I stuck around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I stuck around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone remained in a place or situation longer than expected or necessary. Example: "Even when things got tough, I stuck around to support my friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Veni, Vidi, Velcro: "I came, I saw, I stuck around.

The New York Times - Books

That night, I stuck around the bookstore listening to Wicklund.

The New Yorker

"If I stuck around, I'd probably be a bench coach or a first-base coach.

The New York Times - Sports

"In the end I felt like I had won because I stuck around longer than Bobby did.

The New York Times - Sports

"That is why I stuck around; I couldn't believe it," he said.

The New York Times

I stuck around school for a couple of more years but never graduated.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Midday, shopping I stick around Paddington and do a final bit of shopping.

The Guardian - Travel

Why did I stick around waiting for my hostile boss to send me packing?

Forbes

I don't really walk out of movies - usually I stick around because I'm always interested to see where it goes.

BBC

So I stick around.

Huffington Post

I stick around for that triumph.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I stuck around" to convey a sense of casual persistence or continued presence in a particular place or situation. It often suggests a reason for staying that is not immediately obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "I stuck around" when a more formal or neutral term like "I remained" is more appropriate, especially in professional or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I stuck around" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the subject's action of remaining in a certain place or situation. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Vice

6%

TechCrunch

4%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I stuck around" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the act of remaining in a particular place or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While acceptable in many situations, it is advisable to consider a more formal alternative like "I remained" in professional or academic writing. Ludwig's examples also highlight the importance of understanding the subtle connotations of persistence and conscious choice that the phrase often carries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I stayed on

Emphasizes continuation, useful in situations involving prolonged presence.

I remained

Focuses on the simple act of staying, lacking the implication of persistence.

I hung around

More informal, implies a lack of specific purpose while staying.

I lingered

Suggests a more casual and perhaps hesitant way of staying.

I waited

Highlights the act of remaining in anticipation of something.

I tarried

A somewhat archaic term for lingering, implying a leisurely pace.

I abided

Formal and implies acceptance or tolerance of the situation while staying.

I kept at it

Shifts the focus to continuing effort rather than physical presence.

I persevered

Strongly emphasizes determination and resilience while remaining.

I held my ground

Implies resistance to pressure to leave, rather than a simple decision to stay.

FAQs

How can I use "I stuck around" in a sentence?

You can use "I stuck around" to indicate that you remained in a place or situation, often suggesting a reason beyond simple presence. For example, "I stuck around after the meeting to ask more questions".

What's a more formal alternative to "I stuck around"?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider using "I remained" or "I stayed". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

What does it imply when someone says "I stuck around"?

Saying "I stuck around" often implies that staying was a conscious decision, possibly involving some level of effort or commitment. It suggests more than just a passive presence.

Is there a difference between "I stayed around" and "I stuck around"?

While similar, "I stuck around" often suggests a more deliberate or perhaps surprising decision to stay, whereas "I stayed around" is a more neutral statement of fact.