tied for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tied for a while" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more entities are in a temporary state of equality or connection for a certain period of time. Example: "The two teams were tied for a while before one finally took the lead in the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"My guess is this race is going to be roughly tied for a while," Mr. Dowd said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He said he was at that very moment on another line with a prospective free agent and would be tied up for a while.

The New York Times

"I'm a believer that in the right development, if you are willing to take a little risk upfront and don't mind having your money tied up for a while, you can make good money," said Mr. Robbins, a developer who lives in Concord, N.C.

The New York Times

Review: If you're willing to keep your money tied up for a while to earn a higher yield, First Internet Bank offers an attractive 2.22% APY on its 60-month CD.

Huffington Post

Rory McIlroy struggled with a 74 to finish tied for ninth while top-ranked Tiger Woods birdied his closing three holes for a 71 and share of 41st at six-under 282.

Los Angeles Times

Miles Tunnicliff and Fredrik Jacobson were tied for second, while the former Masters and British Open champion, Sandy Lyle, had a 67 to tie for fourth.

The New York Times - Sports

Langer, who was the 22nd ranked player in the field of 24 ended up tied for 19th-22nd, while Gallant, who was ranked last, ended up in last place with 1.5 points out of 9. Airapetian, the No. 9 ranked player in the field of 10 ended up tied for 8th-9th, while Jamison, ranked last, ended up at the bottom, scoring only one draw with eight losses.

The New York Times

Fellow Vitaphone drivers Miguel Ramos and Christian Montanari tied for sixth, while Playteam's Andrea Bertolini and Andrea Piccini were just behind.

Wikipedia

Justin Leonard and Jay Don Blake, who each shot a 66, were tied for third place, while Tiger Woods, the defending champion, was five strokes back at even par.

The New York Times - Sports

He wore ties for a while, but it was the skinniest style around, literally a shoestring.

The New York Times - Magazine

We may sever the ties for a while, she suggests, but family is the movie that none of us can rewrite or rewind.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a competition or situation where multiple parties are equal, use "tied for a while" to clearly indicate that the equality is not permanent.

Common error

Avoid using "tied for a while" if the equality is expected to be long-lasting or permanent; in those cases, simpler phrases like "tied" or "equal" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tied for a while" functions as a conjunction phrase indicating a temporary state of equality or connection. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show its use in describing competitions, financial situations, and even personal relationships where a bond is temporarily loosened.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tied for a while" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase indicating a temporary state of equality or connection. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's most frequently found in News & Media contexts and used to describe situations expected to change. When using this phrase, ensure that the temporal aspect is clear and that it aligns with the intended meaning. The alternatives include phrases like "temporarily equal" or "briefly level" depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

temporarily equal

Replaces "tied" with a synonym and omits the 'for a while' portion.

briefly level

Uses 'level' as a synonym for 'tied' and 'briefly' instead of 'for a while'.

even for some time

Replaces "tied" with "even" and "a while" with "some time."

neck and neck temporarily

Replaces "tied" with "neck and neck" to emphasize the close competition.

equalized for a duration

Expresses equality and the duration of that equality

sharing the lead temporarily

Focuses on leading position, indicating equality for a limited time.

locked in a draw for a period

Emphasizes the "draw" aspect and indicates a specific duration.

in a temporary stalemate

Highlights the "stalemate" nature of the situation.

momentarily deadlocked

Stresses the idea of being "deadlocked" and only for a short time.

temporarily inseparable

Emphasizes the inability to be separated, but only temporarily.

FAQs

How can I use "tied for a while" in a sentence?

You can use "tied for a while" to describe situations where two or more entities are temporarily equal. For example: "The two teams were "tied for a while" before one finally took the lead."

What does "tied for a while" mean?

"Tied for a while" means that two or more entities are equal or connected for a certain period of time, but this situation is not expected to last indefinitely.

What can I say instead of "tied for a while"?

You can use alternatives like "temporarily equal" or "briefly level" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "tied for a while"?

Yes, it is correct to say "tied for a while". It is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to indicate a temporary state of equality or connection.