that lies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that lies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the location or position of something, often in a metaphorical or abstract sense. Example: "The truth is often hidden in the details that lies beneath the surface."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Beyond that lies orthodoxy.

The New York Times - Arts

That lies to me and herself.

The New York Times - Magazine

Parnell understands the work that lies ahead.

The New York Times - Sports

That lies in our own hands.

The Economist

Beyond that lies a wider issue.

The Economist

But all that lies ahead.

The Guardian

Partly that lies in their superhuman precision.

The Guardian - Arts

And in that lies the great difference.

The Guardian - Arts

That's the ugliness that lies ahead.

The New York Times

Beyond that lies only the author's hope.

The New York Times

There's something that lies on the floor by the entrance.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that lies" to describe a future event or situation, ensure the context clearly indicates the anticipation or inevitability of the event. For example, "the challenge that lies ahead".

Common error

Avoid using "that lies" in unnecessarily passive constructions. Instead of saying "a decision that lies to be made", opt for the more direct "a decision that must be made" or "a decision that remains to be made".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that lies" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by providing additional information about its location, state, or existence. Ludwig AI shows examples where it connects a noun to a descriptive clause, such as in "the challenge that lies ahead".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that lies" is a versatile relative clause used to modify nouns by specifying their location, state, or existence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. It is important to avoid passive constructions and choose synonyms like "resides" or "exists" depending on the context to enhance clarity and precision. Common usage appears in News & Media. Using "that lies" effectively involves understanding its function and purpose within a sentence and avoiding common errors to ensure grammatically sound and contextually appropriate writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that resides

Replaces "lies" with a synonym suggesting a more permanent or inherent presence.

that exists

Offers a more general and neutral alternative to indicate the presence of something.

that is located

Provides a more explicit and geographical sense of location compared to "lies".

that is situated

Similar to "is located" but can also imply a specific context or circumstance.

that is present

Emphasizes the current existence or availability of something.

that is found

Suggests the act of discovery or identification of something.

that inheres

Indicates something is intrinsically part of something else, a more formal alternative.

that is contained

Highlights the aspect of being held or included within something.

which underlies

Focuses on the foundational aspect, what supports or is the cause of something else.

which is concealed

Emphasizes that something is hidden or not immediately obvious.

FAQs

How can I use "that lies" in a sentence?

You can use "that lies" to describe the location or state of something, often metaphorically. For instance, "the answer that lies within" or "the opportunity that lies ahead".

What can I say instead of "that lies"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "that resides", "that exists", or "that is located".

Is it correct to say "the problem that lies" or "the problem that lays"?

"The problem that lies" is correct. "Lies" is the present tense of the verb "to lie", meaning to be in or assume a horizontal position or to be situated. "Lays" is the present tense of "to lay", meaning to put or place something.

What's the difference between "that lies ahead" and "that lays ahead"?

"That lies ahead" refers to something that is situated in the future, like "the challenge that lies ahead". "Lays" requires a direct object, so "that lays ahead" is grammatically incorrect unless you're talking about laying something down ahead of something else, which is unlikely in most contexts.