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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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we lay that

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we lay that" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to express a concept but lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "In our discussion, we lay that the project needs more resources to succeed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"If we're going to back up from solar, who do we lay that blame on?" Mr. Wertz said, describing Xcel.

News & Media

The New York Times

But even if we lay that aside, if the story "included information about the arrests and tear gas," how is it possible to conclude that an image of a cop petting a kitten is appropriate?

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We will lay that out to the organization when I think the time is right.

News & Media

Forbes

But you know, we had to lay that pipe.

News & Media

Huffington Post

First, we’re likely to underreport the number of lies we tell (we lie about lying, that is).

News & Media

Forbes

We will lay that on him — or at least I will.

But ultimately, wherever we lie on that spectrum, our objective should go beyond dollar amount.

News & Media

Huffington Post

So, later that night, as we lay in bed together, that's what I did: apologize.

News & Media

The New York Times

And we lay all that at Harry Reid's doorstep.

News & Media

The New York Times

"And our job right now is to make sure that we lay the concrete and we lay it correctly".

News & Media

The New York Times

Why do we allow lies that justify this risk?

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "we lay that", opt for more precise verbs like "assert", "state", or "propose" to convey your intended meaning clearly.

Common error

Avoid using "lay" when you mean "lie". "Lay" requires a direct object (e.g., "we lay the foundation"), while "lie" means to recline or be in a horizontal position (e.g., "we lie down"). Using "lay" without a direct object or when referring to a state of being is a common grammatical error.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we lay that" attempts to function as a declarative statement, expressing an intention to assert or present something. However, Ludwig AI notes that it's often grammatically incorrect in standard written English, requiring a more precise verb.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we lay that" is grammatically questionable and infrequently used. Ludwig AI identifies it as often incorrect, suggesting that more precise alternatives like "we assert that" or "we propose that" are preferable. Its occurrences are primarily within News & Media and Science, but its ambiguous nature limits its effectiveness in formal communication. When aiming for clarity and grammatical accuracy, avoid "we lay that" and opt for clearer alternatives.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "we lay that"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can replace "we lay that" with alternatives like "we assert that", "we state that", or "we propose that".

When is it appropriate to use "lay" instead of "lie"?

"Lay" is a transitive verb that requires a direct object, meaning it needs something to act upon (e.g., "we lay the groundwork"). "Lie" is intransitive and does not take a direct object (e.g., "we lie down").

Is "we lay that" grammatically correct?

The phrase "we lay that" is often grammatically incorrect. It could be an attempt to express an idea but lacks clarity and proper structure. It's better to use phrases like "we establish that" or "we conclude that".

What is the difference between "we lay that" and "we lie about that"?

"We lay that" is often grammatically incorrect and usually refers to making a statement or assertion. In contrast, "we "we lie about that"" means that we are being untruthful about something.

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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: