are you around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are you around" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to inquire if someone is present or available at a particular time or place. Example: "Hey, are you around? I wanted to discuss the project with you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"What are you—around fifty-five or sixty?" the President asked.

The New Yorker

How often are you around things like that?

The New York Times

But are you around a lot of popcorn?' " Dr. Rose asked.

The New York Times

Finally, he said, 'How long are you around for?' I said to him, 'I live here.' " "Then he was really friendly," Mr. Kaneb said.

The New York Times

When I speak at events in Nigeria, I'm often asked, "For how long are you around in Nigeria?" no matter how many times I've mentioned my home in Abuja.

The New York Times

"How many times are you around someone and they're like: 'I forgot my so and so?' I'm like: 'I got mine right here.'" That's Jared Leto talking about his own bumbag, after being spotted wearing a red-and-blue one on a beach in Rio de Janeiro.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Were you around during the 1990s dotcom boom?

The Guardian - Business

Were you around for the 1968 Prague spring protests?

The Guardian - Opinion

"The doctor said: 'Were you around a lot of noise?

The New York Times - Sports

How were you around your family?

WikiHow

/when are you turning around?

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are you around" to casually inquire about someone's presence and availability in a specific location or context. It is suitable for informal communication.

Common error

Avoid using "are you around" in formal or professional settings where a more direct or specific inquiry about availability is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are you around" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase, used to inquire about someone's presence or availability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in asking if someone is present at a location or available for interaction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are you around" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to inquire about someone's presence or availability. As highlighted by Ludwig, it functions as an interrogative phrase, typically employed in informal contexts such as casual conversations or messages among friends and colleagues. While versatile, it should be used cautiously in formal or professional settings where more direct language may be more appropriate. Alternatives like "are you available" or "are you present" may suit more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are you available

Focuses more on the person's availability to do something, rather than their physical presence.

are you present

Emphasizes being in a particular location or situation.

are you nearby

Highlights physical closeness or proximity.

are you in the vicinity

A more formal way of asking if someone is close by.

do you happen to be here

More polite and indirect way to inquire about someone's presence.

can you be reached

Focuses on the ability to contact the person, not necessarily their physical location.

are you on hand

Implies readiness and availability to assist or participate.

have you arrived

Specifically asks if someone has reached a destination.

are you within reach

Indicates that someone is close enough to be contacted or accessed.

do you find yourself here

Asks if they happen to be at a particular place.

FAQs

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

You can use "are you around" to ask if someone is present or available at a specific location or time. For example, "Hey, "are you around" for a quick chat?"

What's a more formal way to ask "are you around"?

Instead of "are you around", you could ask "are you available" or "are you present" in a more formal context.

What does "are you around" imply?

"Are you around" generally implies that you're checking if someone is nearby and accessible for communication or interaction. It's less direct than asking, "are you here?"

Is "are you around" suitable for professional emails?

While "are you around" can be used internally among colleagues, it's often better to use more formal language in professional emails, such as "are you available" or "do you have time" to discuss something.