pinned

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pinned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe fastening something firmly in a particular position or secure an item to a surface with a pin. For example, "I pinned the paper to the bulletin board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A poster pinned up nearby advertises a recent public meeting where worried residents were addressed by Network Rail representatives.

The Guardian

There was a time in 2007, in between Chris Kyle's deployments, when half my platoon was trapped behind a house while two Iraqi insurgent machine gunners pinned us down.

The Guardian - Opinion

Palace, who had to compensate for the early loss of Kagisho Dikgacoi to injury, had pinned their opponents back for long spells of the second half.

The Guardian - Sport

Carlo Ancelotti's men pinned them back for long spells and Liverpool might have been in for a messy evening if Simon Mignolet had let in one of the early attempts from James Rodríguez and Ronaldo.

The Guardian - Sport

"Warner may just be the one who gets pinned by someone in retaliation.

The Guardian - Sport

But Delaney also wittily pinned down the idea of a writer insulated from reality by fame and success.

The Guardian

He made up sentences that helped explain to him, and therefore others in his dire, inhibiting situation, the bottled-up the pain he felt at being underestimated, pinned down, ignored, driven into the thieving, violence and ganged-up mischief that confirms all mercilessly applied stereotypes.

The Guardian - Music

Last weekend, Hyde attended one of the band's gigs at London's Alexandra Palace, and described the experience on his blog: "Wild energy, abandoned to the beat, pinned to the stage with light," he wrote.

The Guardian - Music

Get four or five of us together, and between us there will not be a single drama series, comedy show, feature film or advert that we will not once have pinned our hopes to, or waited in frustration for the interview that never came.

The Guardian

Labour's hopes of resistance are pinned on the "ground war".

The Guardian - Opinion

His love of gunning for the media eventually resulted in the destruction of CNBC's honking goon Jim Cramer, somehow pinned as the figurehead of the 2008 financial crisis.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pinned" in writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether it refers to physical attachment, assigning blame, or restricting movement, as the word has multiple distinct meanings.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the surrounding text clearly specifies whether "pinned" means physically attached, blamed, or restricted. A lack of context can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pinned" is as a past participle of the verb pin, indicating a completed action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and serves to describe the state of being attached, restricted, or attributed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

20%

Music

14%

Less common in

Travel

3%

Lifestyle

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "pinned" is a versatile past participle with multiple meanings spanning physical attachment, attribution, and restriction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, most notably in news and media, sport, and music reporting. The frequency of the term, categorized as 'very common', coupled with its presence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist, underscores its relevance in contemporary English. While "pinned" is generally neutral in register, careful attention to context is crucial to avoid ambiguity, ensuring clarity in its intended meaning. Related terms offer alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affixed

Focuses on the act of attaching something firmly, often physically.

fastened

Emphasizes a secure joining or connection.

secured

Emphasizes making something safe or firm.

immobilized

Focuses on restricting movement or action.

trapped

Implies a situation of being caught or unable to escape.

attributed

Highlights the act of assigning a cause or characteristic.

held down

Highlights the act of physically restraining someone or something.

ascribed

Similar to 'attributed', but often relates to less tangible qualities.

imposed

Suggests enforcing something, like a rule or restriction.

blamed

Specifically denotes assigning responsibility for a fault or negative outcome.

FAQs

How can "pinned" be used in a sentence?

The word "pinned" can indicate physical attachment (e.g., "He pinned the notice to the board"), assigning blame (e.g., "The failure was pinned on the manager"), or restriction (e.g., "They were pinned down by enemy fire").

What are some alternatives to saying "pinned"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "pinned" could include "affixed", "attributed", "immobilized", or "blamed".

Which is correct: "pinned the blame on" or "pinned the blame to"?

The correct phrasing is "pinned the blame on". The preposition "on" is typically used to indicate the target of the blame.

What's the difference between "pinned" and "secured"?

"Pinned" often implies a temporary or less robust attachment compared to "secured". "Secured" suggests a more firm and reliable fastening or protection, while "pinned" might involve a simple pin or tack.