a cast of around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cast of around" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to describe an approximate number of actors in a production, but it lacks clarity and specificity. Example: "The play featured a cast of around twenty actors, each bringing their unique talents to the stage."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Created by Kate Bond and Morgan Lloyd, and featuring a cast of around 200, "Bum Bum" forces its paying participants to do things likely to go against the grain of folks whose theatergoing has been limited to the West End: saying its title, for starters (an utterance that defies dignity), and — far more daunting — becoming the unconditional center of attention.

The New York Times

It includes a two-part archival installation concerning his epic film, "Battle of Orgreave (An Injury to One is an Injury to All)" of 2004, a gripping restaging of a violent 1984 confrontation between thousands of picketing Yorkshire miners and armed police officers, albeit with a cast of around 800.

The New York Times - Arts

Jason Moore ("Avenue Q") is to direct, with musical direction by Stephen Oremus ("Wicked") and a cast of around 30. "We always loved the project and we realized that no one was holding the rights and pursuing it actively," said David J. Foster, one of the producers of the Carnegie concert.

The New York Times

They entered the stadium after the live show, which had a cast of around 2,000.

BBC

The spectacular finale, described as a "festival of flame", featured rock band Coldplay and a cast of around 1,200.

BBC

It was shot over five days at a California film studio in August last year, with a cast of around 50, together with a large production crew.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

And on a recent evening more than 200 people followed a cast of about a dozen actors around Central Park just inside the 103rd Street entrance as the New York Classical Theater presented its roving production of "Twelfth Night".

The New York Times

When it comes to doping, athletes seldom act alone: Lance Armstrong employed a cast of characters around the world in a "sophisticated, professionalized" doping program, and Alex Rodriguez engaged his cousin and the quirky personae of South Florida's "anti-aging" scene.

The New Yorker

Theranos is a story of the snowball effect blown up to an avalanche: a retired and successful venture capitalist seeds the company, leading to other investors to see that name and invest, and onwards and upwards for more than a decade, eventually collecting a cast of characters around the table that includes James Mattis, the current Secretary of Defense, and Henry Kissinger.

TechCrunch

A dramatic sequence following a cast of characters revolving around "Becky", and their various sketchy jobs and aspirations, the album is as ambitious as the individuals it profiles – but while they seem locked into a downward spiral, the record itself is pretty successful.

The Guardian - Music

Jenkins spent several minutes with a knee on the ground and his head down while a cast of new Giants stood around him.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and precision, replace "a cast of around" with more accurate alternatives such as "a cast of approximately" or "a cast of about". This ensures better communication and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using imprecise language like "a cast of around" when specific numbers or estimates are available. Providing a more concrete range or figure enhances the credibility and clarity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cast of around" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, typically indicating an approximate number of performers. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this construction is considered grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a cast of around" appears in various contexts, primarily in news and media, it is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that more precise alternatives such as "a cast of approximately" or "a cast of about" are recommended for clearer and more accurate communication. Although common, particularly in less formal registers, opting for these alternatives enhances the overall quality and credibility of writing. Therefore, when precision is key, substituting the phrase with a more accurate alternative is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately a cast of

Replaces "around" with "approximately" for a more formal and precise approximation.

a cast of about

Substitutes "around" with "about", providing a simpler and more common way to indicate an estimate.

a cast of roughly

Uses "roughly" instead of "around" to suggest an approximate number, implying some uncertainty.

a cast of nearly

Replaces "around" with "nearly", indicating that the actual number is close to a specified value.

a cast of close to

Employs "close to" instead of "around" to emphasize that the number is in the vicinity of a given figure.

a cast numbering approximately

Changes the structure to use "numbering" to specify an estimated quantity, providing a more formal tone.

a cast in the neighborhood of

Uses a more descriptive phrase, "in the neighborhood of", to suggest an approximate quantity.

a cast in the vicinity of

Similar to "in the neighborhood of", this phrase offers a more formal way to indicate approximation.

a cast of something like

Adds a colloquial tone with "something like", making the approximation less precise.

a cast estimated at

Uses "estimated at" to highlight that the number is an approximate calculation.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a cast of around"?

You can use alternatives like "a cast of approximately", "a cast of about", or "a cast of roughly" depending on the context.

Is "a cast of around" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "a cast of around" is considered grammatically imprecise. Using "approximately" or "about" is preferable for clearer communication.

How can I use "a cast of approximately" in a sentence?

Example: "The production featured a cast of approximately 200 actors, each contributing to the grand spectacle."

What's the difference between "a cast of around" and "a cast of about"?

Both phrases indicate an approximation, but "a cast of about" is generally considered more straightforward and grammatically sound than "a cast of around".