there lies

USAGE SUMMARY

"there lies" is correct and can be used in written English.
It usually means "that is situated there" and it is typically used in more formal writing styles. For example: "At the end of the path, there lies a small cabin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But there lies the crucial point.

The Economist

Somewhere in there lies the truth.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Hence, there lies the huge problem concerning accessibility to kindergarten.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

But there lies the rub.

Vice

And there, lies your freedom.

Huffington Post

"Where you stumble, there lies your treasure".

Huffington Post

And In there lies the problem.

Huffington Post

But there lies the real issue.

Huffington Post

So there lies Joe Biden's dilemma.

Huffington Post

The proof there lies in the Kyoto Protocol.

Vice

There lies the conundrum.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there lies" to create a sense of formality or to add emphasis to the location or existence of something important. It is especially effective in descriptive or narrative contexts.

Common error

Ensure the verb "lies" agrees with the subject that follows. If the subject is plural, use "lie" instead. For example, "There lie the ruins of an ancient city".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there lies" functions as an existential clause with an inverted sentence structure. It indicates the presence or location of something, often with added emphasis. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is considered grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show it's used to introduce a subject and give prominence to its existence or location.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there lies" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate the location or existence of something significant, confirmed by Ludwig AI. As identified in Ludwig's examples, it's often employed to add emphasis or formality, particularly in news and media contexts. While various alternatives exist, such as "there exists" or "the key is", "there lies" provides a distinct tone of importance and is especially effective in narrative or descriptive settings. Remember to ensure subject-verb agreement and use it strategically to emphasize key elements in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there exists

Emphasizes existence rather than location.

there is located

Directly indicates the physical location of something.

that is the location of

Specifically points out a place.

there can be found

Suggests the possibility of discovery in a particular location.

that is where you'll find

Emphasizes a specific location as the place to discover something.

the key is

Highlights the central importance or solution to something.

the problem is

Focuses on identifying the source of a difficulty or issue.

contained within

Indicates enclosure or inclusion within something else.

inherent in

Suggests that something is an essential part of something else.

it resides within

Implies a non-physical existence or presence within something.

FAQs

How to use "there lies" in a sentence?

Use "there lies" to indicate the location or existence of something, often with a sense of importance or formality. For example, "There lies the answer to our problems". It's an inverted sentence structure, so the subject follows the verb.

What can I say instead of "there lies"?

You can use alternatives like "there exists", "there is located", or "the key is" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "there lies" or "there lays"?

"There lies" is the correct form. "Lies" is the present tense, third-person singular form of the verb "to lie" (to be located). "Lays" is the present tense, third-person singular form of the verb "to lay" (to place something down), which has a different meaning.

What's the difference between "there lies" and "there is"?

"There lies" is more formal and often used to emphasize the location or existence of something significant. "There is" is a more general and common way to indicate existence. For example, "There is a house on the hill" is less emphatic than "There lies a hidden treasure".