tide

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tide" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a change in the level of the sea, either when it is rising or falling. For example, "The tide was out, so we were able to walk on the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The growth of nationalism in the UK is unwelcome and destructive; properly endorsing our membership of the EU would do much to stem the tide of disaffection.

The Guardian

"I've been on those sands man and boy … What happened that night was not only awful beyond words – it was absolutely avoidable … Even when the tide hit them, had they had anybody with them, like me, who knows the area, there was still a safe route off the cockle bed … They could have walked to safety".

The Guardian - Opinion

We have a long way to go to even start turning the tide on Ebola in Sierra Leone," said Nik Hartley, head of Restless Development, a British-based charity that employed more than 70 people in the district.

The Guardian

Guyana is below sea-level at high tide (hence the muddy rivers) and so a protective sea wall stretches for miles and buildings are slightly raised from the ground.

The Guardian - Travel

In the biggest upset in the men's draw so far, the Frenchman swept to victory on a tide of local sentiment, Tsonga battering his way to a quarter-final appointment with Kei Nishikori, the world No5.

The Guardian - Sport

They claimed that "over recent decades" tide gauges show sea level is going up by about 1 mm per year and satellite data shows an annual rise of 2 to 3 mm.

The Guardian

He pointed me to a scientific paper published in 2011 in the journal Surveys in Geophysics showing that in fact, tide gauges record that sea level has been rising at about 2.8mm per year since the early 90s, not the 1mm claimed by Carter and Harris.

The Guardian

There are children scooping the sand for the tiny crabs trapped in dips in the sand at low tide.

The Guardian - Travel

Australian government lawyers believed such a flight would comply with international law, the report said, "because only land features above high tide can generate territorial rights".

The Guardian

"Over the past 20-30 years, we have not been able to turn the tide of harmful drinking in the way we have been able to reduce the amount of smoking in the UK.

The Guardian

But still, amid last week's great tide of tributes, friends of Charles Kennedy may be allowed one last question: where does journalism stop, and cruelty begin?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tide" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly relates to cyclical change or a powerful, directional force.

Common error

Avoid using "tide" in contexts where a simple change or fluctuation is meant. "Tide" implies a more significant, directional force or cyclical pattern.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tide" is a noun, referring to the periodic rise and fall of sea levels. It can also function as a verb, meaning to float or drive with the tide. Ludwig provides examples of both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "tide" is a versatile term primarily used as a noun to denote the periodic rise and fall of sea levels, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its metaphorical applications extend to describing powerful trends or movements. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "tide" maintains a neutral register, suitable for diverse audiences. With its frequent usage and clear grammatical function, "tide" remains a valuable and readily understandable term in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ebb and flow

Emphasizes the fluctuating nature of something, similar to the rise and fall of the tide.

sea surge

Describes a sudden increase in sea level, often associated with storms and tides.

sea level fluctuation

Focuses specifically on the change in sea level, a key aspect of the tide.

current

Refers to the movement of water, often associated with tidal movements.

trend

Highlights a general direction or movement, analogous to the directional pull of the tide.

changing fortunes

Emphasizes the fluctuating nature of situations, similar to the cyclical nature of the tide.

tendency

Indicates a predisposition or inclination, much like the predictable nature of tides.

groundswell

Describes a growing movement or sentiment, reminiscent of the increasing power of a rising tide.

course

Implies a direction or path, similar to the tide's predictable route.

maelstrom

Suggests a powerful and turbulent force, like a strong or dangerous tide.

FAQs

How can "tide" be used metaphorically?

Metaphorically, "tide" often represents a powerful trend or movement, as in "a "tide of change"" or "turning the "tide" on a problem".

What's the difference between "tide" and "current"?

"Tide" refers to the periodic rise and fall of sea levels, while "current" describes a continuous flow of water in a particular direction. A "sea current" may or may not be caused by tidal forces.

What are common phrases using the word "tide"?

Common phrases include "high tide", "low tide", "storm tide", "swim against the "tide"", and "turn the "tide"".

Is it correct to say "the tide is going in" or "the tide is coming in"?

Both are correct. "The tide is going in" and "the tide is coming in" are interchangeable and describe the rising "rising tide".