lays out

USAGE SUMMARY

"lays out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to specify, explain, or present something in a clear, organized way. For example: "The report lays out the findings of the study in detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Alison Roman lays out her supper strategy.

The New York Times - Food

"The Lisbon Agenda lays out objectives.

The New York Times

"The code lays out the proper conduct".

The New York Times

But the letter lays out a strategy.

The Washington Post

This paper lays out a plan to resolve these problems.

Journal of Magnetic Resonance

(The Baltimore Sun's Tim Smith lays out the ugly details).

The New Yorker

The treaty also lays out rules of arbitration.

The New York Times

Seife lays out a rogues' gallery of more subtle deceptions.

The New York Times - Books

"Who lays out the parameters of what's deemed attractive?

Independent

The approach it lays out has already been tested.

Columbia University

Reardon lays out a bold vision for genomics's potential.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lays out" when you want to emphasize a clear and organized presentation of information, a plan, or a set of rules. It suggests a structured and methodical approach to explanation or description.

Common error

While "lays out" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in very informal or casual writing. In such contexts, simpler alternatives like "explains" or "shows" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lays out" functions as a phrasal verb, combining the verb "lay" with the preposition "out". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's used to describe the action of presenting or arranging something in a clear and organized manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

31%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lays out" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the clear and organized presentation of information or plans. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. Its frequency is very common, especially in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using "lays out", consider its neutral to professional tone and choose it when you want to emphasize structure and clarity in your communication. While perfectly acceptable, simpler alternatives like "explains" or "shows" might be suitable for very informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spells out

This alternative emphasizes clarity and detail in the explanation.

sets forth

This alternative is more formal and suggests a structured presentation of ideas or principles.

outlines

This alternative suggests providing a summary of the main points.

details

This alternative is shorter and focuses on providing specific information.

presents

This alternative is more general and refers to showing or offering something for consideration.

elucidates

This alternative is more formal and suggests making something clear and easy to understand.

describes

This alternative focuses on giving an account of something with words.

explains

This alternative focuses on making something clear and understandable.

presents a plan

This alternative indicates that a project is provided.

shows

This alternative focuses on illustrating or demonstrating something visually or through evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "lays out" in a sentence?

You can use "lays out" to describe how something is presented or explained. For example, "The document "lays out" the steps for completing the project".

What are some alternatives to "lays out"?

Some alternatives to "lays out" include "spells out", "sets forth", "details", or "outlines". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "lays out" formal or informal?

"Lays out" has a neutral to slightly formal tone. It's suitable for most professional and academic writing, but might be too formal for very casual conversation.

What is the difference between "lays out" and "explains"?

"Explains" is a general term for making something understandable. "Lays out" implies a more structured and organized presentation. You might say, "The teacher explains the concept," but "The manual "lays out" the procedures step by step".