are shaped around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are shaped around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe how something is designed or influenced by certain factors or ideas. Example: "The policies are shaped around the needs of the community to ensure they are effective and relevant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Most racing drivers are built like jockeys and the cars are shaped around them.

The Guardian - Sport

Ensure that insights are "shaped" around the decisions that must be made.

Harvard Business Review

"His novels are shaped around invisible trapdoors, sudden gaps that constantly pull the carpet from under the reader's feet," she writes.

The New York Times - Books

But in their essence the ideas are shaped around an uncontroversial belief that greater institutional transparency is a good thing, and that technology can advance that aim in radical ways.

The New Yorker

"So my hope," he went on, "is that over the course of the next week, between the White House and Congress, the discussions are shaped around providing assistance, but making sure that that assistance is conditioned on labor, management, suppliers, lenders — all the stakeholders coming together with a plan".

The New York Times

"The tutors are really supportive of everyone in the class and workshops are shaped around the needs and requests of the participants". Lingo Flamingo is one of more than 200 social enterprises across the city supported by charity Jobs & Business Glasgow which provides employment and training opportunities.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Still, during weeks of rehearsals this production had been shaped around another Giovanni.

The New York Times - Arts

Service models and conceptual frameworks for people for whom the focus of care is on improving quality of life in the context of life-limiting conditions have been shaped around cancer experiences.

BMC Palliative Care

Smaller arches were shaped around car wheels.

The Guardian

But this was shaped around the neck.

The Guardian - Opinion

Up to now the Tory revival has been shaped around the need to renew society.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are shaped around" to indicate that something has been intentionally designed or modified to accommodate specific factors or needs. For example, "The curriculum is shaped around the needs of the students."

Common error

While "are shaped around" is grammatically correct, excessive use of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider using active voice alternatives when appropriate to create more direct and engaging sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are shaped around" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something is being influenced or formed by external factors. This highlights the object's adaptation to accommodate certain conditions or requirements, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are shaped around" is a grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to describe how something is intentionally designed or influenced by specific factors. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and applicability across various contexts. It appears most frequently in "news & media", "science", and "academic" sources. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse of the passive voice for stronger writing. Alternatives like "are designed around" or "are influenced by" can provide nuanced meaning. This phrase provides a way to describe a thoughtful plan or design shaped to fit existing conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are designed around

Focuses specifically on the design aspect, implying a deliberate arrangement.

are influenced by

Highlights the impact of certain factors, suggesting a less direct shaping process.

are structured around

Emphasizes the organizational aspect, indicating a framework or system.

revolve around

Suggests that something is central or pivotal.

are based on

Implies a foundation or starting point.

are modeled after

Indicates that something is copied or imitated from a specific source.

are formed by

Highlights the process of coming into existence under certain conditions.

are adapted to

Emphasizes the process of modification to fit certain requirements.

are customized for

Indicates a specific modification to meet individual needs.

are built upon

Suggests a gradual development, where something is added to existing elements.

FAQs

How can I use "are shaped around" in a sentence?

You can use "are shaped around" to describe how something is designed or influenced by certain factors. For example: "The policies are shaped around the needs of the community."

What can I say instead of "are shaped around"?

You can use alternatives like "are designed around", "are influenced by", or "are structured around" depending on the context.

Is "are shaped around" formal or informal?

"Are shaped around" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it appears more frequently in news and media as well as academic writing.

What's the difference between "are shaped around" and "are based on"?

"Are shaped around" suggests a more intentional design or adaptation process, while "are based on" implies a foundational relationship. For example, the architecture might be shaped around the natural landscape, and an argument might be based on historical evidence.