folded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "folded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been bent or creased, typically referring to paper, fabric, or other materials. Example: "The letter was neatly folded and placed in the envelope."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a case of different team, same old story for Alastair Cook, although Essex folded more ignominiously in their first innings of the County Championship season than even England managed in the winter.

The Guardian - Sport

All of which would be a game of spot-the-reference to be played by record-fondling mouthbreathers (guilty as charged), were it not so expertly and emotively folded together, and were the writing not so strong.

The Guardian - Music

In the event, he folded it in half, looked at the top, talked about the first point and then turned it over and talked about the last one.

The Guardian - Opinion

For some reason, I picture him spluttering those words through gales of laughter, with one arm hooked around the shoulders of a bemused refugee and the latest issue of Variety folded open on his lap.

The Guardian - Film

He was meant to have folded by now, to have crumbled under the pressure and turned into a gaffe-prone wreck.

The Guardian - Opinion

My mouth watered; I sighed deeply, realised I was sitting with my hands stretched towards the plate like a diabetic Jesus raising his arms to his sugary Lord, and folded them chastely on my lap.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It has been obvious that, despite winning their share of sessions - one or two in Brisbane, most of the first four days in Adelaide, the first day here - they have folded when Australia have come back at them.

The Guardian - Sport

The Age's feature section Focus has folded and will not return in 2015.

The Guardian

Jonathan Turner, curator of the Aquarium of the Lakes, told the Westmorland Gazette: "A young member of the school trip had neatly folded a GBP5 note and was holding it in her hand as we reached the mountain stream display, "Somehow the money ended up in the trout's mouth.

The Guardian

So honey it was, a little being first warmed with thyme leaves then folded into the goat's yogurt with the crumbled cheese.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She folded them behind her back and waited for the young women, who sat silently holding hands, to make a choice.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "folded" to describe the arrangement of items, such as clothing or documents, to imply neatness and order, like "The clothes were carefully folded and placed in the drawer".

Common error

Avoid using "folded" to describe the end of abstract entities or processes unless a clear sense of physical or structural collapse is intended. For instance, saying "The discussion folded" is less precise and vivid than saying "The discussion ended" or "The discussion concluded".

Linguistic Context

The term "folded" primarily functions as the past participle of the verb "fold", indicating a completed action of bending or closing something over itself. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is correct and widely applicable in various contexts. Many examples are available in news articles or lifestyle publications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "folded" functions primarily as the past participle of "fold", denoting an action of bending or closing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. The phrase commonly appears in contexts such as news, lifestyle, and sports, with a neutral formality level. Related phrases include "creased" and "collapsed", offering nuanced variations in meaning. Remember to use "folded" when a clear sense of physical or structural bending is implied, and avoid it for abstract closures where other terms like "ended" or "concluded" might be more precise. The term exhibits high frequency, as noted by Ludwig, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bent

A general term for curving something from a straight line, similar to folding but less precise.

creased

Refers specifically to the creation of a crease or line by bending, emphasizing the physical mark left behind.

collapsed

Implies a sudden and often involuntary reduction in size or structure, suggesting a more dramatic event than a simple fold.

doubled over

Describes bending something sharply, often in the middle, which is a more emphatic form of folding.

merged

Suggests a blending or combining of two or more entities into one, implying a more complete integration than simply bending together.

tucked

Describes neatly placing something into a confined space, often involving a bending or folding motion.

turned under

Specific to fabrics or edges being folded and secured underneath, providing a neat finish.

closed

Indicates bringing something together, often implying a folding action, especially for items with flaps or covers.

compacted

Suggests making something more dense by pressing it together, which might involve folding as a method.

brought together

Describes the act of uniting separate parts, which can sometimes involve a folding motion to connect them.

FAQs

How is "folded" used in a sentence?

"Folded" is the past participle of "fold", used to describe something that has been bent or closed over itself. For example, "The letter was neatly folded" or "He folded his arms across his chest".

What are some synonyms for "folded"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "folded" include "creased", "collapsed", "merged", "tucked", or "bent".

When can "folded" describe a business?

"Folded" can describe a business that has ceased operations, implying a complete closure or collapse of the business structure, similar to saying it "went out of business" or "shut down".

Is it correct to say "folded under pressure"?

Yes, "folded under pressure" is a common idiom meaning to succumb or give way due to stress or opposition. It suggests a breaking point where resistance is no longer possible. An alternative phrase would be "crumbled under pressure".