that were laid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were laid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that has been placed or set down in the past, often in a descriptive context. Example: "The foundations that were laid for the new building are now visible above ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not only in people, but in huge dollars that were laid out.

The New York Times

The rain even seeped through the seams of the tarps that were laid over the grass.

The New York Times - Sports

And it stands on the same constitutional foundations that were laid during the era.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We met the challenges that were laid before us in terms of the '08 season," Tomlin said Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

Ornithologists also noted eggs were often not being laid while many that were laid did not hatch.

The Guardian

"In other cases, the titles that were laid off were scattered throughout the departments, not focused like this".

The New York Times

Ms. Gibbs said many families had been perplexed by the guidelines that were laid out for them.

The New York Times

BP had always denied the claims that were laid against it, although some appeared to have been substantiated by its own independent safety ombudsman.

The Guardian - Business

"We have to call over 350 employees that were laid off to convince them to come back to work," Mr. Grant said yesterday.

The New York Times

Among other problems, the system also initially employed a conventionally styled keyboard, and the controllers were used to keys that were laid out alphabetically.

The New York Times

So, when Bryn brakes the rules that were laid down for her, that allowed her to see her love, he beats her up about it, literally.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "that were laid", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being laid, whether it's foundations, rules, claims, or other abstract or physical entities. Maintain consistency in tense and voice within the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "that were laid" without a clear antecedent. For instance, instead of saying "The plans that were laid were not followed", specify "The plans that were laid out by the committee were not followed" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were laid" typically functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by providing additional information about it. It indicates a state or condition resulting from a past action, as Ludwig AI confirms. For example, "the foundations that were laid" describes the specific foundations being discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that were laid" is a versatile and commonly used phrase functioning as a relative clause to describe something established or placed in the past. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, and its frequency in various contexts, particularly news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, underscores its broad applicability. When using this phrase, clarity is key, and it's essential to ensure a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "which were placed" or "that had been set" can offer subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which were placed

This alternative replaces "laid" with "placed", focusing on the act of putting something in a specific location.

that had been set

Using "had been set" emphasizes the prior arrangement or establishment of something.

that were positioned

Replaces "laid" with "positioned", highlighting the specific arrangement or location.

that were arranged

Focuses on the act of organizing or ordering something in a specific way.

which were established

This emphasizes the act of founding or bringing something into existence.

that were constructed

Emphasizes the building or assembling of something in the past.

which were built

This alternative replaces "laid" with "built", focusing on the construction aspect.

which had been created

This focuses on the act of creation or construction prior to the current context.

which were deposited

This alternative is particularly suitable when discussing geological or sedimentary processes.

that were prescribed

Emphasizes that the action or rule was formally dictated or recommended.

FAQs

How can I use "that were laid" in a sentence?

Use "that were laid" to describe something established or placed in the past. For example, "The foundations "that were laid" for the project were strong".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "that were laid"?

Alternatives include "which were placed", "that had been set", or "which were established" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "that were laid down" or "that were laid"?

"That were laid down" often implies a more formal or deliberate action of establishing rules or principles, while "that were laid" is more general. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "the rules that were laid" and "the rules that were made"?

"The rules "that were laid"" suggests a process of establishing or setting down rules, whereas "the rules that were made" simply indicates the act of creating them. The former can imply a more formal or considered approach.