laying it aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laying it aside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to temporarily setting something down or putting it away for later consideration or use. Example: "After much deliberation, I decided to focus on my current project by laying it aside for the time being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Kobo is also able to track how far through an ebook readers get before laying it aside, with its list of the year's "most engaging" titles in marked contrast to its bestsellers.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Byron began a story and then laid it aside.

The New Yorker

When shown an extract from the book, she read briefly, then laid it aside.

The New York Times

She began the effort four months before the Sept. 11 attacks, and laid it aside until now.

The New York Times

I don't know if you had any of the football variety in Gallipoli but you should see the mess they make of the Hun's wire, it simply rolls it up and lays it aside".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In any case, it is amazing, sometimes, to hear artists tell you how many years they worked on an idea, how many times they laid it aside, how many versions they made, and tore up—or didn't.

The New Yorker

And so for days, French sat there with her mother, writing, looking, thinking, until her mother became too ill, and she couldn't any more, and laid it aside.

The Guardian - Books

So she laid it aside and wrote the novel which would go on to sell 40m copies around the world, and Go Set a Watchman was apparently only recently rediscovered in a "secure location" by Lee's lawyer Tonja Carter.

The Guardian - Books

He did not grasp earthly authority and overwhelm his enemies with force; he laid it aside.

Huffington Post

Haffner had written it in 1939 in exile in England, and then laid it aside for 60 years.

Huffington Post

Lay it aside when you want to and go about your business.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "laying it aside" to indicate a temporary pause or postponement, implying a return to the task or item at a later time. It's best suited for situations where the intention is to revisit the matter.

Common error

Avoid using "laying it aside" when you mean to permanently abandon or discard something. This phrase implies a temporary pause, not a final end.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laying it aside" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the act of temporarily stopping or postponing an action, task, or consideration. As indicated by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laying it aside" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of temporarily pausing or postponing something, with the expectation of returning to it later. Ludwig confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It's commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and general conversation. While synonyms like "putting it aside" or "setting it aside" exist, it's important to distinguish its temporary nature from permanent abandonment. When in doubt, consider the context and intended meaning to ensure accurate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Putting it aside

A direct synonym, focusing on the act of setting something to the side.

Setting it aside

Similar to 'putting it aside', with a slight emphasis on deliberate placement.

Postponing it

Focuses on delaying an action or decision to a later time.

Deferring it

Suggests a more formal or official postponement.

Shelving it

Implies putting a project or idea on hold, potentially indefinitely.

Holding it back

Focuses on restraining or preventing something from progressing.

Taking a break from it

Emphasizes a temporary cessation for rest or recovery.

Suspending it

Highlights a temporary interruption, often with a formal aspect.

Holding off on it

Suggests delaying a decision or action until a later point.

Leaving it for later

A more casual expression for postponing or delaying something.

FAQs

How can I use "laying it aside" in a sentence?

You can use "laying it aside" to indicate temporarily pausing work on something, for example: "After much deliberation, I decided to focus on my current project by laying it aside for the time being."

What are some alternatives to "laying it aside"?

Alternatives include "putting it aside", "setting it aside", or "postponing it", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "laying it aside"?

Yes, "laying it aside" is a correct and commonly used phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

What's the difference between "laying it aside" and "abandoning it"?

"Laying it aside" implies a temporary pause with the intention of returning to it later, while "abandoning it" suggests a permanent end or giving up on something.