tied

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tied" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as either a verb or an adjective. For example, you could say "I was tied to the chair" or "He was wearing a brightly colored, tied bow tie".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Being able to live in a stable home is a basic human need, tied up with important feelings of choice and certainty, and we are living in a world now where only a few can hope for that, which cannot be right".

The Guardian - Business

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 2.37pm ET19:37 Question for Carney: Are the budget negotiations and the new debt ceiling tied in some way?

The Guardian

Damning reports by human rights organisations cataloguing the dire living conditions for many workers tied to their employers by the kafala system and investigations by the Guardian resulted in an international outcry and criticism of Fifa for not doing more to bring pressure to bear.

The Guardian

Pollsters at Opinium said it appears that the two main parties are statistically tied, with variations in recent weeks being within the bounds of statistical error.

The Guardian

My strongest memory is of one early-evening phonecall: for at least three minutes, the voice at the other end insisted I was connected to the "Man of Mystery", and tied me in knots, before I swore in frustration, and Thorgerson wearily played it straight, wondering when the deadline was, and how the book was going.

The Guardian - Music

The former Tory treasurer, who now insists he is an impartial pollster, suggested that the Tories and Labour would be tied on 272 seats each.

The Guardian

She wrote: I feel like my hands are tied bc I don't want it reported but how can I even stop it?

The Guardian - Opinion

BP has tied its mast to expansion in Russia.

The Guardian - Business

But haven't we caught you now?" When they'd finished, they tied him with sisal rope and walked him to the main group.

The Guardian

Labour and the Conservatives are still virtually tied when it comes to the race for largest party.

The Guardian

That's why I haven't bought a house, I don't want to be tied down.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tied" to describe a relationship, consider whether a more precise term like "linked", "bound", or "associated" might better convey the specific nature of the connection.

Common error

Avoid using "tied" when a weaker connection is intended. Overusing "tied" can make your writing sound overly dramatic or restrictive when a simpler term like "linked" or "associated" would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The word "tied" functions primarily as the past participle of the verb "tie", often used to describe a state of being connected, bound, or restricted. Ludwig AI indicates that it is also used as an adjective. As an example, the word can be used as "She tied the knot with her loved one".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "tied" functions primarily as a verb form and adjective, denoting connection, restriction, or equality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility. It appears "Very common" across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, consider more precise alternatives like ""linked"" or "restricted" for nuanced expression. Avoid overusing "tied" for weaker connections. The provided FAQs address common usage questions. Overall, "tied" is a reliable and widely applicable term, as demonstrated by Ludwig's extensive examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

connected

Expresses a general association or link, differing from "tied" which often implies a stronger, more binding relationship.

bound

Similar to "tied" in suggesting a restriction or obligation, but can also imply a sense of destiny or fate.

linked

Indicates a connection or association, often in a less direct or forceful manner than "tied".

restricted

Focuses on the limitation or constraint imposed, rather than the act of binding or connecting.

conditional

Highlights the dependence of something on specific conditions, a specific use-case of "tied".

even

Describes the state where scores or results are equal, often used in sports or competitions.

matched

Similar to 'even' in the context of being equal in score or performance but can be used in other contexts as well.

associated

Indicates a connection or relationship, often less direct than "tied".

obligated

Emphasizes a sense of duty or requirement, differing from "tied" which can imply physical or metaphorical binding.

dependent

Highlights the reliance of one thing on another, a meaning related to the conditional aspect of "tied".

FAQs

How can I use "tied" in a sentence?

You can use "tied" to describe something that is physically bound (e.g., "The prisoner was tied to a chair") or metaphorically connected (e.g., "Their success is tied to hard work").

What can I say instead of "tied" when describing a close connection?

Alternatives include "linked", "associated", or "bound" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "tied to" or "tied with"?

"Tied to" is generally used to indicate a connection or dependence (e.g., "His success is tied to her help"), while "tied with" can indicate a literal binding with something (e.g., "The package was tied with a ribbon") or equality in a competition (e.g. "They "tied with" first place").

Is "tied" formal or informal?

"Tied" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The specific context will determine the overall formality of the sentence.