abound

USAGE SUMMARY

'abound' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'abound' when referring to an abundance of something. For example, "The garden was filled with flowers that abounded in all colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We follow him to the strange, perpetually dark city of Unthank, a bleak dystopia where strange diseases abound and hospitals filter their patients between those they cure and those they send off to provide fuel and power.

The Guardian - Books

Culture-clash opportunities abound, and Pride lays on plenty of broad, saucy humour: old Welsh ladies visiting Soho leather bars and laughing at dildos; miners frowning into their pints down the village hall while Dominic West camps it up on the dancefloor.

The Guardian - Film

Plaudits abound for David Letterman after Wednesday's farewell edition of the Late Show capped a remarkable 33-year run on late-night television.

The Guardian - Sport

Viet Cong: Viet Cong Guitar squalls and pounding drums abound on this debut full-length release from the Canadian post-punk band.

The Guardian - Music

Nice touches abound in this place – there's a "pay it forward" scheme where you can contribute money toward a meal for a disadvantaged person.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At the sidelines of WEF Cape Town, GrowAfrica particularly focuses on how to capitalise on the opportunities that abound in Africa's agriculture sector.

The Guardian

Many advocates see access to abortion as a fundamental component of women's healthcare, but the decision to end a pregnancy remains a highly stigmatized one and misconceptions abound as to who seeks an abortion and why – even 42 years after the Supreme Court decision in Roe v Wade affirmed a woman's right to choose.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I have been told a hundred times how we climbed the steep slope to the Norman keep of Peveril Castle, marvelled at the stalactites that hung from the roof of Speedwell cavern (explored by boat on the subterranean lake) and - with the extravagance of desperation - paid two shillings and sixpence for scones and jam in one of the tea-rooms which still abound in Derbyshire's Peak District.

The Guardian - Travel

Concerns abound that under the free school programme schools are not being established where they are needed.

The Guardian

They get the feel-good factor of one night spent raising money for Africa but what difference does this make?" Examples abound.

The Guardian

Boutique hotels abound, and one of the best has just had a revamp.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abound" to describe situations where something exists in great quantity or is readily available. For example, "Opportunities abound in the tech industry."

Common error

Avoid using "abound" as a noun. It is a verb, so ensure it is used to describe an action of plentiful existence, not as a thing itself. For example, avoid saying "The abound of resources," and instead say "Resources abound."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "abound" is as an intransitive verb, indicating that something exists in large quantities or numbers. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct. For instance, "Opportunities abound," where it describes the plentiful existence of opportunities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abound" is a versatile verb used to indicate that something exists in large quantities. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and appropriate across various contexts. It is commonly found in news and media, formal business documents, and scientific writing. The word emphasizes plentifulness and is generally neutral to formal in register. Remember to use it as a verb, not a noun, to avoid grammatical errors, and consider alternatives like "be plentiful" or "be abundant" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be abundant

Highlights the rich and overflowing presence of something.

be plentiful

Focuses on the sufficiency and availability of something in large quantities.

exist in plenty

Emphasizes the existence of something in a substantial amount.

be teeming with

Suggests a lively and active abundance, often associated with living things.

be rich in

Implies that something contains a large quantity of a particular element or quality.

flourish

Indicates vigorous growth and proliferation.

be saturated with

Highlights a state of being completely filled or permeated with something.

grow profusely

Describes rapid and unrestrained growth.

be widespread

Indicates that something is common and distributed over a large area or group.

prevail

Suggests that something is dominant or widespread in a particular context.

FAQs

How can I use "abound" in a sentence?

Use "abound" to indicate that something exists in large quantities or is plentiful. For example, "Misconceptions "abound" regarding the effects of climate change."

What are some synonyms for "abound"?

Synonyms for "abound" include "be plentiful", "be abundant", and "teem with". Each carries a slightly different nuance but conveys the idea of plentiful existence.

Is it correct to say "abounds with" instead of "abound"?

While "abound" can stand alone, it's also correct to say "abounds with" to emphasize what is plentiful. For example, "The forest "abounds with" wildlife."

What is the difference between "abound" and "abundant"?

"Abound" is a verb that means to exist in large numbers or amounts, while "abundant" is an adjective that describes something that exists in large quantities. For example, "Resources "abound"," and "The region has "abundant" resources."