lay the course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lay the course" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misinterpretation of the phrase "lay the groundwork" or "set the course." Example: "Before we begin the project, we need to lay the groundwork for our strategy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"He's quite amazing," said Ron Laird, the four-time Olympic race walker, who helped lay the course for Ladany in Ohio.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If one side gets too high, lay the next course of bricks tighter on that end.

WikiHow

To prepare the tabs and lay the starter course, shorten the first starter shingle by 6 inches (or about a half of one tab).

WikiHow

Use a trowel to spread a layer of mortar inside the chalk lines on the concrete base, then lay the first course of bricks on it.

WikiHow

Usually, there are required courses that lay the foundation for other courses to be taken at a later stage.

WikiHow

A brochure and map lay out the course, which is a 30-minute walk along the main lawn between the greenhouse and the main Bartlett House.

The New York Times

"In fact, one of its commentary team described the dead horses as they lay on the course as 'obstacles', which was particularly disgusting and callous".

The Guardian - Sport

In rare cases, knot-like vascular structures lay on the course of a centripetal artery, but never on the course of a centrifugal artery.

BMC Veterinary Research

The path we are on is well down the side of a rough hill, beyond the crest of which lies the golf course.

The New York Times - Science

Wood ends by describing how good teaching is of particular importance in introductory biology courses, which not only lay the foundation for more advanced course work for life science majors, but also enroll many students who will not be biologists.

CBE Life Sciences Education

The main purpose of this article is to lay the foundations for the DEE course as an educational platform.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the uncommon phrase "lay the course", opt for more standard expressions such as "set the course" or "chart the course" to ensure clarity and avoid potential confusion among readers.

Common error

A frequent error is using "lay" (to place something down) when "lie" (to recline or be situated) is more appropriate. Remember that "lay" requires a direct object, while "lie" does not. For example, say "The path lies ahead" instead of misusing "lay".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay the course" functions as a verb phrase that aims to describe the action of establishing or preparing a path or direction. However, it's important to note, as Ludwig AI points out, that the standard and more accepted phrasing is "set the course".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "lay the course" might seem intuitively correct, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, the preferred and more widely accepted alternative is "set the course". Although examples can be found across various contexts like news, wiki, and scientific articles, the phrase's non-standard nature and potential for confusion suggest avoiding it in favor of established alternatives. Opting for phrases like "chart the course" or "establish the path" will ensure greater clarity and adherence to standard English grammar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set the course

Implies establishing a specific direction or path to follow, similar to "lay the course" but more commonly used.

chart the course

Suggests carefully planning and mapping out a route or strategy, emphasizing foresight and navigation.

establish the path

Focuses on creating a route or method for achieving a goal, highlighting the creation of a clear and defined way forward.

map out the plan

Highlights the detailed planning and outlining of a strategy or project, emphasizing thorough preparation.

lay the foundation

Emphasizes building a strong base or groundwork for future development, shifting the focus from direction to initial setup.

set the groundwork

Similar to "lay the foundation", this phrase stresses the initial preparation needed for a successful project or endeavor.

define the strategy

Focuses on clearly outlining and establishing a strategic approach, highlighting clarity and purpose.

outline the approach

Suggests providing a summary or overview of the method or strategy to be used, emphasizing clarity and understanding.

formulate the plan

Implies the careful development and creation of a detailed plan, emphasizing the thought process involved.

devise the method

Focuses on creating or inventing a particular way of doing something, highlighting ingenuity and innovation.

FAQs

What does "lay the course" mean?

While not grammatically correct, "lay the course" is likely intended to mean to establish a direction or plan. More appropriate phrases include "set the course" or "chart the course".

Is "lay the course" grammatically correct?

No, "lay the course" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. A more appropriate phrasing would be to "set the course".

What can I say instead of "lay the course"?

You can use alternatives such as "set the course", "chart the course", or "establish the path" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "lay the course" or "set the course"?

Set the course is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Lay the course" is not standard English.