all the way around

USAGE SUMMARY

"all the way around" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe the full extent of something, such as in the sentence: She walked all the way around the block to get to the store.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She's terrific all the way around.

The New York Times

"It's unfortunate all the way around".

The New York Times

It was cold all the way around".

The New York Times - Sports

"This is a tragedy all the way around".

The New York Times - Sports

It's win/win all the way around".

BBC

Brilliant all the way around.

Huffington Post

"It's sad all the way around.

Vice

"Just a beautiful person all the way around.

Los Angeles Times

ALL the way around.

Los Angeles Times

Repeat all the way around.

WikiHow

Pin all the way around.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all the way around" when you want to emphasize complete coverage or movement in a circular or encompassing manner. For instance, "The security guard checked the building all the way around after the alarm went off."

Common error

Avoid using "all the way around" when a simpler word like "completely" or "entirely" would suffice, especially if the circular or encompassing aspect is not relevant to the meaning you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all the way around" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the manner or extent of an action. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates completeness, either spatially (covering an entire area) or figuratively (encompassing all aspects of something).

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

46%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all the way around" is a versatile adverbial phrase primarily used to indicate completeness, either spatially or conceptually. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically sound and finds frequent application in News & Media and Wiki contexts. It carries a neutral tone suitable for diverse scenarios, although more formal writings might occasionally benefit from alternatives such as "completely" or "thoroughly". The phrase is considered grammatically correct, although is not as precise in formal writing. Its meaning can also be interpreted as a circular path.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

around the perimeter

This alternative specifies movement or arrangement along the boundary of an area.

full circle

This alternative captures the sense of returning to a starting point, emphasizing the circular aspect.

completely

This alternative indicates totality or completeness but lacks the spatial or circular connotation of the original phrase.

all over

This alternative can indicate a widespread condition or coverage, but it may lack the precision of the original phrase in certain contexts.

entirely

Similar to "completely", this focuses on the whole extent of something, without implying movement or direction.

throughout

This phrase suggests extension in time or space, focusing on continuous coverage.

in every aspect

This phrase highlights a complete consideration from all angles or perspectives, shifting the focus to scope.

in all respects

This stresses total consideration from every viewpoint.

from start to finish

This suggests a complete process, emphasizing the beginning and end rather than circularity.

all phases

This specifies completeness across stages or states, useful in process-oriented contexts, and more specific.

FAQs

How can I use "all the way around" in a sentence?

You can use "all the way around" to describe a complete action or a circular path, such as "The artist painted the border "all the way around" the canvas" or "The car drove "all the way around" the block".

What does "all the way around" mean?

"All the way around" indicates completeness, either in terms of physical circumference or in encompassing all aspects of a situation or object. It suggests a thoroughness or totality.

What are some alternatives to "all the way around"?

Alternatives to "all the way around" include "completely", "entirely", "around the perimeter", or "in every aspect", depending on the specific context.

Is "all the way around" formal or informal?

"All the way around" is generally considered neutral in register, suitable for both informal and many formal contexts. However, more formal settings might benefit from substituting it with a synonym such as "completely" or "thoroughly", if appropriate.