which would lay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which would lay" is not correct in standard written English; it should be "which would lie." You can use it when discussing hypothetical situations or conditions that involve reclining or being in a horizontal position.
Example: "The book was placed on the table, which would lay open if the wind blew."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

After further discussions with Maqdisi, Cohen put together a firm protocol which would lay out the terms of engagement.

The Guardian

Early in his career, Khorana performed some of his most groundbreaking work, which would lay the basis for modern molecular biology.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Perhaps an even better metaphor would be a mechanic's handbook, which would lay out basic strategies but demand unique solutions to unique problems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some have proposed an international tribunal akin to the Helsinki human rights agreement, which would lay out the ethical obligations to research participants.

The New York Times

Though worse than a formal settlement, which would lay down democratic rules in the north-east, it would be far better than either war or repression.

The Economist

Debate also continues over proposed amendments to a classified Defense Department directive, titled "3600.1: Information Operations," which would lay down Pentagon policy in coming years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Mr. Hakim's party, the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, or Sciri, wants the Shiite-dominated southern provinces to be allowed to form one huge autonomous state, beneath which would lie billions of barrels of oil.

The New York Times

Planned on a concentric model, these garden cities would set the primary civic functions in a central park, ringed by a great glass shopping arcade, beyond which would lie halos of housing and schools, encircled by a peripheral necklace of factories and services.

The Guardian - Arts

Another consideration is the growth plate of the femur, located in the metaphyseal region, which would lie directly under the side pocket in many cases.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Having chosen a seed, the algorithm assumes that it lies on one path through a SNP and then looks for an opposite k-mer, one substitution different, which would lie on another path through the bubble.

BMC Genomics

An alternative micro-assembly approach (Peterlongo et al., 2010) begins by producing a tree of k-mers for an input read set picking a seed k-mer and assuming that it lies on one path through a SNP and then looks for an opposite k-mer, one substitution different, which would lie on another path through the bubble.

Bioinformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be careful in choosing the verb: use "lay" when you are referring to the action of placing something down.

Common error

The verbs "lay" and "lie" are often confused. "Lay" is a transitive verb that requires a direct object (e.g., "I lay the book on the table"), while "lie" is intransitive and does not take a direct object (e.g., "I lie down for a nap").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which would lay" functions as a relative clause intended to modify a noun, describing a hypothetical action or state. However, it often contains a grammatical error because "lay" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which would lay" is generally grammatically incorrect, as "lay" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object. It's often misused in contexts where "lie" (an intransitive verb) is more appropriate. Ludwig analysis shows that while this phrase appears in various sources, including news and scientific articles, it's important to use it correctly or consider alternatives like "that would establish" or "which would lie" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that would lie

Corrects the verb form to "lie", indicating a state of rest or being in a horizontal position. Changes the verb to reflect the correct usage.

that would establish

Replaces the phrase with a more accurate depiction of setting up a foundation for something.

that would set

Shortens the phrase but maintains the intention of establishing or placing something in a specific state.

that would provide

Shifts the focus to offering or making something available, as in "providing a basis".

that would create

Emphasizes the act of bringing something into existence, implying the start of a new foundation.

that would form

Highlights the process of shaping or structuring something, suggesting the foundation being built.

that would underpin

Uses a more formal term to indicate providing support or a foundation for something.

that would ground

Emphasizes establishing something firmly, often in terms of principles or beliefs.

that would institute

Focuses on formally introducing or establishing a system or set of rules.

that would deposit

Implies placing something down, potentially in a figurative sense of providing information or evidence.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "lay" and "lie"?

"Lay" is a transitive verb (requires a direct object) meaning to place something down. "Lie" is an intransitive verb (no direct object) meaning to recline or be in a horizontal position. For example, you "lay" a book on the table, and you "lie" down to rest.

What is the difference between "which would lay" and "which would lie"?

"Which would lay" is generally incorrect. The correct form is "which would lie", used to describe something that would be in a resting or horizontal position. However, "lay" requires a direct object, so its use is different.

What can I say instead of "which would lay"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can use phrases like "which would establish", "which would create", or "which would provide" to more accurately convey the intended meaning.

Is "which would lay" ever correct in a sentence?

The phrase "which would lay" is rarely correct. "Lay" requires a direct object. The correct usage depends on the context. Consider rephrasing the sentence to use "lie" or another verb like "establish" if no direct object exists.