a tie between

USAGE SUMMARY

"a tie between" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where two or more options or ideas are evenly matched or have an equal chance of being chosen or successful. Example: The competition was intense, with a tie between the top two finalists for first place. Another example: There seems to be a tie between the two political parties, with both receiving similar levels of support from the public.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For me, it's a tie between those two productions.

The Guardian

Best Line: A tie, between the silly and the serious.

The New Yorker

It's probably a tie between all the Pierre Hermé books and Frédéric Bau.

The New York Times

"I think there is clearly a tie between Iraq and terror," the governor said.

The New York Times

The final result was a tie between the Daily Mirror and PR firm Taylor Herring.

The Guardian

The most gracious film star I ever met A tie between Richard Attenborough and Clint Eastwood.

The Guardian - Film

That could happen either because of a tie between two candidates or a split among three.

The New York Times

Q. What is your least favorite airport? A. It's a tie between Hong Kong and Miami.

The New York Times

Phone records apparently offered further evidence of a tie between Marri and Hawsawi.

The New Yorker

There is no credible evidence of a tie between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Worst Accent--A tie between Whoopi Goldberg, for English, and Whoopi Goldberg, for Australian.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tie between", ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined and relevant to the context. Avoid vague references to maintain clarity.

Common error

Remember that "between" is typically used when comparing two items. If you're referring to more than two items, consider using "among" instead. For example, instead of "a tie between cats, dogs, and birds", use "a tie among cats, dogs, and birds".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tie between" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as a predicate nominative or within an adverbial phrase to indicate equality or equivalence between two distinct entities. This is supported by Ludwig, indicating the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tie between" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase to denote equivalence or equal standing between two entities. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. Primarily found in news and media sources, it serves to communicate balanced comparisons across various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by precisely defining the items being compared, and remember that "between" is typically used for only two items. For more than two, consider "among". Alternatives include "an equivalence between" or "an even match between".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a draw between

Specifically refers to a situation where no winner can be determined.

an equivalence between

Emphasizes the equal value or measure of the items being compared.

an even match between

Focuses on the balanced nature of the comparison, where neither side has a clear advantage.

a parity between

Stresses the equality in status or level of the items.

a deadlock between

Highlights the inability to decide between options, resulting in a standstill.

an equilibrium between

Suggests a balance where opposing forces are equal, maintaining stability.

a close contest between

Indicates a situation where the difference between the choices is minimal.

a standoff between

Implies a situation where progress is halted due to equally opposing forces.

a correlation between

Highlights the relationship between two things, but implies that they are not necessarily equivalent.

an association between

Indicates a connection or link between two things, not necessarily an equal standing.

FAQs

How to use "a tie between" in a sentence?

Use "a tie between" to indicate that two options or entities are equally ranked or matched. For example, "It's "a tie between" chocolate and vanilla for my favorite ice cream flavor".

What can I say instead of "a tie between"?

You can use alternatives like "an equivalence between", "an even match between", or "a draw between depending on the context".

Which is correct, "a tie between" or "a tie among"?

"A tie between" is used for two items, while "a tie among" is used for three or more. For instance, ""a tie between" John and Mary" versus "a tie among John, Mary and Peter".

What's the difference between "a tie between" and "a correlation between"?

"A tie between" indicates that items are equal or equivalent, whereas "a correlation between" suggests a relationship or connection, but not necessarily equality. One implies equal footing, while the other implies interdependence.