lying on the mat

USAGE SUMMARY

"lying on the mat" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
For example, "The cat was lying on the mat, basking in the afternoon sun."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

One shot and we're lying on the mat".

The New York Times

Maybe he was tired of lying on the mat where she'd had him.

The New York Times

When a person stands up after lying on the mat, she said, "the back looks picked at, as if with a fork".

The New York Times

"You're asking the guy who's lying on the mat after the sucker punch if he wants to go at it again," Mr. Ellis said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

"When we saw the letter lying on the mat, it was a fat letter, so we knew it wasn't a rejection, and I felt just flooded by the promise of sunshine.

The New Yorker

(For instance, if you notice that your opponent is lying on the mat, and therefore in need of a blow to the head, you are welcome to use your fist or your elbow, but not your foot or your knee).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Scottland lay on the mat, breathing but unresponsive, and was taken to Bellevue Hospital Center.

The New York Times - Sports

For much of the class, he lies on the mat doing the most rigorous yoga he can muster, which is almost nothing at all.

The Washington Post

"I used to just put plastic on a mat and then the mother would lie on the mat in her own house and give birth.

The Guardian

Or your inner dialogue could say, as Jane's did, when she awoke in the middle of the night as usual and lay on the mat, "It was agony.

The New Yorker

The dancers somehow land quietly, but her landing made enough noise that everyone stopped and looked at her as she lay on the mat turning her head slowly from side to side.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lying on the mat" to describe a physical position, a state of relaxation, or a situation of defeat or vulnerability.

Common error

Avoid using "lying on the mat" in contexts where a more active or intentional verb is more appropriate. For example, don't use it when describing someone intentionally positioning something on the mat.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lying on the mat" functions primarily as a descriptive prepositional phrase. It describes a state of being, specifying the position of a subject in relation to a physical object (the mat). Ludwig AI confirms its acceptable usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lying on the mat" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe a state of reclining on a mat. Ludwig examples and alternative suggestions confirm its versatility in conveying relaxation, defeat, or a simple physical position. Primarily found in neutral contexts like News & Media, it avoids being overly formal or casual. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's acceptability in written English, marking it as a useful descriptive element in various communicative scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reclining on the mat

Replaces "lying" with "reclining", suggesting a more relaxed or leisurely posture.

prone on the mat

Uses "prone" to specify a face-down position on the mat.

resting on the mat

Substitutes "lying" with "resting", emphasizing relaxation.

flat on the mat

Highlights the position of being "flat" on the surface.

prostrate on the mat

Implies a state of submission or exhaustion.

lounging on the mat

Suggests a casual and comfortable posture.

sprawled on the mat

Indicates a relaxed or ungraceful spread-out position.

collapsed on the mat

Emphasizes a sudden or forceful fall.

supine on the mat

Specifies lying face upwards.

motionless on the mat

Focuses on the lack of movement while lying down.

FAQs

How can I use "lying on the mat" in a sentence?

You can use "lying on the mat" to describe someone resting, recovering, or defeated. For example, "After the intense workout, she was "lying on the mat", catching her breath."

What are some alternatives to "lying on the mat"?

Alternatives include "reclining on the mat", "resting on the mat", or "prone on the mat", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "lay on the mat" instead of "lying on the mat"?

No, "lay on the mat" is incorrect. "Lying" is the present participle of the verb "to lie", which means to recline. "Lay" is the past tense of "to lie" or the present tense of "to lay", which means to place something down.

What's the difference between "lying on the mat" and "sitting on the mat"?

"Lying on the mat" indicates a reclining position, while "sitting on the mat" implies an upright seated position. The choice depends on the actual posture being described.