laying the groundwork for

USAGE SUMMARY

"laying the groundwork for" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to establish a foundation or prepare the necessary steps for something that will happen in the future. Example: The company is laying the groundwork for expansion into international markets by conducting market research and establishing partnerships with local distributors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm laying the groundwork for real honesty.

The New Yorker

Mr Santos is laying the groundwork for possible peace talks.

The Economist

But he is laying the groundwork for such a guarantee.

The New York Times - Tech

At the time, the two countries were already laying the groundwork for the indirect negotiations.

The New Yorker

Christie was campaigning for reëlection and laying the groundwork for a Presidential campaign.

The New Yorker

Truman succeeded, however, in laying the groundwork for the domestic agenda for decades to come.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It saves and improves lives very effectively, laying the groundwork for long-term economic progress".

Independent

But he would lose the opportunity to begin laying the groundwork for Macbeth's self-destruction.

The New York Times - Arts

He is believed to be laying the groundwork for a trusted ally to succeed him.

The New York Times

At the same time, he was laying the groundwork for his reëlection campaign.

The New Yorker

We've been laying the groundwork for the actual building for five years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "laying the groundwork for" with specific actions to provide context, making your writing more precise. Instead of "We are laying the groundwork", say "We are laying the groundwork for a new marketing campaign by conducting market research".

Common error

Avoid using "laying the groundwork for" when referring to immediate or short-term actions. It is best suited for strategies with long-term goals and significant future impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laying the groundwork for" functions as an idiomatic expression that indicates preparatory actions undertaken to facilitate a future event or development. It describes a process of establishing necessary conditions, often involving multiple steps and careful planning. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laying the groundwork for" is a correct and widely used idiomatic phrase that signifies preparing for a future event or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and encyclopedias. The phrase functions to convey strategic preparation and is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for various forms of writing. Related phrases include "preparing the foundation for" and "setting the stage for", offering subtle variations in meaning. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with long-term goals and specific actions to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preparing the foundation for

Focuses on the foundational aspect, emphasizing the creation of a base for future development.

setting the stage for

Implies creating a favorable environment or conditions for something to occur.

paving the way for

Suggests removing obstacles and making it easier for something to proceed.

establishing the basis for

Highlights the creation of a fundamental principle or rationale.

creating a platform for

Emphasizes building a structure or system to support future actions.

formulating a plan for

Involves developing a detailed strategy or approach.

devising a strategy for

Similar to formulating a plan, but may imply a more inventive or resourceful approach.

arranging the preliminaries for

Focuses on setting up the initial steps or preparations.

making preparations for

A general phrase that highlights the act of preparing for a future event.

planning ahead for

Emphasizes the act of thinking and preparing for something in the future.

FAQs

How can I use "laying the groundwork for" in a sentence?

You can use "laying the groundwork for" to describe actions that prepare for future events, such as "The team is "laying the groundwork for" the upcoming conference by securing speakers and venues".

What are some alternatives to "laying the groundwork for"?

Alternatives include "preparing the foundation for", "setting the stage for", or "paving the way for", each with slight differences in connotation.

Is "laying the groundwork for" formal or informal?

"Laying the groundwork for" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "laying the groundwork for" and "laying the foundation for"?

While similar, "laying the groundwork for" often implies a broader range of preparatory activities, whereas "laying the foundation for" specifically suggests creating a base or fundamental structure.