to lay in

USAGE SUMMARY

"to lay in" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used to mean to store something in preparation for some future need. For example, "We laid in extra food and supplies in case of emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Time to lay in your supply for the summer.

Los Angeles Times

Change is said to lay in 'the act of saying' [ 15].

BMC Family Practice

"Just got to lay in the cut".

The New Yorker

"You make your bed, you have to lay in it.

The New York Times - Sports

We have to lay in the automatic transporter setting.

The New York Times

Mr. Russell has learned from experience to lay in provisions.

The New York Times - Food

The index u is obtained to lay in the interval 3 3.4.

Advances in Space Research

The QRS layers have developed the unfortunate habit of refusing to lay in their nest boxes.

Cornell University

Now I want to lay in a nice dark tone for the sky as well.

The Guardian

And just like that, a promising career seemed to lay in ruin.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was starting to lay in the blue-green background when I had to leave.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to lay in" when you specifically want to convey the idea of preparing for a future need by storing a supply of something. For instance, "It's wise to lay in extra batteries before the hurricane season."

Common error

Avoid confusing "to lay in" (to store) with "to lie in" (to recline or stay in bed). Remember, "lay" typically takes a direct object, while "lie" does not. A common mistake is using "lay in bed" when you mean "lie in bed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to lay in" functions as an infinitive verb phrase, often used to describe the action of accumulating or storing something for later use. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests preparing for a future need.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

22%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to lay in" is a versatile phrase that means to store or accumulate something for future use. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure you're conveying the idea of preparing for a future need by storing a supply of something. Avoid confusing it with "to lie in", which means to recline. Consider alternatives like "to stock up" or "to stockpile" depending on the context. Overall, it is a useful and common expression in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to stock up

Focuses on accumulating a supply, similar to preparing for a future need.

to stockpile

Implies amassing a large quantity, emphasizing the volume of the stored items.

to accumulate

Highlights the gradual increase in quantity over time.

to store

A general term for keeping something for future use, lacking the sense of preparation.

to put in

Simple action of placing something inside something else, losing emphasis on intent.

to deposit

Suggests a more formal placement, often in a designated location.

to position

Focuses on the placement of something, removing the implication of storage or future use.

to prepare

Emphasizes the act of making ready, rather than the storage itself.

to set aside

Indicates reserving something, but doesn't necessarily imply physical storage.

to reserve

Implies a planned allocation, often without a physical transfer.

FAQs

What does "to lay in" mean?

The phrase "to lay in" typically means to store or accumulate something for future use, often in preparation for an anticipated need or event.

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

You might say, "We need "to lay in supplies" before the storm hits" or "The squirrels are busy "to lay in nuts" for the winter."

What are some alternatives to "to lay in"?

Alternatives include "to stock up", "to stockpile", or "to accumulate", depending on the specific context.

Is "to lay in" formal or informal?

"To lay in" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in some situations.