will soon lay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will soon lay" is not correct in standard English; it should be "will soon lie." You can use it when discussing something that will happen shortly, particularly in the context of reclining or being in a horizontal position.
Example: "After a long day at work, I will soon lie down to rest."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He will soon lay out for the others his strategy for overthrowing the present regime.

The New Yorker

Are these signs that "Asian flu" has crossed the Pacific and will soon lay low the American West At first glance it seems unlikely.

The Economist

Rover announced last month that it will soon lay off 1,500 workers at its Longbridge car plant in the city.Conventions and curriesAnother industrial recession would be a big blow to a city that is still unusually reliant on manufacturing.

The Economist

MOST Venezuelans still cherish the hope that their country's constituent assembly, in session for the past month, will soon lay the foundations for a just legal system, cleaning up the country's judiciary and police, among Latin America's most corrupt.

The Economist

Firms have little incentive to train the young temps whom they will soon lay off, and that has contributed to Spain's dismal record of productivity growth.The trouble engulfing Greece ought to startle Spain's policymakers out of a dangerous complacency.

The Economist

We will soon lay down thousands of miles of power lines that can carry new energy to cities and towns across this country.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The fate of its 6th District, which stretches from deep-blue parts of Montgomery County through the solid red of Western Maryland, will soon lie with the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Washington Post

Like its bureaucratic predecessors from every administration, the 2015 national security strategy will soon lie forgotten on dusty shelves.

Los Angeles Times

These shootings are taking place on such a regular basis that the irony will soon lie in living in a place where a shooting has never taken place.

Huffington Post

We expect President Obama will soon clearly lay out an agenda on immigration reform.

Huffington Post

At this rate, Romney will soon start lying about his own name.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "will soon lie" when referring to reclining or being in a horizontal position. Remember that "lay" requires a direct object (e.g., "will soon lay the book down"), while "lie" does not.

Common error

Avoid using "will soon lay" when you mean "will soon lie" (to recline). "Lay" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object, while "lie" is intransitive and describes reclining. A common mistake is to use "lay" when "lie" is grammatically appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will soon lay" functions as a future tense verb phrase indicating an action of placing something down that is expected to occur shortly. However, based on Ludwig, it is important to differentiate it from the intransitive verb "lie", which means to recline.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "will soon lay" appears in various contexts, it's essential to ensure it's grammatically accurate. According to Ludwig, this phrase should only be used when referring to the action of placing something down imminently and should have a direct object. The more common intention of reclining should be expressed instead with "will soon lie". Due to its potential for grammatical errors, careful consideration of context is crucial. Remember to use "will soon lie" if you mean reclining, or consider alternatives to "will soon lay" for clarity if you mean setting something down.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is about to place

Emphasizes the imminence of the action of placing something.

is going to set

Indicates a future action of setting something down.

will shortly position

Indicates that something will be positioned in a short amount of time.

is on the verge of putting

Highlights the proximity to the act of putting something somewhere.

will promptly set down

Highlights the quickness with which something will be set down.

is nearing the point of positioning

Suggests an impending action of positioning something.

will be putting in place shortly

Indicates the near future action of setting in place.

is approaching the time to rest

Focuses on the upcoming time for resting or reclining.

is set to position in the coming moment

Emphasizes setting to position, happening soon.

will in the near future situate

Suggests that in the near future, something will be situated.

FAQs

What is the difference between "will soon lay" and "will soon lie"?

"Will soon lay" requires a direct object; it means to place something down soon (e.g., "He will soon lay the foundation"). "Will soon lie" means to recline or rest soon; it doesn't take a direct object (e.g., "She "will soon lie" down").

When is it correct to use "will soon lay"?

It is correct to use "will soon lay" when referring to the action of placing or setting something down in the near future. For example: "The construction crew "will soon lay" the first brick."

What are some alternatives to "will soon lie" for expressing future rest?

Alternatives to "will soon lie" include "will soon recline", "will soon rest", or "will soon be lying down". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "will soon lay" grammatically incorrect in all contexts?

No, it is not always incorrect but relies on context. The phrase ""will soon lay"" is grammatically correct if it is followed by a direct object that is being placed down soon. If there is no direct object or the intended meaning is to recline, use "will soon lie" instead.