tow cable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tow cable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a cable or rope used to pull or tow an object, typically in contexts involving vehicles, boats, or aircraft. Example: "The rescue team used a tow cable to pull the stranded vehicle out of the ditch."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"The towfish collided with a mud volcano which rises 2,200 metres from the seafloor resulting in the vehicle's tow cable breaking.

Independent

A boat that capsized after turning into a tugboat's tow cable, killing two passengers on Saturday night, had apparently ignored the tugboat's warning blasts from its horn and its light shining on the cable, the Coast Guard said yesterday.

The New York Times

For a 180° turn and ship-turning radius less than the length of the tow cable, the vehicle never reached the steady-state turning depth.

Ocean Engineering

The towed, bottom tending camera sled features a GigE Vision™ camera with a 1360 × 1024 pixel sensor that streams 16 MB/s of image data to the tow vessel over commercial off-the-shelf Gigabit Ethernet hardware and an armored fiber optic tow cable.

Fisheries Research

The destroyer attempted to tow Hyperion, but the tow cable broke twice and was ordered to sink her after Ilex took off the crew.

Wikipedia

The array was tethered to the vessel by a single umbilical consisting of a c.17 mm diameter reinforced tow cable rated for 140 kg load, and incorporating 22 cores for power to the camera, lights and CTD, and to return the video and CTD data signals to the surface.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The first tow cables snapped under the strain and the second attempt was aborted for fear of injury to the crews if they snapped again.

Wikipedia

They had done 20 when the towing cable came loose from the cart that carries the fuel.

The New York Times

As Adrian releases the towing cable, the engine noise of the 'tug' fades and the buffeting from its propellers stops.

The Guardian - Travel

In Paris, Jimmy Vicaut, the rising French sprinter, is using a machine with a towing cable that attaches to his waist and pulls him down the track during training.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Pandolfi, a stocky 50-year-old whose handshake seems as strong as a towing cable, relishes the role of rescuer.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about towing equipment, specify the type of "tow cable" to provide more context. For example, mention if it's a steel "tow cable", a fiber optic "tow cable", or a reinforced "tow cable".

Common error

Avoid using "tow cable" as a catch-all term. Different towing applications require specific cable strengths and materials. Be precise about the cable's characteristics to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tow cable" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific type of cable used for towing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tow cable" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to refer to a cable specifically designed for towing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. While its usage is not extremely frequent, it appears across various contexts, especially in scientific, news, and general discussions. Precise usage, such as specifying the "tow cable's" material or function, enhances clarity. Related terms include "towing cable" and "tow rope", each with slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

towing cable

Reverses the word order but maintains the same meaning.

tow rope

Substitutes "cable" with "rope", indicating a potentially less heavy-duty towing component.

towing line

Replaces "cable" with "line", a more general term for a rope or cord used for towing.

winch cable

Specifies that the cable is part of a winch system used for towing.

umbilical cable

Suggests a cable containing multiple lines for power and data transmission, often used in underwater towing.

mooring cable

Refers to a cable used for securing or mooring a vessel, rather than specifically for towing.

drag cable

Emphasizes the cable's role in creating drag, often in underwater or aerial applications.

cable tow system

Refers to the entire system that uses a cable for towing, not just the cable itself.

tether cable

Highlights the cable's function as a tether, restricting movement but not necessarily for towing.

tow harness

Emphasizes the connection component where the cable attached to the object being towed.

FAQs

What does "tow cable" mean?

A "tow cable" is a strong cable or rope used to pull or drag a vehicle, boat, or other object, typically when it is disabled or needs to be moved from one location to another.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "tow cable"?

Alternatives to "tow cable" include "towing cable", "tow rope", or "towing line", depending on the specific context and the type of cable being used.

When is it appropriate to use the term "tow cable" in writing?

The term "tow cable" is appropriate in technical writing, news reports, or general discussions related to towing operations, vehicle recovery, marine activities, and other scenarios where a cable is used for pulling or dragging objects.

Is there a difference between a "tow cable" and a "winch cable"?

Yes, while both are used for pulling, a "tow cable" is generally used to connect two vehicles for towing, whereas a "winch cable" is part of a winch system used to pull an object towards the winch.