drawn taut

USAGE SUMMARY

"drawn taut" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is pulled tight, such as a rope or a string. An example would be: "The rope was drawn taut, ready for the next pull." Alternative expressions include "pulled tight" and "stretched tight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It was an interval drawn taut with detail.

The New Yorker

The redesigned exterior, drawn taut behind the scowl of the new grille, definitely means business.

The New York Times

They regard it as both stressful by nature and drawn taut by difference.

The New Yorker

He is leaning against the rail, his tan, handsome face drawn taut as he stares slightly downward.

The New Yorker

A spiritual reawakening within a community already drawn taut by spiritual aspiration must have created a strenuous atmosphere.

The New Yorker

More than a Bohemian symphony with an American accent, "From the New World" is a reading of America drawn taut emotionally by the pull of the Czech fatherland.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Mr. Morlot drew taut, rhythmically incisive playing from the young musicians, who shaped phrases with expressive care and played the turbulent work's soaring melodies with bristling excitement.

The New York Times - Arts

From a bracket on the floor to a beam above runs a vertical elastic cord, drawn fairly taut.

The New Yorker

Now, in his fifties, his skin is drawn so taut over his sinews that he seems flayed.

The Guardian

The wolf was on its belly now, staring at the trees, its trapped leg drawn out taut in front of it.

The New Yorker

In the similarly turbulent "Moopim," which opened on Wednesday night at Performance Space 122, a choreographic vocabulary is drawn from taut movement and strangulated speech rooted in lonely, churning and violent sexual frustration.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drawn taut" to create a vivid image of physical tension or emotional strain in your writing. For example, "The rope was drawn taut, ready to snap."

Common error

Avoid using "drawn taut" when you simply mean 'tight'. "Drawn taut" implies a stretching or pulling action that results in tightness, not just a state of being tight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drawn taut" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its state of being stretched or tightened. As Ludwig AI underlines, it implies a condition resulting from an action, not merely a state of tightness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drawn taut" functions as an adjectival phrase, effectively conveying tension and strain. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and appears mostly in news and media contexts. While "drawn taut" is not exceedingly common, it offers a vivid way to depict something stretched or tightened. Alternatives such as "stretched tight" or "pulled tight" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. When employing the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects an active stretching or pulling action leading to the state of being taut.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stretched tight

Emphasizes the physical act of stretching, similar to "drawn taut" but with a stronger focus on the action.

pulled tight

Highlights the force applied to make something taut, like "drawn taut" but more active.

tautened

A single word that directly means to make or become taut, similar meaning to "drawn taut".

tightened

Focuses on the state of being tight, overlapping with "drawn taut" but less emphasis on the stretching aspect.

made tense

Highlights the resulting tension, similar to "drawn taut" in conveying a sense of strain.

under tension

Stresses the condition of being stretched, related to "drawn taut" in expressing a state of strain.

kept rigid

Implies a firmness and inflexibility, diverging slightly from "drawn taut" which focuses on the stretching aspect.

stretched to capacity

Indicates something is stretched to its maximum limit, showing more intensity than "drawn taut".

stressed

Indicates more emphasis on emotional/mental tension

under pressure

Indicates a state of being subjected to insistent demands or tension

FAQs

How can I use "drawn taut" in a sentence?

You can use "drawn taut" to describe something stretched tightly, like "The fishing line was drawn taut as the fish struggled" or to convey emotional tension, such as "His face was drawn taut with worry".

What's a good alternative to "drawn taut"?

Depending on the context, you could use "stretched tight", "pulled tight", or simply "tense".

Is it correct to say "draw taut" instead of "drawn taut"?

No, "draw taut" is not grammatically correct. "Drawn taut" is the past participle form, indicating a completed action or state. Use "draw taut" only in contexts requiring the present tense.

What does "drawn taut" imply?

"Drawn taut" suggests that something has been stretched or pulled with considerable force, resulting in a state of tension or rigidity. It can apply both to physical objects and to emotional states.