tight curve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tight curve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sharp or narrow bend in a road, track, or path, often in contexts related to driving, racing, or geometry. Example: "The driver skillfully navigated the tight curve, maintaining control of the vehicle at high speed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

We begin at the top of the bell, its tight curve.

The New York Times - Books

The other was scary, causing James to gleefully, but harmlessly, spin out on a tight curve.

The New York Times - Travel

As my wife pulled out of the tight curve and the road started sloping up, a sign told us to expect 16km more of the same.

The Guardian - Travel

On 12 May 2015, Amtrak train 188 was traveling more than twice the posted speed limit when it entered a tight curve just north of Philadelphia.

The Guardian

CHICAGO — The Bulls corkscrewed themselves around screens like a motorcyclist hugging a tight curve and made a barrage of mid-range jumpers.

The New York Times - Sports

Some blame gawking drivers, or the short, tight curve of U.S. 1 heading into town, or the lower speed limits in the historic district.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Whereas, compared with the main line railway vehicles, the urban railway vehicles meet more challenges because of the limitation of circumstance [1, 2, 3], which means that the urban railway vehicles may encounter a large number of curved tracks in daily operations, especially tight curves.

Journal of Modern Transportation

"Transitions nicely on tight curves," Ms. Jensen wrote.

The New York Times

Earthbound athletes have to contend with tight curves and centrifugal force and staggered starts.

The New York Times - Sports

The tight curves of Saltdean allude to human bodies tightened to perfection by 50 lengths.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He modeled the legs after crisscrossed bones, cantilevered the tops and concealed drawers in tight curves.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about routes or paths, specify the type of "tight curve" to enhance clarity: "tight hairpin curve", "tight S-curve", or "tight descending curve".

Common error

Avoid using "tight curve" when a general turn or bend is sufficient. Reserve it for situations where the sharpness or narrowness of the curve is a critical detail.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tight curve" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "tight" modifies the noun "curve". Ludwig provides examples where it describes a feature of roads, tracks, or paths, often in the context of navigation or engineering.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tight curve" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a bend or turn that is sharp or narrow. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various domains, including news, science, and sports. The phrase is best used when the specific characteristic of sharpness or limited space is relevant. While "tight curve" is suitable for neutral contexts, you can consider alternatives like "sharp bend" or "acute turn" depending on your audience and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sharp bend

Emphasizes the acute angle or abrupt change in direction of the curve.

acute turn

Highlights the sharpness and suddenness of the turn.

narrow curve

Focuses on the limited width or space within the curved path.

severe bend

Implies a difficult or challenging curve to navigate.

close turn

Indicates a turn with a small radius.

abrupt curve

Highlights the sudden change in direction.

constrained curve

Emphasizes the limited space or restrictions on the curve's path.

hairpin turn

Describes a very sharp U-shaped turn.

steep curve

Suggests the curve rises sharply.

difficult turn

Highlights the challenging nature of navigating the curve.

FAQs

How can I use "tight curve" in a sentence?

You can use "tight curve" to describe a sharp bend in a road, track, or path. For example: "The race car struggled to maintain speed through the tight curve."

What are some alternatives to "tight curve"?

Alternatives include "sharp bend", "acute turn", or "narrow curve", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "tight curve" most commonly used?

"Tight curve" is often used in contexts related to driving, racing, engineering, and physics to describe routes or paths. Ludwig's examples include sports, travel, and science.

Is there a difference between a "tight curve" and a "sharp curve"?

While similar, "tight curve" often implies a constraint in space or radius, whereas "sharp curve" simply emphasizes the abruptness of the turn. A tight curve might be both sharp and spatially restricted.