lying on the flat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lying on the flat" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where you are describing something or someone that is lying on a flat surface, but it is not a common expression. Example: "The cat was lying on the flat surface of the table, enjoying the warmth of the sun."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Kevin, my big brother and I spent many happy hours lying on the flat rocks appreciating not the crashing majesty of the Irish Sea, but instead the interstellar sonic-screwdriver swashbuckling of the Doctor and his companion.

The Guardian - Books

The dog had come out the other door and was lying on the flat stones in front of it, apparently resting after his exercise of wrath.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Wheat, apricots, mulberries and dung lay on the flat roof to dry.

The New York Times - Travel

The city of Madurai lies on the flat and fertile plain of the river Vaigai, which runs in the northwest-southeast direction through the city, dividing it into two almost equal halves.

Wikipedia

Allow the overlapped seams to dry while they lay on the flat surface.

WikiHow

When slicing a baguette, slice it so the outside will lay on the pan flat.

WikiHow

Do this with the wheel lying on a wide, flat surface.

WikiHow

Lie on the floor with your back flat.

WikiHow

Lie on a flat surface with the head elevated 30 to 45 degrees on a pillow.

WikiHow

Lie on a flat surface with the roller perpendicular to your back.

WikiHow

Astley lies on flat land to the northwest of the city of Manchester, and is crossed by the Bridgewater Canal and the A580 "East Lancashire Road".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "lying on the flat", ensure the context clearly indicates a deliberate or specific action of resting on a level surface, as opposed to a general description of a location.

Common error

Avoid using "lying on the flat" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more precise and common alternatives like "resting on a level surface" or "flat on the ground" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lying on the flat" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb of motion or a state of being. It specifies the position or location of someone or something. Ludwig shows that while grammatically sound, the construction is not frequently used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lying on the flat" is a grammatically correct but relatively uncommon prepositional phrase used to describe a position on a level surface. Ludwig's analysis shows it appears in News & Media and Wiki sources, indicating a generally informal register. While understandable, it may be more effective to use alternatives like "flat on the ground" or "resting on the surface" for increased clarity and impact, especially in professional or academic contexts. Despite being grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, its infrequent usage suggests considering alternative phrasing for improved communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resting on the flat

Focuses on the resting aspect while keeping the description of the surface.

flat on the ground

Removes 'lying on the', maintaining the core meaning of a flattened posture directly on the ground.

resting on the level surface

Replaces "lying" with "resting" and "flat" with "level", emphasizing a state of repose on a horizontal plane.

flat on the surface

Broadens the surface description to any flat area, not just a specific 'flat'.

prone on the smooth ground

Substitutes "lying" with "prone" and "flat" with "smooth", highlighting a face-down position on the earth.

reclining on the even plane

Replaces "lying" with "reclining" and "flat" with "even", suggesting a more relaxed or angled position.

level on the ground

Emphasizes the horizontal alignment relative to the ground.

stretched out on the level ground

Replaces "lying" with "stretched out" emphasizing the expansion of the body

horizontal on the ground

Highlights the orientation of the body or object relative to the ground.

laid out on the smooth surface

Replaces "lying" with "laid out" emphasizing the action of putting in a horizontal position

FAQs

What does "lying on the flat" mean?

The phrase "lying on the flat" describes someone or something in a horizontal position on a level surface. It emphasizes both the posture and the evenness of the surface.

What can I say instead of "lying on the flat"?

You can use alternatives like "resting on the surface", "flat on the ground", or "prone on the ground" depending on the context.

Is "lying on the flat" grammatically correct?

Yes, "lying on the flat" is grammatically correct, but it's not a particularly common or idiomatic phrase. More common alternatives might be preferred for clarity and style.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "lying on the flat"?

The phrase "lying on the flat" is most appropriate in descriptive writing where you want to emphasize both the act of lying down and the level nature of the surface. However, in more formal contexts, consider using more common alternatives.