Use rig when deception changes an outcome before or during a process, not for ordinary planning or legal influence.
Use rig when deception changes an outcome before or during a process, not for ordinary planning or legal influence.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The officials riged the vote. | The officials rigged the vote. |
| They rigged against the election. | They rigged the election. |
| The committee rigged the schedule fairly. | The committee arranged the schedule fairly. |
Use rig for practical setup work involving equipment, ropes, supports, wiring, or temporary fittings.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The crew riged the lights above the stage. | The crew rigged the lights above the stage. |
| We rigged a meeting for Monday. | We arranged a meeting for Monday. |
| The sailors rigged the boat by new sails. | The sailors rigged the boat with new sails. |
Use rig when the equipment works as one setup, especially in phrases such as gaming rig, drilling rig, or fishing rig.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| My gaming rig are fast. | My gaming rig is fast. |
| She bought a rig, just one screwdriver. | She bought a tool, just one screwdriver. |
| The rig drilled the patient. | The rig drilled the well. |
Use rig for the whole sailing arrangement, not for a single rope, sail, or mast by itself.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The yacht's rig are new. | The yacht's rig is new. |
| The boat's rig is its engine. | The boat's rig is its sails and masts. |
| They changed the rig by replacing one anchor. | They changed the rig by altering the sail plan. |
Use rig for heavy road vehicles in informal North American contexts, especially big rig for a tractor-trailer.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| A compact rig parked outside the cafe. | A compact car parked outside the cafe. |
| The rig are blocking two lanes. | The rig is blocking two lanes. |
| She drove a rig across the ocean. | She drove a rig across the country. |
Use rig casually for a whole outfit or getup, especially when the clothes look practical, unusual, or costume-like.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Her new rig are bright. | Her new rig is bright. |
| The invitation requires formal rig. | The invitation requires formal attire. |
| He wore a rigged to the party. | He wore a rig to the party. |
Let context decide whether rig names gear, a sailing setup, a truck, or an outfit, or whether it means to set equipment in place or fix a result dishonestly.
Riged is misspelled. The correct past form is rigged. Do not use rig for ordinary arranging unless equipment, a result, or a fitted setup is involved.
The equipment and sailing senses go back to late Middle English nautical use, probably from Scandinavian forms such as Norwegian rigga, meaning to bind or wrap up. The dishonest verb developed later from an older noun meaning a trick or swindle.
What does rig mean in an election?
To rig an election is to manipulate the voting or counting dishonestly so a chosen result is more likely.
What is a gaming rig?
A gaming rig is a computer setup built or configured for playing games, usually with strong graphics hardware.
How is rig used in sailing?
In sailing, a rig is the arrangement of masts, sails, ropes, and spars on a vessel.
Is rigged the correct past tense?
Yes. The past tense and past participle are rigged, with a doubled g.
What does big rig mean?
A big rig is a large truck, especially a tractor-trailer used for hauling freight in North American English.
Can rig mean an outfit?
Yes. Informally, a rig can be a distinctive set of clothes or a costume-like outfit.