged, and complete, without any parts missing or broken.

What can I say instead of "lay intact"?

You can use phrases like "remain intact", "stay undamaged", or "exist untouched" depending on the specific context.