was laid down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was laid down" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe the formal establishment of a law or rule. For example, "In 1867, the Law of Inheritance was laid down by the Supreme Court."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She was laid down in January 1889, launched in October 1891, and completed in 1896.

Wikipedia

A blue vinyl mat was laid down on the deck.

The New York Times - Magazine

And its new beat was laid down in Brooklyn.

The New Yorker

The Democrats' line was laid down by Clinton himself.

The New York Times

The basic structure of the Conseil d'État was laid down by Napoleon, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They brought a stretcher and Fyodorov was laid down on it.

The New Yorker

The procedure of these duels was laid down in great detail.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The experiment was laid down in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications.

Annals of Agrarian Science

The experiment was laid down in a randomized complete block design with three replications.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

FDM objects are terraced with little lines where each layer was laid down.

TechCrunch

Wherever ceramic was laid down in a printed design, metal remains separated and doesn't fuse.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about historical events, "was laid down" can effectively convey the setting of foundations or principles.

Common error

Avoid using "was laid down" when an active voice is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "The manager was laid down the rules", use "The manager laid down the rules."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was laid down" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action was performed on a subject. It's used to describe the establishment of something, whether it's a physical structure (like a ship's keel) or an abstract concept (like a rule or principle), according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was laid down" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to describe the establishment or initiation of something, be it a physical foundation or an abstract principle. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, encyclopedias, scientific papers, and Wiki, indicating a neutral to formal register. When seeking alternatives, consider "was established" or "was founded" depending on the specific context. Ensure correct usage by applying "was" for singular subjects and "were" for plural subjects. The Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity, further solidifying its reliability in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was established

Focuses more on the act of setting up or founding something, often an organization or system.

was instituted

Implies a more formal and official commencement of a rule, law, or system.

was founded

Specifically refers to the act of creating a foundation or basis for something.

was created

A more general term that emphasizes the making or bringing into existence of something.

was determined

Highlights the process of deciding or establishing something definitively.

was implemented

Emphasizes the putting of a plan or system into effect.

was constructed

Suggests a more physical or structural building or assembly of something.

was arranged

Focuses on the planning and organization of something in a particular way.

was specified

Highlights the act of clearly defining or detailing something.

was initiated

Implies the beginning or commencement of a process or project.

FAQs

How is "was laid down" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "was laid down" is used in the passive voice to indicate that something (like a rule, foundation, or keel) was formally established or initiated. For example, "The foundation for the new building "was laid down" last week".

What are some alternatives to "was laid down"?

Alternatives include "was established", "was instituted", or "was founded", depending on the specific context. These phrases can provide nuanced differences in meaning.

Is it correct to say "the rules were laid down" instead of "the rules was laid down"?

No, the grammatically correct form is "the rules were laid down". Because "rules" is plural, it requires the plural form of the verb "to be" which is "were."

When would I use "was laid down" versus "were laid down"?

"Was laid down" is used with singular subjects, such as "the keel was laid down". "Were laid down" is used with plural subjects, such as "the ground rules were laid down".