are in circulation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are in circulation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe items, such as currency or information, that are currently being distributed or available for use. Example: "The new banknotes are in circulation and can be found at various ATMs across the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Various ideas are in circulation.

The Economist

The White House says 972 hard passes are in circulation.

The New York Times

Large numbers of weapons are in circulation in Kyrgyzstan.

The Economist

If homemade copies of "The Sopranos" are in circulation, that doesn't seem to trouble HBO.

The New York Times - Arts

Even so, perhaps half a million copies of them are in circulation there.

The New Yorker

More than 30 billion rupee notes are in circulation, a total growing by 11% a year.

The Economist

Three billion notes are in circulation, with a face value of about £58 billion ($92 billion).

The Economist

Some 2.1m vouchers, worth around $7,000 a year each, are in circulation.

The Economist

It's hard to track exactly how many zines are in circulation at any time.

The New York Times

Songs, poems and posters alluding to the son are in circulation, they say.

The New York Times

The tweets were taken down on Thursday afternoon, but screen shots are in circulation on the internet.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the quantity of items using the phrase "are in circulation", be as specific as possible. For example, instead of saying "many counterfeit coins are in circulation", provide an estimate: "around £45m worth of counterfeit coins are in circulation".

Common error

Ensure it's clear what the subject of the phrase is. Instead of simply stating "they are in circulation", specify what "they" refers to, such as "new regulations are in circulation" or "rumors are in circulation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are in circulation" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating that certain items, information, or ideas are currently being distributed or available for use within a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are in circulation" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to denote that something is currently being distributed or available. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing items like currency, information, or ideas. The phrase sees frequent usage in news and media contexts, with neutral formality, and aims to inform about the current state of distribution or availability, often implying an active movement. While many alternative phrases exist, such as "are being distributed" or "are currently available", the choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. The guidance emphasizes the importance of specificity and clarity in using the phrase, and its prevalence is well-documented across authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being distributed

Focuses on the action of distributing rather than the state of being available.

are currently available

Emphasizes present availability, suitable for items that are accessible now.

are presently circulating

Highlights the ongoing process of circulation.

are now accessible

Highlights that the items can be accessed or obtained

are actively used

Focuses on active usage rather than mere existence or availability.

are widely spread

Emphasizes the extent of distribution.

are commonly found

Indicates frequent presence or occurrence.

are in common use

Focuses on the prevalence of use within a particular context.

are on the market

Applicable to goods or products that are commercially available.

are publicly available

Emphasizes the open and unrestricted accessibility.

FAQs

How can I use "are in circulation" in a sentence?

The phrase "are in circulation" indicates that something is currently being distributed or used. For example: "New guidelines "are in circulation" to address the recent changes".

What's the difference between "are in circulation" and "are available"?

"Are in circulation" suggests a process of distribution or widespread use, often implying movement or accessibility across a network. "Are available" simply indicates that something can be obtained or accessed, without necessarily implying distribution. For example, "The updated brochure "are available" at the front desk" versus "The leaflets "are in circulation" across the city".

Which is more appropriate, "are in circulation" or "are being distributed"?

Both phrases are similar, but "are in circulation" implies an ongoing state of being distributed and used, while "are being distributed" focuses on the action of distributing. Choose based on whether you want to emphasize the current state or the action. For example, "The updated rules "are in circulation"" or "Pamphlets "are being distributed" to promote the event".

What are some alternatives to "are in circulation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "are being distributed", "are currently available", or "are widely spread". The best choice depends on whether you wish to emphasize the process, availability, or extent of distribution.