not to lay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not to lay" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used when discussing the action of not placing something down or not laying something in a particular manner. Example: "I decided not to lay the book on the wet table, as it might get damaged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that is no reason not to lay down markers.

The New York Times

"My job as health minister is to reduce risks, not to lay down morals.

The Economist

Sir Lawrence’s aim is not to lay out a policy.

The Economist

"So I had to train them not to lay down in my path".

The New York Times - Sports

Some state-owned companies are being ordered not to lay off workers.

The New York Times

Cameron was careful not to lay the blame on any one community.

The Guardian

Barnes said the purpose of the inquest was not to lay blame for Hughes's death.

The Guardian - Sport

Earlier, the government ordered state-owned companies not to lay people off.

The New York Times

He vowed not to lay off state workers or raise taxes.

The New York Times

There he won permission to buy dilapidated cement plants by promising local bureaucrats not to lay off a single worker.

The Economist

It also vowed not to lay off any call center employees who were employed on the date of the merger.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not to lay", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being avoided. For instance, specify "not to lay blame" or "not to lay off workers" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "not to lay" in overly broad contexts without specifying the object. Instead of saying "We decided not to lay", clarify with "We decided "not to lay off workers"" or "not to lay blame" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not to lay" functions primarily as part of an infinitive phrase expressing negation. It indicates the avoidance of an action, often followed by a specific object or context. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not to lay" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction frequently used to express the avoidance of an action. Ludwig AI data indicates its prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and general communication. When employing "not to lay", clarity is crucial; specify the object being avoided to prevent ambiguity. While alternatives like "refrain from placing" exist, "not to lay" remains a straightforward and widely accepted choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrain from laying

Emphasizes the act of holding back or abstaining from the action of laying something.

avoid placing

Focuses on preventing the action of putting something in a specific location.

abstain from putting

Highlights a deliberate decision to not set something down.

desist from setting

Implies a more formal or official refraining from placing something.

choose not to place

Focuses on the active decision to not put something in a specific spot.

opt against positioning

Indicates a preference against putting something in a certain position.

decline to put

Suggests a refusal to place something, often due to a specific reason.

forgo the laying of

Implies a sacrifice or conscious decision to not perform the action of laying.

waive the placement of

Indicates the act of giving up the option to set something down.

shun the act of laying

Emphasizes a strong aversion or avoidance of laying something down.

FAQs

How can I use "not to lay" in a sentence?

You can use "not to lay" to express the avoidance of placing something, such as "The company decided "not to lay off workers"" or "The report aimed not to lay blame".

What are some alternatives to "not to lay"?

Alternatives include "refrain from placing", "avoid setting", or "abstain from laying", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not to lay blame" or "to not lay blame"?

"Not to lay blame" is generally preferred as it maintains a more natural flow. Splitting the infinitive ("to not lay") is grammatically correct but often considered less elegant.

What is the difference between "not to lay blame" and "not to place blame"?

While both phrases are similar, "not to lay blame" often implies a more active avoidance of assigning responsibility, whereas "not to place blame" can simply mean refraining from putting blame somewhere.