Tide vs tied

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Grammarist

Tide and tied are two words that are pronounced in the same manner, but are spelled differently and have different meanings. Tide and tide are homophones. We will examine the difference between the definitions of tide and tied, where these two words came from and some examples of their use in sentences.

A tide is the phenomenon of the rise and fall of the sea, the fluctuation of water levels over the lunar day. A tide is a a large swell or wave. Sea level rises and falls with the gravitational pull of the sun and moon. A strong gravitational pull causes high tide, a low gravitational pull results in a low tide. The ocean is pulled into a bulge on the side nearest to the moon, as well as on the side opposite of the moon. Sometimes the sun and the moon align, causing the strongest tides known as spring tides. A spring tide occurs after the new moon or the full moon. When the sun and moon are not in alignment, the tide is called a neap tide. Neap tides occur after the first and third quarters of the moon. Tide times for a certain area may be found on tide charts. Tide predictions are made based on the position of the moon and sun, though a storm may affect the tide and surf in a particular area. It is important to know when high tides will occur along coastal areas. The Bay of Fundy in Canada has the highest tides in the world. More than 160 billion tons of water flow in and out of the bay every day. High tide at the seashore is a good time to sail or kayak, or to go dock fishing. Low tide at the seashore is a good time to beachcomb or go surf fishing. The word tide may also be used to mean a strong surge of something, such as a swelling of emotion or an onslaught of events. The word tide is derived from the Old English word tid meaning a fixed time. The plural form is tides, the adjective form is tidal.

Tied is the past tense of the verb tie, which means to fasten or bind something with a rope, cord, ribbon or other similar item. When  someone is securely tied or tied up it may be in order to restrain them. Most often tied refers to making sure something is fastened such as an apron or the shoelace of one’s shoe. In this case a bow or other knot is tied. Tied may also refer to a contest, game or sporting event in which the competitors each have the same score. There is no winner, and there is no loser. Tied is sometimes used to mean that two or more things are linked or related. Tied is used as an adjective and a verb, related words are tie, ties, tying. The word tie is derived from the Old English words tigan and tiegan, which mean to join or bind.

Examples

Although red tide concentration in Collier County has been at natural background levels, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the concentration in northern Collier County increased over the past week.   (The Naples Daily News)

The more rain it dumps on the coast, the worse the storm surges will be, which could be especially catastrophic at high tides. (The Island Packet)

“The only way to stem the tide of Russian corruption is for Congress to pass the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act, which will give the Department of Justice the necessary tools to put those engaged in doping fraud behind bars, where they belong.” (Reuters)

Nearly half of the nation’s physicians report compensation tied to “value-based metrics” as fee-for-service medicine gives way to alternative payment models that link pay to quality and health outcomes, according to a new survey. (Forbes)

Properly tied knots are necessary for successful fly fishing, I said, just as they are for matrimony. (The Morning Sun)

With three minutes left and the score tied, the Columbia River striker found the back of the net to lift the Chieftains to a 3-2 win over R.A. Long on Thursday night. (The Columbian)