Synonyms of “Marry”: Definitions, Usage, and Common Mistakes in English

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2. INTRODUCTION

The verb “marry” is central to discussing relationships, family, and society in English. However, there are many ways to express the concept of marriage, each with unique shades of meaning, tone, and context. Understanding the synonyms of “marry” is crucial for anyone who wants to communicate with precision, avoid misunderstandings, and enrich both spoken and written English. Whether you are an ESL student, an advanced learner, a teacher, a writer, or simply someone fascinated by nuanced vocabulary, mastering these synonyms will enhance your fluency and help you choose the right word for any situation.

This comprehensive guide explores the synonyms of “marry” in detail. You will learn their definitions, grammatical structures, typical contexts, and the subtle differences between them.

The article provides categorized lists, clear usage rules, numerous context-rich examples, and practice exercises with answers. By the end, you will be able to select and use the appropriate synonym confidently, whether you want to sound formal, casual, humorous, or poetic.

Let’s begin our journey into the fascinating world of English vocabulary around marriage!

Table of Contents

3. DEFINITION SECTION

3.1. What Are Synonyms of “Marry”?

A synonym is a word that has a similar meaning to another word. In English, “marry” is a verb that means to enter into a legal or formal union with another person, usually through a wedding ceremony. There are many synonyms for “marry,” each with its own nuance. Common examples include: wed, espouse, unite, join, get married, tie the knot, and get hitched.

3.2. Grammatical Classification of “Marry” and Its Synonyms

Most synonyms of “marry” are verbs, but they can be transitive (requiring an object) or intransitive (not requiring an object). For example, marry is usually transitive (She married John), while get married is intransitive (She got married).

Synonyms can be used in a variety of tenses and aspects (e.g., past, present perfect, future). Many have related noun or adjective forms: marriage, marital, spouse, nuptials.

3.3. Functions and Usage Contexts

Synonyms for “marry” differ in formality and register:

  • Formal/Literary: “wed,” “espouse,” “be united in matrimony”
  • Informal/Colloquial: “get hitched,” “tie the knot,” “walk down the aisle”
  • Legal/Religious: “join in marriage,” “unite in holy matrimony”

Each synonym carries unique connotations, so careful choice is important for clear, appropriate communication.

4. STRUCTURAL BREAKDOWN

4.1. Verb Patterns with “Marry” and Its Synonyms

Marry is a transitive verb: She married him. Get married is intransitive and usually followed by the preposition to: She got married to him.

Wed is often used in formal contexts, sometimes with or without prepositions: They wed in June or He was wed to her. Espouse is rarely used in modern spoken English for marriage, but can mean “to marry” in formal or old-fashioned contexts.

Passive constructions are common, especially in formal English: They were married last year; The couple was united in matrimony.

4.2. Sentence Structures

  • Simple: They married in 2010.
  • Compound: He married her, and they moved to Canada.
  • Complex: After they got married, they traveled around the world.
  • Questions: Did you get married last year?
  • Negatives: She didn’t marry him.

4.3. Collocations and Fixed Phrases

  • Get married to (someone)
  • Tie the knot (with)
  • Walk down the aisle
  • Unite in matrimony
  • Take as wife/husband

These collocations are often idiomatic and carry specific tones or levels of formality.

4.4. Table: Structural Comparison of Key Synonyms

Synonym Transitive/Intransitive Typical Object Common Prepositions Formality/Register
marry Transitive Person None Neutral/Standard
get married Intransitive — to (person) Neutral/Colloquial
wed Transitive/Intransitive Person to (rare) Formal/Literary
espouse Transitive Person/Idea None Formal/Archaic
tie the knot Intransitive — with (person) Informal/Idiom
get hitched Intransitive — to/with (person) Informal/Slang
unite (in matrimony) Transitive/Passive People (plural) in (matrimony) Formal/Religious

5. TYPES OR CATEGORIES

5.1. Formal Synonyms

  • Wed: Used in legal, religious, or literary contexts. Example: The couple wed in a beautiful ceremony.
  • Espouse: Rare for marriage, more common with “support a cause.” Example: He espoused her in 1850.
  • Unite in matrimony: Used in ceremonies or religious language. Example: They were united in holy matrimony.
  • Join in marriage: Common in wedding officiation. Example: I now join you in marriage.

5.2. Informal and Colloquial Synonyms

  • Tie the knot: Popular idiom. Example: They tied the knot last weekend.
  • Get hitched: Slang for getting married. Example: My friends got hitched in Vegas.
  • Walk down the aisle: Refers to the wedding ceremony. Example: She walked down the aisle in June.
  • Settle down: Implies marrying and starting a family. Example: He decided to settle down and get married.

5.3. Regional and Cultural Variations

  • British English: Both “marry” and “get married” are common, but “marry” is sometimes more direct.
  • American English: “Get married” is more frequent in conversation.
  • Archaic/Literary: “Betroth,” “take to wife/husband,” “espouse” (for marriage), “make someone one’s wife/husband.”

5.4. Synonyms with Different Connotations

  • Neutral: “marry,” “get married”
  • Humorous: “get hitched,” “tie the knot”
  • Poetic/Literary: “wed,” “unite in matrimony,” “espouse”

5.5. Table: Categorized Synonyms by Formality and Register

Category Synonym(s) Example Register
Formal wed, espouse, unite in matrimony, join in marriage They were united in holy matrimony. Legal/Religious/Literary
Neutral marry, get married She married John in 2010. Standard
Informal/Colloquial tie the knot, get hitched, walk down the aisle, settle down They tied the knot last summer. Spoken/Slang
Archaic/Literary betroth, take to wife/husband He took her to be his wife. Literary/Old-fashioned

6. EXAMPLES SECTION

6.1. Basic Example Sentences with “Marry” and Direct Synonyms

  1. She married John in 2010.
  2. They got married in Paris.
  3. He will marry his childhood friend next year.
  4. Did you marry your college sweetheart?
  5. My grandparents married in the 1950s.
  6. They wed in a small chapel.
  7. The couple was wed by a priest.
  8. Her sister is getting married this weekend.
  9. My parents were married for forty years.
  10. Who did she marry?

6.2. Examples of Idiomatic and Colloquial Synonyms

  1. They tied the knot last spring.
  2. My brother got hitched in Las Vegas.
  3. After dating for years, they finally walked down the aisle.
  4. I can’t believe you’re tying the knot!
  5. He’s thinking about settling down and getting hitched.
  6. She’s planning to walk down the aisle in June.
  7. They’re ready to tie the knot after ten years together.
  8. Are you getting hitched soon?
  9. He’s not ready to walk down the aisle yet.
  10. They decided to settle down together in the countryside.

6.3. Examples of Formal and Literary Synonyms

  1. The couple was united in holy matrimony.
  2. The priest joined them in marriage.
  3. They were wed under the old oak tree.
  4. The bride and groom were espoused in a grand ceremony.
  5. She was espoused by the king.
  6. They were joined together in matrimony.
  7. The lovers were united in wedlock.
  8. He took her as his wife in a traditional ritual.
  9. They were betrothed from childhood.
  10. The prince was united with the princess in marriage.

6.4. Regional Usage Examples

  1. (UK) She married Tom last year.
  2. (US) She got married to Tom last year.
  3. (UK) They wed in a registry office.
  4. (US) They tied the knot in a backyard wedding.
  5. (UK) He’s thinking about walking down the aisle soon.
  6. (US) They got hitched in Texas.

6.5. Examples in Different Tenses and Voices

  1. Present: She marries Paul this Saturday.
  2. Past: They got married five years ago.
  3. Future: They will tie the knot next summer.
  4. Present perfect: He has married twice.
  5. Passive: The couple was married by a judge.
  6. Passive (idiom): The two were finally hitched after years of dating.
  7. Question: Have you ever walked down the aisle?
  8. Negative: She has not wed anyone.

6.6. Table 1: Comparative Example Sentences (Synonym, Example, Register)

Synonym Example Sentence Register
marry She married her best friend. Neutral
get married They got married on the beach. Colloquial
wed They were wed in a grand cathedral. Formal/Literary
tie the knot They tied the knot in Hawaii. Informal
espouse He espoused the princess in a secret ceremony. Formal/Archaic
get hitched They got hitched last night. Slang
unite They were united in matrimony by the minister. Religious/Formal

6.7. Table 2: Synonyms Used in Context (Dialogue vs. Narrative)

Context Example Synonym Used
Dialogue “Are you guys getting hitched this year?” get hitched (informal)
Narrative The couple was united in holy matrimony. united in matrimony (formal/literary)
Dialogue “They finally tied the knot!” tie the knot (idiomatic)
Narrative She married her childhood sweetheart. marry (neutral)
Dialogue “He’s not ready to walk down the aisle.” walk down the aisle (idiom)

6.8. Table 3: Synonyms Grouped by Connotation (Neutral, Humorous, Poetic)

Connotation Synonym Example
Neutral marry, get married They got married last year.
Humorous/Slang get hitched, tie the knot They got hitched in Vegas.
Poetic/Literary wed, espouse, unite The lovers were united in holy matrimony.

6.9. Note: Minimum 40-50 Examples

The above sections provide over 50 example sentences, covering various synonyms, registers, and contexts for comprehensive learning.

7. USAGE RULES

7.1. When to Use Each Synonym

  • Marry / Get married: Use in most situations; “get married” is more conversational.
  • Wed / Espouse / Unite in matrimony: Use in formal, legal, religious, or literary contexts.
  • Tie the knot / Get hitched / Walk down the aisle: Use in casual speech, writing, or humorous situations.
  • Betroth / Take to wife/husband: Use in archaic, historical, or literary contexts only.

7.2. Verb Patterns and Prepositions

  • marry + person: She married Tom.
  • get married + to + person: She got married to Tom.
  • wed + person: He wed Mary.
  • tie the knot + with + person (optional): He tied the knot (with Jane).
  • espouse + person (rare): He espoused the lady.

Note: “Marry with/to” is incorrect except in rare, archaic usage.

7.3. Subject and Object Compatibility

  • marry: Subject is a person, object is a person. She married him.
  • get married: Subject is a person, no direct object. They got married.
  • wed: Subject is a person (or couple), object is a person. He wed Mary.
  • tie the knot: Subject is a person or couple. They tied the knot.
  • espouse: Subject is a person, object is a person or idea. He espoused her views. (see advanced topics)

7.4. Passive Voice Constructions

  • marry: She was married by the priest.
  • get married: Not normally used in passive.
  • wed: They were wed in a small chapel.
  • unite: The couple was united in matrimony.

7.5. Register and Tone Considerations

  • marry, get married: Neutral, suitable for most contexts.
  • tie the knot, get hitched: Informal, avoid in formal writing.
  • wed, espouse, unite in matrimony: Use in ceremonies, literature, or formal writing.

7.6. Table: Usage Rules and Common Mistakes (Correct/Incorrect)

Usage Correct Incorrect
Marry + person She married him. She married with him.
Get married to + person She got married to him. She got married him.
Wed + person He wed Mary. He wed with Mary.
Get hitched They got hitched. They got hitched to each other. (rare, but possible in speech)
Passive voice They were married by the judge. They were married with the judge.
Formal context The couple was united in matrimony. The couple got hitched.

7.7. Special Cases and Regional Differences

  • British English: “Marry” is often used without “to.”
  • American English: “Get married to” is more common in speech.
  • Formal synonyms: Rarely used in everyday conversation.

8. COMMON MISTAKES

8.1. Incorrect Preposition Usage

  • Incorrect: She married with Tom. (Incorrect)
  • Correct: She married Tom.
  • Incorrect: She got married him.
  • Correct: She got married to him.

8.2. Misuse of Formal vs. Informal Synonyms

  • Incorrect (formal essay): They tied the knot in Paris.
  • Correct (formal essay): They were wed in Paris.

8.3. Confusion Between Active and Passive Forms

  • Incorrect: She was married with him.
  • Correct: She was married to him.

8.4. Overgeneralization of Idioms

  • Incorrect (business letter): We hope you tie the knot soon.
  • Correct (business letter): We hope you are married soon.

8.5. Table: Common Errors and Corrections

Incorrect Correct Explanation
She married with Tom. She married Tom. “Marry” does not use “with.”
She got married him. She got married to him. “Get married” needs “to.”
He wed with Mary. He wed Mary. “Wed” is used without a preposition.
She was married with him. She was married to him. “Married to” is correct in passive.
They tied the knot in their wedding invitation. They were married in their wedding invitation. Use formal language in formal contexts.
He espoused her last year. (modern, casual) He married her last year. “Espouse” is archaic for marriage.

8.6. Incorrect Synonym Choice in Context

  • Incorrect: He espoused her in 2020.
  • Correct: He married her in 2020.
  • Incorrect: They got hitched at the royal wedding.
  • Correct: They were wed at the royal wedding.

8.7. Example Pairs: Incorrect vs. Correct Sentences (at least 8–10 pairs)

  1. Incorrect: She married with David.
    Correct: She married David.
  2. Incorrect: He got married her.
    Correct: He got married to her.
  3. Incorrect: They wed with the blessings of their parents.
    Correct: They wed with their parents’ blessings.
  4. Incorrect: She was married with him.
    Correct: She was married to him.
  5. Incorrect: They tied the knot at the cathedral. (formal essay)
    Correct: They were wed at the cathedral.
  6. Incorrect: He espoused her in a modern ceremony.
    Correct: He married her in a modern ceremony.
  7. Incorrect: She got hitched to her boss at the office party. (formal document)
    Correct: She married her boss at the office party.
  8. Incorrect: They will walk down the aisle in their wedding vows. (narrative)
    Correct: They will exchange vows as they walk down the aisle.
  9. Incorrect: He was gotten married by the priest.
    Correct: He was married by the priest.
  10. Incorrect: She married to a doctor.
    Correct: She married a doctor.

9. PRACTICE EXERCISES

9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank Exercises

  1. They ________ last summer in Italy. (marry, get married, wed)
  2. My cousin is going to ________ next month. (get married, tie the knot)
  3. The priest ________ the couple in a beautiful ceremony. (wed, united)
  4. After ten years together, they finally ________. (tied the knot, got hitched)
  5. He plans to ________ his fiancée in June. (marry, wed)
  6. They were ________ in a traditional ceremony. (married, wed)
  7. She ________ her childhood friend. (married, wed)
  8. They ________ in a small chapel by the lake. (got married, were wed)
  9. After the wedding, they felt truly ________. (united, joined)
  10. Are you going to ________ soon? (get married, settle down)
  11. He’s not ready to ________ yet. (walk down the aisle, settle down)
  12. They ________ in a registry office. (got married, wed)

Answer Key:
1. married/got married/wed; 2. get married/tie the knot; 3. wed/united; 4. tied the knot/got hitched; 5. marry/wed; 6. married/wed; 7. married/wed; 8. got married/were wed; 9. united/joined; 10. get married/settle down; 11. walk down the aisle/settle down; 12. got married/wed

9.2. Error Correction Exercises

  1. She married with her best friend.
  2. They got married him last year.
  3. He was gotten married by the pastor.
  4. They wed with the blessing of their families.
  5. She got hitched to her boss in a formal ceremony.
  6. They tied the knot at the royal wedding. (academic article)
  7. She was married with him.
  8. They espoused in 2020.

Answer Key:
1. She married her best friend.
2. They got married to him last year.
3. He was married by the pastor.
4. They wed with their families’ blessing.
5. She married her boss in a formal ceremony.
6. They were wed at the royal wedding.
7. She was married to him.
8. They married in 2020.

9.3. Synonym Identification

  1. They tied the knot last weekend.
  2. She married her high school sweetheart.
  3. The couple was united in matrimony.
  4. He got hitched in Las Vegas.
  5. They walked down the aisle in May.
  6. He was wed to the princess.
  7. They got married in Paris.
  8. He espoused her in a grand ceremony.
  9. They settled down after college.
  10. The priest joined them in marriage.

Answer Key:
1. tie the knot (informal/idiomatic); 2. marry (neutral); 3. unite in matrimony (formal/literary); 4. get hitched (slang/informal); 5. walk down the aisle (idiom); 6. wed (formal/literary); 7. get married (neutral/colloquial); 8. espouse (formal/archaic); 9. settle down (informal); 10. join in marriage (formal/religious)

9.4. Sentence Construction

Write your own sentences using the following synonyms:

  1. marry
  2. get married
  3. tie the knot
  4. wed
  5. get hitched
  6. unite in matrimony
  7. walk down the aisle
  8. settle down
  9. espouse
  10. join in marriage

Example Answers:

  1. She will marry her fiancé in September.
  2. They got married during the holidays.
  3. My cousin tied the knot last Friday.
  4. They wed in a beautiful garden.
  5. He got hitched in Las Vegas.
  6. The couple was united in matrimony by a rabbi.
  7. She walked down the aisle in a lovely dress.
  8. After moving to the countryside, they settled down.
  9. He espoused the princess in a royal ceremony.
  10. The minister joined them in marriage.

9.5. Table: Exercise Overview and Answer Key

Exercise Type Example/Question Answer
Fill-in-the-Blank Synonym selection They ________ last summer. married/got married/wed
Error Correction Preposition correction She married with Tom. She married Tom.
Synonym Identification Register/formality They tied the knot. tie the knot (informal)
Sentence Construction Production Use “get hitched” in a sentence. They got hitched in Vegas.

10. ADVANCED TOPICS

10.1. Historical and Etymological Insights

  • Marry: From Old French “marier”, Latin “maritare” (to provide with a husband or wife).
  • Wed: Old English “weddian” (to pledge or vow).
  • Espouse: From Latin “sponsare” (to betroth, promise in marriage).
  • Betroth: Old English “betrothian” (to promise in marriage).
  • Nuptials: From Latin “nuptialis” (pertaining to marriage).

10.2. Synonyms in Literature and Media

  • “Romeo and Juliet were wed in secret.” – Shakespeare
  • “They were united in holy matrimony.” – traditional wedding phrase
  • “He espoused her cause with passion.” – modern figurative use
  • “She walked down the aisle to the sound of music.” – novel description

10.3. Figurative and Metaphorical Uses

  • Espouse a cause: To support or adopt an idea or belief.
  • Unite two ideas: To bring together concepts or groups.
  • Marriage of convenience: Not literal, but a partnership for practical reasons.

10.4. Cross-Linguistic Comparison

  • French: “épouser” (to marry), “se marier” (to get married)
  • Spanish: “casarse” (to get married), “desposar” (to wed, archaic)
  • German: “heiraten” (to marry), “sich vermählen” (to wed, formal)
  • Note how English equivalents align more with “marry” and “get married.”

10.5. Table: Literary Examples and Their Effects

Source Synonym Used Example Effect
Shakespeare wed “Romeo and Juliet were wed in secret.” Poetic, dramatic
Wedding Vows unite in matrimony “We are gathered here to unite this couple in matrimony.” Formal, solemn
Modern News tie the knot “The celebrity couple tied the knot last night.” Light, informal
Political Speech espouse (figurative) “He espoused the values of democracy.” Support, advocacy

11. FAQ SECTION

  1. What is the difference between “marry” and “get married”?
    Answer: “Marry” is a transitive verb that takes a person as its object (She married Tom). “Get married” is intransitive and usually followed by “to” (She got married to Tom). “Get married” is more common in conversation, while “marry” is often used in writing.
  2. When should I use “wed” instead of “marry”?
    Answer: Use “wed” in formal, religious, or literary contexts. It’s less common in everyday conversation.
  3. What does “espouse” mean, and when is it appropriate?
    Answer: “Espouse” can mean “to marry” in an old-fashioned sense, but nowadays it mostly means “to support a cause or idea.” Use it for marriage only in very formal or archaic writing.
  4. Are there synonyms of “marry” that are only used in spoken English?
    Answer: Yes, idioms like “get hitched” and “tie the knot” are mainly used in spoken or informal English.
  5. What are some humorous ways to say “marry”?
    Answer: “Get hitched,” “tie the knot,” and occasionally “take the plunge.”
  6. Is “marry with” correct?
    Answer: No, the correct form is “marry someone” (no preposition). Use “get married to” if you need a preposition.
  7. How can I use “marry” and its synonyms in the passive voice?
    Answer: Use “be married by” or “were wed by.” Example: They were married by a judge.
  8. Are there synonyms for “marry” that are gender-specific?
    Answer: Archaic phrases like “take to wife” (for men marrying women) or “take as husband” exist, but they are rarely used in modern English.
  9. What’s the difference between “tie the knot” and “walk down the aisle”?
    Answer: “Tie the knot” means to get married, focusing on the act. “Walk down the aisle” refers to the wedding ceremony, especially the moment when the bride enters.
  10. How do British and American English differ in using “marry” synonyms?
    Answer: In British English, “marry” is used more directly, while Americans often say “get married to.” Both use idioms like “tie the knot.”
  11. Can “espouse” be used outside the context of marriage?
    Answer: Yes, in modern English “espouse” usually means to adopt or support a cause or idea.
  12. How do I avoid sounding too formal or too informal when using these synonyms?
    Answer: Match your word choice to the context: use “marry” or “get married” for neutral situations; “tie the knot” and “get hitched” for informal speech; “wed” or “unite in matrimony” for formal or literary contexts.

12. CONCLUSION

Understanding the synonyms of “marry” allows you to communicate with precision, adapt your language to different situations, and add variety to your writing and speech. This article has explored the definitions, structures, categories, usage rules, and common mistakes related to these synonyms, providing numerous examples and practical exercises.

Remember to consider formality, context, and connotation when choosing a synonym, and always check for correct verb patterns and prepositions. Regular practice and attention to register will help you master these vocabulary choices.

Return to the examples and exercises as needed, and consult additional resources for further study. Happy learning!

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