ambling

USAGE SUMMARY

"ambling" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a leisurely or relaxed walk. Example: "They spent the afternoon ambling through the park." Alternative expressions include "strolling" and "wandering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He asked Belmondo and Seberg to come for a quick walk down a quieter stretch of the avenue away from the crowds, getting his famous shot of them ambling along chatting.

The Guardian - Arts

With order of a sort restored and the Germans ambling into the penalty area for the as yet untaken free-kick, Völler appeared to explain to his strike partner Klinsmann that he had been spat at, then took up his position.

The Guardian - Sport

If the run-out was bizarre, Anderson ambling in to the crease either oblivious to the ball coming to his end or believing it had cleared the bowler by the stumps, then it left Root unbeaten which was only right.

The Guardian - Sport

Among the piles of unwashed plates, papers and pill packets and, somewhere, a large pork pie which they had put down and never seen again would be a Jane Austen or a Barbara Pym, well-worn and ever welcome.As he read, though, his thoughts would start to wander, first ambling and then running, like a horse let out in a field.

The Economist

This is amazing if it works, but hardly as convenient as slipping a CD into your car's player, or ambling off to your local record store.

The Economist

The young, represented in his speech by a pair of students Mr Miliband met while ambling on Hampstead Heath, despair at the "black hole" dug for them by the baby boomers.

The Economist

It changes gear as sedately as a family saloon when ambling along, but driven aggressively it turns into a different beast.

The Economist

They know that ambling through the countryside on a weekend afternoon carries an intolerable opportunity cost: the time could be so much better spent on greater things, such as whitewater canoeing or off-road biking.

The Economist

Meanwhile, Weeds: How Vagabond Plants Gatecrashed Civilisation and Changed the Way We Think About Nature saw nature writer Richard Mabey bring almost 40 years' experience of ambling in the "unofficial countryside"—derelict urban spaces and abandoned scraps of land to a study of plants.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Last night he played to the gallery, making shivering gestures on the start line before ambling around the turn and picking up the pace in the home straight to make 19.66sec look like a jog.

Independent

The film begins with red curtains and Marks (Rhys Ifans) ambling on stage to regale a theatre audience with his tale – a hoary framing device, excused by the fact that Marks has latterly made a career as a raconteur.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ambling" to describe movement that is both leisurely and directionless. It's particularly effective when emphasizing a relaxed or unconcerned attitude.

Common error

Avoid using "ambling" when the context requires a sense of purpose or urgency. It's better suited for scenarios where the movement is casual and without a specific goal.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ambling" is that of a present participle or gerund, often used to describe an ongoing action or state. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing a leisurely way of moving, often without a specific destination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ambling" functions primarily as a verb describing a leisurely and unhurried movement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "strolling" or "sauntering" exist, "ambling" uniquely conveys a sense of relaxed ease and lack of specific direction. Remember to use "ambling" when the intention is to portray a casual and unhurried manner of movement, avoiding its application in situations demanding urgency or purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strolling

Implies a relaxed and unhurried walk, similar to "ambling" but perhaps with a slightly more deliberate pace.

sauntering

Suggests a carefree and unhurried walk, often with an air of nonchalance, similar to "ambling".

meandering

Emphasizes the winding and indirect nature of the walk, highlighting the lack of a fixed destination, like "ambling".

drifting

Suggests a passive and directionless movement, conveying a sense of ease and lack of purpose, similar to "ambling" in its lack of urgency.

wandering

Implies moving without a specific destination, often driven by curiosity or exploration, similar to "ambling" in its lack of focus.

rambling

Suggests a long, leisurely walk, often through the countryside, similar to "ambling" in its relaxed pace and lack of a strict schedule.

perambulating

A more formal term for walking around, suggesting a leisurely and perhaps observational stroll similar to "ambling".

taking a leisurely walk

A more explicit way of describing the action of "ambling", emphasizing the relaxed and unhurried nature of the walk.

moving unhurriedly

Focuses on the lack of haste in the movement, similar to the relaxed pace implied by "ambling".

proceeding at a snail's pace

Emphasizes the slowness of the movement, conveying a sense of extreme leisure and lack of urgency, similar to a very slow "ambling".

FAQs

How to use "ambling" in a sentence?

"Ambling" is often used to describe a relaxed or leisurely walk. For example, "They were "ambling" along the beach at sunset." It can also describe a lack of urgency.

What can I say instead of "ambling"?

You can use alternatives like "strolling", "sauntering", or "wandering" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "ambling" formal or informal?

"Ambling" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both informal and formal writing. However, more formal alternatives like "perambulating" exist for specific contexts.

What is the difference between "ambling" and "wandering"?

While both imply a lack of urgency, "ambling" suggests a more relaxed and gentle pace, whereas "wandering" emphasizes a lack of specific direction or purpose. You can be wandering quickly or slowly, but "ambling" always implies a slower, more relaxed pace.