chains

USAGE SUMMARY

'chains' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to a series of connected metal links, like a necklace or a lock, or more figuratively, for things which limit or restrict someone's behavior or decisions. For example: "The chains of convention kept her from following her true desires."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Richard Locke, a political scientist at M.I.T. who is an expert on global supply chains and the author of the new book "The Promise and Limits of Private Power," told me, "Instead of buying lots of inventory with long lead times, brands wait as long as possible before ordering".

The Economist

Larry Siems: how the manuscript became a book By now the chains on my ankles were cutting off the blood to my feet.

The Guardian

In the summer of 2004, a young jihadist in shackles and chains was walked by his captors slowly into the Camp Bucca prison in southern Iraq.

The Guardian

"The independent coffee shops offer consumers a more unique experience than one of the chains," she says.

The Guardian

The report said sales at the big coffee chains rose 10% to £2.1bn last year with around 11m cups of coffee drunk in, or carried out, each week.

The Guardian - Business

With more than one in seven high street stores already lying empty, property experts do not expect the rapacious growth of food chains to fill that void.

The Guardian - Business

The exhibition community – namely the theatre chains and smaller independent venues – clings to triumphs such as The Lorax and will get a lot of play out of its performance at next month's CinemaCon event in Las Vegas.

The Guardian - Film

"I'd like to try and work with the [other] crown representatives to work with some of those suppliers to find the most effective ways for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to be a really important part of their supply chains," he explains.

The Guardian

The proposal is supposed to encourage transparency, but neither sets out how companies should monitor their supply chains nor puts forward a credible penalty for failing to do so.

The Guardian - Opinion

I visited a selection of chains in west London, and one independent, buying a cappuccino in each of them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The name comes from the early days when the Normandie featured a lot of French films; these days it focuses more on Latin American cinema and the thriving national film industry, with a clear emphasis on providing an outlet for films ignored by the multiplex chains.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chains" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates the type of restriction or connection being described. Consider if a more specific term like "restrictions" or "bonds" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "chains" as a generic term for any kind of limitation. Overuse can weaken the impact. Instead, choose words that precisely reflect the nature of the constraint, such as "regulations", "obligations", or "dependencies".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "chains" is as a noun, typically used in its plural form to denote multiple connected links or, metaphorically, things that bind or restrain. Ludwig AI shows frequent usage in describing both literal and figurative constraints.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "chains" functions primarily as a noun, denoting connected links or metaphorical constraints. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. With a very common frequency, as evidenced by its prevalence in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science sources, "chains" effectively conveys ideas of physical or abstract limitations. When using "chains", it's important to consider if a more specific term like "restrictions" or "bonds" might be more appropriate to avoid overuse of the metaphor. Related phrases such as "series of links" and "connected sequence" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

series of links

Focuses on the physical structure rather than the metaphorical constraint.

connected sequence

Highlights the interconnected nature and order of elements.

shackles

Implies restraint and imprisonment more strongly than "chains".

bonds

Can refer to both physical and emotional constraints or connections.

restrictions

Emphasizes limitation and control, applicable in various contexts.

constraints

Similar to restrictions, but often used in more formal or technical contexts.

entanglements

Suggests complexity and difficulty in escaping the situation.

fetters

Implies a more archaic or literary form of restraint.

succession of events

Emphasizes the sequential nature of connected occurrences.

network of connections

Highlights interconnectedness and relationships between different elements.

FAQs

How can I use "chains" in a sentence?

You can use "chains" to refer to physical restraints like "The prisoner was bound by "chains"" or metaphorical constraints such as "The "chains" of tradition held her back".

What are some alternatives to using the word "chains"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "bonds", "restrictions", or "shackles".

When is it appropriate to use "chains" metaphorically?

It's appropriate to use "chains" metaphorically when describing something that restricts freedom, movement, or action. The metaphor evokes a sense of being bound or constrained by something powerful and difficult to escape.

What's the difference between "chains" and "fetters"?

"Chains" is a more common and general term, while "fetters" is a more archaic or literary term. Both refer to restraints, but "fetters" often implies a more severe or oppressive form of confinement.