so as to lay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so as to lay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the purpose of an action, specifically when the intention is to place or set something down. Example: "He adjusted the table height so as to lay the books flat on the surface."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The book also contains a helpful description of the best ways to disseminate gases so as "to lay waste to a metropolitan area".

The New York Times

This research provide the scientific data for the study on the computer-assisted method for smoke exhausting system design, so as to lay the foundation of further development and application on the new digital design method.

Procedia Engineering

Is it possible that Nisman killed himself and made it look like a murder so as to lay the blame at the feet of a government he had come to despise?

The New Yorker

In an embarrassing about-face, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto also began the process of amending the nation's controversial austerity law so as to lay the groundwork for the tax cuts, worth about $35 billion.

The New York Times

It can realize the non-contact extraction of human physiological feature signals, so as to lay a foundation for further extracting of the physiological feature parameters.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The smartphone was fixed to the pipe-shaped frame so as to lay to the left and right rear wheels of the stroller using fixing equipment manufactured by National Products, Inc.: RAM MOUNTS X-Grip Holder.

ROBOMECH Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Part of the design of a good forging is to assure that the flow lines in the finished part are oriented so as to lie in the direction of maximum stress when the part is placed in service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The direction in which most planets rotate on their axes also mimics that of the Sun's spin (again counterclockwise); the two exceptions are Venus, which spins oppositely (retrograde), and Uranus, whose poles are tipped over so as to lie in the plane of its own orbit.

Harvard University

The catheter was advanced 40-50 cm so as to lie in the dorsal aorta.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

We adjusted the STC and HYD values of primates so as to lie on the regression lines (blue lines) for many other placentals.

Genome Biology and Evolution

We adjusted the STC values of the primates so as to lie on the regression line for other placentals in figure 3 A and also the MLS values of them so as to lie on the regression line for other placentals in figure 3 B.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so as to lay" when you want to clearly express the purpose or intention behind an action, specifically related to placing something. For instance, "He cleared the table so as to lay out the blueprints."

Common error

Avoid using "so as to lay" in informal contexts. It's better suited for formal writing or situations where a clear and somewhat elevated tone is appropriate. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "to" or "in order to" are often more fitting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so as to lay" functions as a purpose clause connector, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used to express a specific aim or objective. Examples show it introducing actions designed to establish a foundation or prepare for a subsequent step.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "so as to lay" functions as a purpose connector, predominantly used in formal contexts to articulate a specific intention behind an action, such as laying a foundation or preparing for a future task. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and most frequently found in scientific, news, and academic writing. When considering alternatives, options like "in order to lay" or "to lay in order to" can be suitable substitutes, depending on the desired level of formality. While the phrase is valid, it's best reserved for situations where a formal tone is appropriate, avoiding its use in casual conversation where simpler alternatives may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to lay

This alternative replaces "so as" with "in order", maintaining the core meaning of purpose.

to lay in order to

Changes the order of the words to put the verb at the beginning of the phrase.

with the intention of laying

Specifies the intention more explicitly, adding emphasis.

for the purpose of laying

Replaces "so as to" with "for the purpose of", making the intention more formal.

intending to lay

Shortens the phrase while clearly indicating intent.

aiming to lay

Implies a specific goal or objective.

in an effort to lay

Highlights the effort being made.

with a view to laying

Offers a more formal and somewhat archaic tone.

to set down

Provides a shorter version using the phrasal verb "set down".

to place in order to

Rephrases "lay" as "place" maintaining intention.

FAQs

How can I use "so as to lay" in a sentence?

Use "so as to lay" to indicate the purpose of an action, especially one that involves placing or setting something down. For example: "The committee reviewed the data carefully "so as to lay" the groundwork for future policy changes."

What are some alternatives to "so as to lay"?

You can use alternatives such as "in order to lay", "to lay in order to", or "for the purpose of laying", depending on the desired level of formality. For simpler phrasing, consider "to place" or "to set down".

Is "so as to lay" formal or informal?

"So as to lay" is generally considered a formal phrase. Simpler alternatives like "in order to" or just "to" might be more appropriate for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "so as to lay" and "in order to lay"?

While both phrases express purpose, "so as to lay" has a slightly more formal tone than "in order to lay". The choice between them depends on the context and the desired level of formality.