grasping the arm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grasping the arm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is physically holding or seizing another person's arm, often to convey a sense of urgency or control. Example: "In a moment of panic, she found herself grasping the arm of her friend for support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

While grasping the arms of the chair, the person lifts himself off the seat.

The New York Times

The ruler of Moravia sits tightly grasping the arms of an archaic looking throne, anxious in her lonely kingdom.

The Guardian - Arts

There was an open bar; there were cupcakes with the McLaren logo on them; and the crowd was dotted with statuesque women grasping the arms of shorter, older men.

Los Angeles Times

When a new object is placed in front of it, the robot's deep-learning system quickly figures out what grasp the arm should use.

MIT Technology Review

One hand should grasp the arm and the other should be placed flat under the base.

WikiHow

Others would grasp the arms of instructors who used physical cues to describe the dioramas.

The New York Times

Dr. Seueng grasped the limp arm of a 6-year-old girl, Lor Chaneut, who received a diagnosis of dengue fever, the mosquito-borne disease that can be fatal without close medical attention.

The New York Times

Through this process, the user can grasp the robotic arm and locally modify the executed movement, which is learnt on-line, modulating the current musical parameters.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

The user can grasp the robotic arm to define cyclic trajectories that are learnt and automatically executed by the robot; the trend of each trajectory is locally converted into standard music control signals, and can be routed to all the connected hardware and software devices.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Young peach fruits are thinned by striking the branches with a padded pole or by shaking the entire tree for a few seconds with a well-padded motor-driven shaker arm grasping the trunk.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Like the human brain, the autonomy of the robotic system is based on perception and actions recognizing the object, sending the signal from sensors to the system and creating a control strategy, which results in the robot arm grasping the object.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action where someone is holding another person's arm, consider using "grasping the arm" to convey a sense of urgency, control, or support, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "grasping the arm" when a simpler term like "holding the arm" would suffice. "Grasping" implies a more forceful or urgent action, so reserve it for situations where that nuance is intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grasping the arm" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun within a sentence. It describes the act of holding or seizing someone's arm, often to convey a sense of urgency, control, or support. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grasping the arm" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase used to describe the act of holding or seizing someone's arm. Ludwig AI affirms its usability in written English. While it is relatively rare, it appears in contexts ranging from News & Media to Science and Wiki articles. The phrase conveys a sense of urgency, control, or support. Consider alternatives like "seizing the arm" or holding the arm firmly depending on the nuance you want to convey. Choose the phrase that best reflects the specific intention of the communication.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grabbing the arm

A more direct and less formal way of saying "grasping the arm".

seizing the arm

Emphasizes a sudden or forceful grabbing of the arm.

gripping the arm

Indicates a firm and secure hold on the arm.

holding the arm firmly

Highlights the strength and stability of the grip.

clutching the arm

Suggests a tight, possibly desperate, grip on the arm.

taking hold of the arm

Focuses on the action of establishing a grip on the arm.

holding onto the arm

Emphasizes the act of maintaining a hold on the arm.

catching the arm

Implies a quick or reactive grab of the arm.

clasping the arm

Implies a gentle or tender holding of the arm.

taking the arm

A more general term that could mean offering support or escorting someone.

FAQs

How can I use "grasping the arm" in a sentence?

You might use "grasping the arm" to describe someone physically holding another person's arm tightly or suddenly. For example, "In a moment of panic, she was seen "clutching the arm" of her friend for support".

What can I say instead of "grasping the arm"?

Alternatives include "seizing the arm", "gripping the arm", or "holding the arm firmly depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey".

What is the difference between "grasping the arm" and "holding the arm"?

"Grasping the arm" typically implies a more forceful or urgent action than "holding the arm". "Holding the arm" suggests a gentler or more casual touch, whereas "grasping" suggests a tight grip, possibly due to fear, urgency, or control.

Is "grasping the arm" formal or informal?

"Grasping the arm" is a neutral term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding sentence and the overall situation being described. Alternatives like "seizing the arm" might lean towards more dramatic or urgent scenarios.