lays vacant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lays vacant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a position, property, or space is unoccupied or not in use. Example: "The old factory has been abandoned for years and now lays vacant, a reminder of the town's industrial past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Across the street, a house lays vacant, board covering the windows, its walls sloping precariously to the right.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There are only 12,000 physicians working in the public sector and more than 2,000 physicians posts laying vacant in the same sector.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

In February the foundations will be laid in the vacant lot.

The New York Times - Arts

At the end, he reads out "The Fall of the House of Usher," and Kaye combines the morbidity of Poe with an apocalyptic vision of the school laid waste — all vacant rooms and dry leaves gusting down the corridors.

The New Yorker

The unidentified man was found laying in a vacant lot in the 3900 block of South Federal Street around 3 a.m.

Huffington Post

(lay, laid, laid, laying).

WikiHow

Earlier this month, 25 full-time and 14 part-time employees were laid off, and money for 10 vacant positions was eliminated from the budget.

The New York Times

The cuts, which will involve both laying off employees and leaving positions vacant, will be made across all departments, including curators.

The New York Times - Arts

First there was the debate over the so-called empty plinth, vacant since Trafalgar Square was laid out in the 1840's and now occupied by modern sculptures that are changed every six months or so.

The New York Times - Travel

The Tyco plant, in Clark, N.J., is already nearly vacant, as 361 workers were laid off in October.

The New York Times

In the South Bronx, they found and laid claim to a city-owned 2.3-acre vacant lot at a busy crossroads.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lays vacant", ensure that the subject performing the action of "laying" is clearly defined and that the intended meaning is to describe a state of being unoccupied or unused. Ensure your verb tenses are consistent within the sentence and paragraph.

Common error

A common mistake is confusing "lays" (transitive verb, requires a direct object) with "lies" (intransitive verb, describes reclining or being in a state of rest). Remember that "lays" needs an object; for example, "He lays the book on the table." In the context of "vacant", it's likely you mean "lies vacant", as in "the land lies vacant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lays vacant" functions as a descriptive phrase. According to Ludwig, it is used to describe something as being in a state of emptiness or lack of occupancy. It acts as a verb phrase combined with an adjective to provide a descriptive detail about the subject.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lays vacant" is used to describe something in a state of being unoccupied or unused. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, although it is relatively rare. The phrase often appears in news and media contexts, used to describe properties or positions that are currently empty. While grammatically sound, care should be taken to ensure the correct verb form is used ( "lies" vs. "lays"), as the intransitive verb "lies" is more commonly appropriate in this context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remains unoccupied

Focuses on the continued state of not being occupied.

is uninhabited

Specifically refers to the absence of residents or inhabitants.

stands empty

Emphasizes the visual aspect of being empty and often refers to buildings or spaces.

remains unused

Highlights the lack of utilization or application.

sits idle

Implies a lack of activity or use, often for machinery or equipment.

remains unfilled

Indicates that something expected to be filled is not.

is deserted

Suggests abandonment and a lack of people.

is dormant

Implies a temporary state of inactivity, with potential for future use.

lies barren

Describes land that is unproductive or empty of vegetation.

is fallow

Refers to land that is plowed and tilled but left unseeded for a season or more.

FAQs

What does "lays vacant" mean?

"Lays vacant" means that something is in a state of being unoccupied or unused. It suggests a passive state where something is not actively being utilized.

When should I use "lays vacant" in a sentence?

Use "lays vacant" when you want to describe a property or space that is currently not being used or occupied. For instance, "The building /s/lies+vacant for years".

What are some alternatives to saying "lays vacant"?

Alternatives include "remains unoccupied", "stands empty", or "is deserted", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "lays vacant" or "lies vacant"?

While "lays vacant" can be grammatically correct if used with a direct object performing the action of laying, it is much more common and often intended to use "lies vacant", where "lies" describes the state of being unoccupied. "Lies" is the intransitive verb that correctly describes something being in a resting, vacant state.