lays with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lays with" is not correct in standard written English; the correct form is "lies with." You can use "lies with" to indicate that something is the responsibility or decision of someone or something.
Example: "The final decision lies with the committee."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

If you don't like what you see, then the problem does not lay with 'them', it lays with us.

Huffington Post

Really the responsibility lays with business".

The Guardian

"The full responsibility for violating this assignment and this promise lays with David Cerny".

The New York Times

Secondary responsibility lays with the international sponsors, and poor performance of the transitional power.

The Washington Post

The early popularity of subject matter based on Celtic tradition is attested in the five songs based on Breton lays with which the Cancioneiro da Biblioteca Nacional opens.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With the United States and some smaller countries out already, the decisive vote lays with Russia.So what is Russia up to?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

I laid with him".

The New Yorker

The floor was beaten earth, laid with camel rugs.

The Guardian

The tables were immaculately laid with gourmet food.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The legal groundwork was laid with all of the voting-rights law.

The New York Times

Mr Lay, with his "passion for markets", is the cult's guru.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "lays with" in formal writing. Instead, use "lies with" to indicate responsibility or location.

Common error

The verb "lay" (past tense: laid) means to place something down, while "lie" (past tense: lay) means to recline or be in a certain position. The phrase "lays with" incorrectly uses the transitive verb "lay" when the intransitive verb "lie" is required.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "lays with" (although grammatically incorrect) is to attempt to indicate where responsibility, blame, or authority is situated. This is evident from Ludwig's examples, where it's used to suggest who is accountable for something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "lays with" appears in various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. As pointed out by Ludwig, the correct phrase is "lies with". It's intended to indicate responsibility, authority, or location, predominantly found in news and scientific contexts. Be mindful of the "lay" vs "lie" distinction to avoid this common error. Despite the incorrect usage in some sources, always opt for "lies with" for accurate writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lies with

Uses the correct verb form "lies" to indicate where responsibility or the deciding factor rests.

rests with

Implies that the responsibility or decision ultimately falls upon the specified entity.

is the responsibility of

Clearly states that someone or something is accountable for a particular task or outcome.

is up to

Indicates that someone has the power or authority to make a decision.

is dependent on

Highlights that something relies on a specific factor or entity for its success or existence.

is associated with

Indicates a connection or relationship between two or more things.

is located at

Specifies the physical location or position of something.

is attributed to

Assigns a particular quality, characteristic, or cause to something.

is incumbent upon

Highlights a duty or obligation that someone must fulfill.

is determined by

Indicates that a particular outcome or result is decided by a specific factor.

FAQs

What is the correct form, "lays with" or "lies with"?

The correct form is "lies with". "Lays with" is grammatically incorrect.

When should I use "lies with"?

Use "lies with" to indicate that responsibility, authority, or the deciding factor rests with someone or something.

What are some alternatives to "lies with"?

You can use alternatives like "rests with", "is the responsibility of", or "is up to" depending on the context.

How can I avoid confusing "lay" and "lie"?

Remember that "lay" means to place something, while "lie" means to recline or be in a certain position. When indicating where something rests or belongs, use "lies with".