tight or tightly

[glori...@gmail.com]

Hi,

I would like to ask you about this sentence.

For fear of falling down, the frightened boy held on to the rope
_______ (tight, tightly).

The answer is "thightly." Can "tight" be more suitable? I've checked
Longman Dictionary, and it says that "tight" is more common when used
as an adverb. If they are different in meaning or usage, please tell
me. Thanks.

Gloria

[Adrian Bailey]

<glori...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1136420212....@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

> Hi,
>
> I would like to ask you about this sentence.
>
> For fear of falling down, the frightened boy held on to the rope
> _______ (tight, tightly).

Not a question I would allow into any exam I was setting.

> The answer is "thightly." Can "tight" be more suitable? I've checked
> Longman Dictionary, and it says that "tight" is more common when used
> as an adverb. If they are different in meaning or usage, please tell
> me. Thanks.

I think "tightly" is slightly better, but "tight" would be slightly better
if positioned after "held". Maybe.

Adrian

[Pat Durkin]

"Adrian Bailey" <da...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uw_uf.80273$PD2....@fe1.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

I think if you are drowning and your savior says, "Hold on tight, now!"
I wouldn't quibble.

"Hold me close and hold me tight,
I'm in a world tonight,
A world where angels sing."

Sung by Tony (not Bennett) something. I think the song got roughly
translated from Spanish, or something.

[Blue Hornet]

The 'proper' word is 'tightly'. But 'tight' is more colloquial and apt
to be heard in informal speech (or in the cry of a rescuer to a
child--or anyone else--holding onto a rope, for example).

Properly used, the word 'tight' is an adjective which means (among
other meanings) "fixed or fastened firmly in place", such as 'a tight
lid'; 'tight screws'; 'a tight knot'.

The word 'tightly' is the adverb form of the same word, which means "in
a tight manner; closely; nearly", such as 'fasten the lid tightly',
'tightly tied knot'.

That said, few English speakers in my experience would have any
difficulty recognizing the adjective form 'tight' in place of
'tightly'. Same as 'quick' / 'quickly', 'slow' / 'slowly' and others.

[Cole Younger]

"Blue Hornet" <horne...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1136485140.9...@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

>
> glori...@gmail.com wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I would like to ask you about this sentence.
>>
>> For fear of falling down, the frightened boy held on to the rope
>> _______ (tight, tightly).
>>
>> The answer is "thightly." Can "tight" be more suitable? I've checked
>> Longman Dictionary, and it says that "tight" is more common when used
>> as an adverb. If they are different in meaning or usage, please tell
>> me. Thanks.
>>
>> Gloria
>
>
> The 'proper' word is 'tightly'. But 'tight' is more colloquial and apt
> to be heard in informal speech (or in the cry of a rescuer to a
> child--or anyone else--holding onto a rope, for example).
>
> Properly used, the word 'tight' is an adjective which means (among
> other meanings) "fixed or fastened firmly in place", such as 'a tight
> lid'; 'tight screws'; 'a tight knot'.

"Tight" is also a perfectly good adverb, according to the
two dictionaries at hand. There is absolutely no error in
saying "hold tight." And don't let the bedbugs bitely.

[nemo]

<glori...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1136420212....@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

Descriptive:

He held on to the rope tightly.

Imperative:

Hold on tight!!