Edit This Grammar Lesson: Is it in Tow or in Toe?
- Steve Gamel
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
We've all had that moment where there's a perfect opportunity to use a common phrase in our everyday writing, and we draw a complete blank on how to use it correctly. Take "in tow" for example. You might have seen someone write, "with his family in toe" on Facebook last week, only to remember seeing "family in tow" somewhere else.
Which is it, dang it?! Trust me ... you're not alone. There are a ton of common phrases we use all the time in conversation. But they never quite look right on paper.
This is one of them, and I'm here to clear up any lingering confusion.
In Tow vs. In Toe: This Is Important Stuff!
You'll see "in tow" and the incorrect "in toe" used so haphazardly in written text to describe someone accompanying or following behind another person that it can be difficult to know which is correct. I won't waste any more of your time ...
The correct one is "in tow."
Think of a boat, a car, or a truck pulling something along. It's literally being towed, so if you or someone is "in tow," you (or they) are following along or being carried along. When you think of it like this, "in toe" doesn't make any sense at all, now does it? It is essentially reduced to a misspelling of the common phrase, "in tow."
With his team in tow, he entered the building.
She walked into the store with her kids in tow.
They went to the park with their dog in tow.
Simple once you see it, right? Hopefully now, you will never unsee it.
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It's fun to tease friends for grammar mistakes or point out other errors in written copy. But any spelling or grammar error in business writing—brochures, website copy, blog posts, press releases, newsletters, and more—can wreak havoc on your company's image.
Studies show that when choosing between two companies, customers prefer the one with clear and error-free written communication.
We hope you enjoyed today's blog. If you want Edit This® to handle your company's content writing and editing needs, call us today! We can write copy from scratch or refine existing written content. Everyone could use an extra set of eyes when it comes to grammar.
STEVE GAMEL is the President & Owner of Edit This®, a writing and editing services company in Denton, TX. He is also the author of Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion For The Written Word. Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice.
