a around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a around' is not correct and usable in written English.
If you are looking to use the word 'around' in a sentence, you might say "Wait around for me while I finish up."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Ruban is scarlet and scratchy, the stuff we bought before a costume party to tie a letter "A" around my neck.

The New Yorker

For example, using predictor A, around 75% of the correct matches are found within the 4 highest ranked hits.

Journal of Cheminformatics

For example, using predictor A, around 75% of the predicted peaks fall within 0.15 ppm of the observed peaks.

Journal of Cheminformatics

A random number of ancillary nodes is distributed in non-overlapped arbitrary areas, A, around the main nodes, according to a homogeneous Poisson point process (PPP) [32].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

A: Around warp seven, I'd say.

Huffington Post

Pictor A, around 485 million light-years away, is a double-lobed radio galaxy and a powerful source of radio waves in the Southern Celestial Hemisphere.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Thursday I was on TV! Got to Chick-fil-A around 11 because I'd been thinking about those Chick-n-Minis all night and wanted try the Deluxe Chicken Sandwich (which looked very good) before everyone else got there.

The New Yorker

With respect to microscopic images obtained with the TR filter (Fig. 8, right panel), LE-LC phase coexistence was also required for the appearance of fluorescent SP-A around liquid-condensed domains in the presence of EDTA.

Biophysical Journal

We compute the median value (alpha) of the distribution of (|mathcal {W}_{psi }[s](a, tau )|) over a length (T_a = Nt_{a}) around (t_0), which is the time position of the previously picked event.

Earth, Planets and Space

Another study found that moderate coffee consumption (around three cups a day) may possibly reduce the risk or at least delay the onset of Alzheimer's in older adults.

HuffPost

It has been a lot of work between insourcing, making decisions to do a divestiture with Veritas, and making multiple decisions on M&A around acquisitions.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a around" in formal writing; it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Instead, opt for clearer and more precise alternatives like "approximately" or "in the vicinity of."

Common error

Do not assume that frequent usage validates grammatical correctness. Although "a around" appears in various sources, it often reflects colloquial speech rather than proper written English. Always proofread and consider more standard alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a around" is typically intended to function as an approximating adverbial phrase or prepositional phrase, aiming to indicate estimation or proximity. However, Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a around" is flagged by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect, yet its occurrence is relatively common across diverse sources like Science, News & Media, and Wiki. The intended function is generally to denote approximation or proximity. Despite its prevalence, formal writing should avoid this construction, opting instead for grammatically sound alternatives such as "approximately" or "in the vicinity of". Thus, while "a around" may be understood in informal contexts, its use is discouraged in formal or professional settings due to its grammatical impropriety. Despite appearing in a number of sources, its inconsistent grammar results in a low expert rating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately

This alternative offers a formal way to indicate an estimate or close proximity, focusing on numerical approximation.

in the vicinity of

Focuses on spatial closeness, replacing the vagueness of "a around" with a more precise location-based expression.

something like

Conveys approximation, particularly when specifying quantities or characteristics.

in that area

Emphasizes a specific location, offering a substitute when "a around" refers to a place.

in relation to

Indicates a connection or point of reference, changing the focus from mere proximity to relationship.

in the neighborhood of

Denotes spatial proximity, often referring to quantities and amounts.

give or take

Emphasizes a small deviation from a stated value or condition.

relatively close to

Emphasizes proximity, especially concerning physical distance.

on the order of

Expresses an approximate scale or magnitude, which is beneficial in technical or scientific contexts.

in that context

Redirects the meaning toward situational or contextual relevance rather than physical proximity or estimation.

FAQs

How can I appropriately use "around" to indicate approximation?

To properly indicate approximation, use "around" with a quantity or time, such as "around 3 o'clock" or "around 20 people". Avoid the construction "a around", as it is grammatically incorrect.

What are some alternatives to the incorrect phrase "a around" for indicating proximity?

Instead of using the phrase "a around", consider alternatives such as "approximately", "in the vicinity of", or "something like" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "a around" ever considered grammatically correct in certain dialects or contexts?

While "a around" may appear in some regional dialects or informal speech, it is generally not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. It's best to use more formal alternatives in professional or academic writing.

How does the phrase "a around" differ from using "around" alone in a sentence?

The addition of "a" before "around" doesn't typically add meaning and is often grammatically incorrect. Using "around" by itself, as in "He was standing around," is grammatically sound and conveys a clear meaning, unlike "a around".