tightened by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tightened by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been made more secure or constrained by a particular force or action. Example: "The belt was tightened by the mechanic to ensure a proper fit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The officials urged that phosphorus limits be tightened by 25percentt.

The New York Times

The budget will be tightened by an average 1.4% of GDP in the four years to 2014.

The Economist

Yet even if shoppers are out in force, their purse strings are likely to be tightened by rising unemployment.

The Economist

In adulthood, assuming the position becomes harder, our Achilles tendons tightened by our love affair with sitting.

The New Yorker

Planning was tightened by the imposition of quotas on brownfield and greenfield development, and by a host of bureaucratic interventions.

The Guardian - Opinion

She also noted that this was the practice of her predecessors, though the law was tightened by the Obama administration.

The Guardian

After 1933 the Nazis' editorial stranglehold was tightened by the appointment of their very own watchdog in Los Angeles.

The Guardian - Books

In October of 1986, the Freedom of Information Act was further tightened by President Reagan and his Attorney General.

The New Yorker

Already, the disaster has seen regulations tightened by the mineral-rich nation's government, who in a refreshing move all politicians could learn from, took ownership of the crisis.

Independent

If the race has tightened by more than that amount, we're going to have to start to see more evidence of it in the state-by-state polls.

The New York Times

Unless belts are tightened by several notches, real interest rates are sure to rise, as will the risk premiums on many governments' debt.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tightened by", ensure the subject performing the tightening action is clearly identified to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "tightened by" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "Regulations were tightened by the committee", consider "The committee tightened regulations."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tightened by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject has been made more constricted or restrictive due to an action or agent. Ludwig shows numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe changes in regulations, policies, or physical states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tightened by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that indicates something has been made stricter or more secure due to a specific action or entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When using "tightened by", ensure the agent performing the action is clear to avoid ambiguity, and consider whether an active voice construction might be more direct. Alternative phrases like "constrained by" or "limited by" can provide subtle differences in meaning. With its widespread usage, "tightened by" is a versatile phrase suitable for various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Constrained by

Focuses on the restriction imposed, less on the action of tightening.

Restricted by

Highlights the limitation placed on something, omitting the process of tightening.

Limited by

Emphasizes boundaries and constraints, rather than the act of making something tighter.

Made stricter by

Highlights the increase in strictness or severity, but it's more verbose.

Governed by

Suggests control or regulation rather than physical tightening.

Modified by

Implies a change or adjustment, where tightening is one specific type of modification.

Made more rigid by

Focuses on increased inflexibility or firmness, which can be a consequence of tightening.

Influenced by

Indicates a broader impact, where tightening is a specific form of influence.

Controlled by

Suggests that something is under the authority or power of something else.

Affected by

Indicates a general impact, where tightening represents a specific effect.

FAQs

How can I use "tightened by" in a sentence?

Use "tightened by" to indicate that something has become more constricted or strict due to a specific action or entity. For example, "Security was tightened by the new management".

What are some alternatives to "tightened by"?

You can use alternatives like "constrained by", "restricted by", or "limited by", depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "tightened by"?

While "tightened by" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often create a more direct and concise sentence. For instance, instead of "The rules were tightened by the administration", you could say "The administration tightened the rules".

What's the difference between "tightened by" and "enforced by"?

"Tightened by" suggests a process of making something stricter or more secure, while "enforced by" indicates that a rule or regulation is being actively implemented and maintained by a specific entity.