over his lap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over his lap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a position where something is placed or resting on someone's lap, often in a physical or metaphorical context. Example: "The child sat comfortably over his lap while they read the story together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

After the first few tentative kisses, she crossed a leg over his lap and straddled him.

The New Yorker

He put his coat over his lap before grabbing women's legs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bryant sat for most of the fourth quarter, a towel over his lap and his chin in his hand.

The New Yorker

With impeccably clean hands, he straightens his Rag & Bone shawl-collar cardigan and unfolds a crisp napkin, which he places over his lap.

The New York Times

"My wives ask me, 'What is to become of us?"' Hassan said one afternoon as his two infant sons crawled over his lap.

The New York Times - Magazine

The brother who put high school boys over his lap and spanked them for failing one of his ridiculously difficult math tests.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

By the time the breaststroke laps were over, his lead over Lochte had dwindled to two-hundredths of a second.

The New York Times - Sports

He gets in trouble with gangsters and someone dies on his flight over – literally on his lap!

The Guardian - Film

Not long after, the officers found him dead, bloodied with his head hunched over in his lap.

Huffington Post

She came over and sat on his lap.

Vice

One of his daughters came over and climbed into his lap and his gentleness with her eased our increasing apprehensions.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "over his lap" in creative writing, consider the connotations. It may suggest intimacy, vulnerability, or even dominance depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "over his lap" when "on his lap" or "across his lap" more accurately describes the spatial arrangement. "Over" implies a covering, while "on" simply indicates position. "Across" denotes something extending from one side to another.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over his lap" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating location or spatial relationship. It clarifies where something is situated in relation to a person's lap, whether covering it or simply resting upon it. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The prepositional phrase "over his lap" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something positioned across or covering someone's lap. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples across various reputable sources. While alternatives like "on his lap" or "across his lap" exist, "over" specifically suggests a covering aspect. Primarily found in news and media, the phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for diverse writing contexts. Remember to use "over his lap" when emphasizing the covering or draping of an object, and ensure it aligns with the intended spatial relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

across his lap

Uses a different preposition to describe a similar placement, emphasizing the span or width covered.

on his lap

Offers a more direct and simple alternative, focusing on the surface where something rests.

resting on his lap

Emphasizes the act of something being placed or supported on the lap.

draped over his lap

Specifies that something is loosely arranged or hung over the lap.

covering his lap

Highlights that something is spread out so as to conceal the lap.

spanning his lap

Describes something extending from one side of his lap to the other.

placed upon his lap

A more formal way of saying something was put on his lap.

laid across his lap

Similar to 'across his lap' but implies a more deliberate action of placing.

extending over his lap

Indicates that something is stretching or reaching beyond the lap.

spread over his lap

Suggests that something has been distributed widely across the lap.

FAQs

How can I use "over his lap" in a sentence?

You can use "over his lap" to describe the position of an object or person in relation to someone's lap. For example, "He placed a blanket "over his lap" to stay warm".

What are some alternatives to "over his lap"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives such as "on his lap", "across his lap", or "resting on his lap".

Is it correct to say "on his lap" instead of "over his lap"?

Both "on his lap" and "over his lap" can be correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "On his lap" simply indicates the position, while "over his lap" suggests that something is covering or draped across the lap.

What does "over his lap" imply about the object's position?

"Over his lap" implies that the object is positioned so that it covers a portion or the entirety of the lap, possibly hanging or spreading across it.