lay this issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lay this issue" is not correct in standard English; it should be "lay aside this issue" or "lay down this issue." You can use it when you want to suggest putting a topic or concern on hold for the time being.
Example: "During the meeting, we decided to lay this issue aside until we have more information."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

On the other side of the controversy, Catherine Parker said that the MCRC could not have done enough mitigation work to satisfy concerns over the road, and that she was "relieved that we can finally lay this issue to rest and direct our resources elsewhere, namely to improving existing roads".

Wikipedia

Goksan et al. lay this issue to rest by showing that no prior experience of pain is necessary to produce sensory and some emotional responses, but the cognitive aspect of pain emerges later in development.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Japan had been insisting South Korea state its intention to lay the issue to rest this time, since many officials resent what they see as South Korea's use of the "comfort women" issue for domestic political gain despite past steps taken by Tokyo.

Vice

But as an indication of where British, and European, sympathies increasingly lie on this issue, it will be profoundly unsettling for Benjamin Natanyahu, Israel's prime minister.The main opposition Labour Party including its leader, Ed Miliband, who has Israeli relatives and has visited Israel as Labour's leader supported the motion.

The Economist

Wherever the truth lies on this issue, the temporal microstructure of experience looks to be fertile ground for Extensionalist exploration.

SEP

But even the new results are not likely to lay the issue completely to rest.

The New York Times

Yesterday he was hoping the bill would lay the issue to rest.

The Guardian

The American public, though, isn't entirely ready to lay the issue to rest.

Huffington Post

At the centre of this shift lies the issue of Greek studies, which is much more than a curricular option.

SEP

But therein lies the issue: risk.

The Guardian

And therein lies the issue with unpaid internships.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express the idea of resolving an issue, consider using alternatives like "address this problem" or "resolve this matter" for clearer and more grammatically sound communication.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "lay" and "lie". "Lay" requires a direct object (something being laid down), while "lie" means to recline or be in a certain position. The expression should be rephrased to avoid this confusion, using alternatives like "put this issue to rest".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay this issue" functions as a verb phrase intended to express the action of resolving or setting aside a particular matter. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically questionable and potentially incorrect due to the misuse of the verb "lay."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "lay this issue" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It's intended to convey resolving or setting aside a topic, but it is better to use alternatives like "address this problem" or "resolve this matter" for improved clarity and accuracy. The phrase's occurrence is uncommon, and its usage is more frequent in news, media, and scientific contexts. To avoid confusion, writers should be mindful of the proper usage of "lay" and "lie" and opt for clearer alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set this issue aside

Slightly more formal way to express putting the issue aside.

put this aside

Indicates setting the issue aside, often temporarily.

resolve this matter

Focuses on reaching a conclusion or solution to the issue.

settle this question

Emphasizes finding a definitive answer or agreement.

address this problem

Highlights taking action to deal with the issue.

clarify this point

Suggests making the issue more understandable.

examine this concern

Focuses on a careful investigation of the issue.

dismiss this concern

Implies rejecting or disregarding the issue.

shelve this topic

Suggests postponing discussion or action on the issue.

table this item

Similar to shelving, indicating a temporary postponement.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct way to express the idea behind "lay this issue"?

Instead of "lay this issue", consider using phrases like "address this problem", "resolve this matter", or "put this issue to rest".

Is "lay this issue" considered formal or informal language?

While the phrase appears in some sources, it's generally considered incorrect. Therefore, it's best to avoid it in both formal and informal contexts, opting for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives.

What does it mean to "put this issue to rest"?

To "put this issue to rest" means to conclude the discussion or consideration of a particular matter, often implying a final resolution or decision.

How can I avoid confusing "lay" and "lie" in my writing?

Remember that "lay" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object, while "lie" is intransitive and does not. If you are having trouble, consider using a synonym like "place" or "set" instead of "lay", and avoid using "lay" when you mean "lie down" or "be situated".