lie prone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lie prone" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to lie flat on your stomach, and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. For example: "She lay prone on the floor, trying to calm her breathing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Certainly, a man could not lie prone on its floor.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Two lie prone; the third kneels back on her delicate feet.

The New York Times

Behind the engineers' seats is an emergency area in which they can lie prone in case of collision.

The New York Times

Swimmers, unlike runners, lie prone, in buoyant water and hold their breaths, all of which could affect cardiac demands and how the heart responds and remakes itself.

The New York Times - Health

She won't lie prone, either she'll only pun in order to protect the guilty, which is, we soon realize, MacMaster himself.

The New Yorker

"You'll know that it's axiomatic that Arabs are unreliable and prone to lie (if not to lie prone), so, if you buy that whole reasoning and why not?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

A sleeping subject lies prone and motionless on a bed.

University of California, Berkeley

Quite literally, as he lies prone on the grass.

The Guardian - Sport

Monica lay prone and exhausted on a battered sofa.

The Guardian

Sylvain Marveaux lay prone in the penalty area with cramp.

Independent

Her mother, San Thar Myint, found her lying prone on the ground, bleeding and in shock.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a medical or tactical situation, "lie prone" is a precise and appropriate term. However, for more casual writing, consider alternatives like "lie face down" or "rest on one's stomach" for better readability.

Common error

Avoid using "prostrate" when you mean "prone". "Prostrate" suggests submission or reverence, while "prone" simply describes a face-down position. For example, say "He lay prone on the beach", not "He lay prostrate on the beach" unless he's showing extreme deference to the sand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lie prone" functions primarily as a verb phrase describing a specific body position. It indicates the act of positioning oneself in a face-down posture. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lie prone" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the act of positioning oneself face down. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread applicability. While it is generally considered neutral in register, leaning slightly towards formal, it appears most commonly in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When writing, ensure to differentiate "prone" from "prostrate" to avoid misrepresenting the intended meaning. Consider alternatives like "recline face down" or "rest on one's stomach" for a more casual tone. Ultimately, "lie prone" serves as a clear and concise way to describe a specific body position.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lay face down

Uses "lay" instead of "lie", focusing on the action of placing oneself in that position.

lie face downwards

Replaces "prone" with a more descriptive term, emphasizing the direction.

recline face down

Replaces "lie" with "recline" and specifies the direction, suggesting a more relaxed positioning.

be in a prone position

Focuses on the state of being in the specified position, rather than the action of getting there.

assume a prone position

More formal and technical, suitable for medical or military contexts.

rest on one's stomach

Describes the position by specifying the part of the body making contact with the surface.

go prone

A more action-oriented term, suggesting quickly assuming the position, often in a tactical context.

stretch out face down

Suggests a more extended or relaxed posture than simply "lie prone".

fall flat

Implies a sudden or unintentional movement into a face-down position.

be supine

Describes the opposite position, lying face up. Use this phrase as a reference point to indicate what isn't "lie prone".

FAQs

How can I use "lie prone" in a sentence?

The phrase "lie prone" describes the act of positioning oneself face down. For example, "The doctor asked the patient to lie prone on the examination table" or "Soldiers often lie prone to reduce their profile during combat".

What's the difference between "lie prone" and "lay prone"?

"Lie" is the intransitive verb (to recline), while "lay" is the transitive verb (to place something). Therefore, the correct phrase is "lie prone", indicating someone is reclining in a face-down position. Using "lay prone" is grammatically incorrect.

What are some alternatives to "lie prone"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "recline face down", "lay face down", or "rest on one's stomach".

Is "lie prone" formal or informal?

The phrase "lie prone" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is appropriate for medical, military, and descriptive contexts, but may sound overly technical in casual conversation. Use context clues to choose a proper level of formality.