lying on the road

USAGE SUMMARY

"lying on the road" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to describe an object or person in a prone position on a road. Here is an example: "The cat was lying on the road, soaking up the warm sun on the hot pavement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Several images showed one of the two men, Faizan Haider, lying on the road after he had been shot, a pistol in his hand.

The New York Times

"We ran towards the spot and saw dead bodies lying on the road," he said.

The New York Times

"This boy was just lying on the road, not bothering anyone, when he was shot.

The New York Times

I saw little kids cut in half; there were arms and legs lying on the road.

Independent

Local media captured the images of Paco, lying on the road for several hours.

Independent

He then turned to Mohammad and saw him lying on the road nearby.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

In one town, bodies are still lying on the roads because there is no-one to help bury them.

Independent

One of the paper's stringers spoke to a witness in the city who said that there were "bodies lying on the roads" and "people trapped in homes".

The New York Times

Eventually, the Interior Minister wrote with an order: "Bury the deceased lying on the roads, throw their corpses into brooks, lakes, and rivers, and burn their property left behind on the roads".

The New Yorker

If one of those boys stopped running and lay on the road naked their fans would faint with confusion.

Vice

It is one of the largest cities held by the Islamic State group and lies on the road connecting Baghdad to militant-held Mosul, the country's second-largest city.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "lying on the road", consider the context to ensure the preposition "on" accurately reflects the position and surface. For instance, "lying in the road" might be more appropriate if the road has a significant depression or feature where someone could be lying within its boundaries.

Common error

Avoid using "laying" instead of "lying". "Laying" is a transitive verb that requires an object (e.g., "laying bricks"), while "lying" is intransitive and describes the state of being in a horizontal position. Example: Incorrect: "He was laying on the road." Correct: "He was lying on the road."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lying on the road" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase. It describes the state or position of a subject (person, animal, or object) in relation to a road. This aligns with Ludwig's explanation that the phrase depicts something in a prone position on a road.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lying on the road" is a grammatically sound and relatively common descriptive phrase, frequently appearing in news and media contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes a person or object in a prone position on a road. While the phrase itself is generally neutral, the situations it describes can often be sensitive. When using this phrase, pay attention to the correct use of "lying" (intransitive verb) versus "laying" (transitive verb), and consider the specific nuance you want to convey, as several alternatives such as "prone on the street" or "flat on the roadway" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prone on the street

Replaces "road" with "street", offering a slightly more urban connotation.

flat on the roadway

Replaces "lying" with "flat" to emphasize the posture, and "road" with "roadway".

laying on the pathway

Substitutes "road" with "pathway", suggesting a smaller, less formal route.

collapsed on the street

Implies a sudden fall or loss of consciousness on a street.

recumbent on the highway

Uses "recumbent" for a more formal tone and "highway" to specify a major road.

situated on the asphalt

Replaces "lying" with "situated" indicating placement, and uses a specific road surface material, "asphalt".

prostrate on the avenue

Uses "prostrate" to indicate a face-down position and "avenue" to suggest a wide, urban road.

on the road surface

Focuses on the location without specifying the posture, making it suitable for objects as well as persons.

sprawled across the lane

Suggests a relaxed or careless position obstructing part of the road or lane.

supine on the thoroughfare

Specifies a face-up position ("supine") and uses "thoroughfare", a formal term for a main road.

FAQs

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

You can use "lying on the road" to describe someone or something in a horizontal position on a road. For example, "The injured cyclist was "lying on the road" waiting for help."

What are some alternatives to saying "lying on the road"?

Alternatives include phrases like "prone on the street", "flat on the roadway", or "collapsed on the street", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "laying on the road" instead of "lying on the road"?

No, "laying on the road" is grammatically incorrect. "Laying" requires a direct object, while "lying" is used to describe the state of being in a horizontal position. Therefore, the correct phrase is ""lying on the road"".

What's the difference between "lying on the road" and "lying in the road"?

"Lying on the road" generally means being on the surface of the road. "Lying in the road" implies being within the boundaries of the road, potentially in a depression or specific area of the road. The choice depends on the specific context.