lay the groundwork

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'lay the groundwork' is correct and perfectly usable in written English.
It is generally used to mean 'prepare the necessary foundations for something'. For example: "We need to lay the groundwork for our new project, so let's brainstorm some ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You have to lay the groundwork.

The New York Times

New York intends to lay the groundwork for seven casinos.

The New York Times - Sports

It could lay the groundwork for real and lasting prosperity.

The New York Times

| Defense officials lay the groundwork for a cybersecurity bill.

The New York Times

Deprived childhoods lay the groundwork for future social ills.

The New York Times

Beta-amyloid is thought to lay the groundwork for dementia.

The New Yorker

You'll need to lay the groundwork from day one.

The Guardian

That's what good family programming can lay the groundwork for".

The New York Times - Arts

You lay the groundwork, and you always hope you'll fly.

The New York Times

But first we have to lay the groundwork".

The New York Times

A more complex task is to lay the groundwork for a much simpler constitution.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lay the groundwork", ensure that the subsequent action or goal is clearly defined to provide context for the preparatory efforts. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the significance of the "groundwork". Ensure the scale of the preparation aligns with the eventual outcome. Overstating can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay the groundwork" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It signifies the action of preparing a foundation or making preliminary arrangements for a future activity or project. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lay the groundwork" is a common and correct idiomatic phrase used to describe the action of preparing a foundation for future activities. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage, and it appears frequently in news, science, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "prepare the foundations" or "set the stage" exist, "lay the groundwork" maintains a versatile and widely accepted presence in English writing. Be mindful of not overstating the importance of the preparatory work, and ensure your subsequent actions or goals align with the scale of preparations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prepare the foundations

Focuses on the act of preparing, emphasizing the foundational aspect.

establish the basis

Highlights establishing a fundamental principle or reason.

set the stage

Emphasizes creating a suitable environment or context.

pave the way

Suggests removing obstacles and creating a clear path forward.

build the foundation

Similar to laying the groundwork but emphasizes the construction aspect.

create a basis

Focuses on the act of creation and establishing something fundamental.

form the basis

Highlights the act of forming or constituting a fundamental element.

develop the infrastructure

Highlights creating supporting systems and resources.

make preparations

Emphasizes the act of getting ready and making arrangements.

set up the infrastructure

Emphasizes the practical setting up of foundational elements.

FAQs

How can I use "lay the groundwork" in a sentence?

You can use "lay the groundwork" to describe preparing for a future event or project. For example, "We need to lay the groundwork for the marketing campaign before launching the product".

What are some alternatives to "lay the groundwork"?

You can use alternatives like "prepare the foundations", "establish the basis", or "set the stage" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "lay the groundwork" in formal writing?

Yes, "lay the groundwork" is appropriate for formal writing as it is a widely understood and grammatically correct idiom. It can be used in business, academic, or news contexts.

What is the difference between "lay the groundwork" and "lay the foundation"?

While similar, "lay the groundwork" often implies a broader range of preparatory actions, whereas "lay the foundation" typically refers to establishing a more concrete, fundamental base.