in tow

USAGE SUMMARY

"in tow" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that means to accompany or follow behind someone or something. Example: The couple got married and followed the wedding guests in tow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Daughter in tow.

The New Yorker

With Sanne in tow.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Little ones in tow?

The New York Times - Travel

Children in tow?

The New York Times

Gone was the housewife, apron in tow.

The New York Times

She has a boyfriend in tow.

The New York Times - Food

Mitt, then 15, was often in tow.

The New York Times

"Turn up with a kid in tow?

The New Yorker

Schicchi arrives, Lauretta in tow.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mostly with young children in-tow.

The Guardian - Opinion

A new app store may also be in-tow.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in tow" when you want to emphasize that someone or something is following or accompanying another person or object, often implying a sense of being led or managed. For example, 'She arrived at the party with her children in tow'.

Common error

Avoid using "in tow" when the accompanying person or object is not under the direction or influence of the person they are with. It is incorrect to say 'They walked side by side, in tow', as "in tow" suggests a leader-follower relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in tow" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how someone or something is moved or accompanied. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable idiom. Examples show it describing people, animals, or even objects being brought along.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "in tow" is a grammatically correct and frequently used idiom, as Ludwig AI confirms. It describes the act of accompanying someone or something, often with an implication of being led or managed. While generally neutral in register, it appears most often in news and media contexts. When using "in tow", be mindful of the implied control dynamic. For alternatives, consider "accompanied by", "with", or "followed by", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accompanied by

Focuses on the act of accompanying rather than the implied control or trailing aspect of "in tow".

bringing along

Highlights the act of actively including someone or something in the journey.

escorted by

Suggests a more formal or protective accompaniment.

taken along

Similar to 'bringing along' but can imply less active choice.

followed by

Emphasizes the sequence of movement, where one follows the other.

with

A simpler and more general way to indicate presence alongside someone or something.

in attendance with

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to express accompaniment.

attended by

Focuses on the act of being present with someone, often in a formal setting.

carried along

Suggests less autonomy. Someone or something is carried with you.

chaperoned by

Implies supervision and guidance during the accompaniment.

FAQs

How can I use "in tow" in a sentence?

You can use "in tow" to describe someone or something accompanying another, often implying a sense of being led or managed. For instance, "He arrived at the meeting with his assistant "in tow"".

What phrases can I use instead of "in tow"?

Alternatives include "accompanied by", "with", or "followed by" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in toe" instead of "in tow"?

No, the correct phrase is "in tow". "In toe" is a misspelling and doesn't carry the intended meaning of accompanying or following.

What's the difference between "in tow" and "alongside"?

"In tow" implies a trailing or following relationship, whereas "alongside" suggests being side-by-side or parallel. You would use "in tow" when someone is following, and "alongside" when they are next to each other.