around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate proximity, approximate location, or to suggest a general area or time frame. Example: "We can meet around 3 PM if that works for you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Amy dropped what she was doing, went black in the eyes for a second and wheeled around on him.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

What goes around, comes around.

The New York Times - Sports

"I couldn't get my head around why someone would go to the effort of looking someone up, and then sending them a nasty tweet.

The Guardian - Tech

If you would like fellow readers and Linda Blair to answer a dilemma of yours, send us an outline of the situation of around 250 words.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the days that I followed Jones around, I heard several people who ran training programs in green professions complain that once their students had graduated they couldn't find work.

The Economist

Certain I was walking away from footwear nirvana, I turned around and made to leave.

The Guardian - Travel

This stall has been around for over 100 years and I've been here for 44 years.

The Guardian - Travel

But they don't hang around behind the barricades at the show waiting for a glimpse.

The Guardian

I wouldn't dismiss the psychological and political impact of Ian Paisley being, in his terms, kicked around for 40 years by the establishment and then seeing an opportunity to be the establishment and being unable to resist it".

The Guardian

This outcome would mean a payment of around £0.8bn.

The Guardian - Business

"I wake up around 4am and if I've got a bus pass I get on the night bus and sleep there until morning.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "around" to mean surrounding, ensure that the context clearly defines what is being encircled.

Common error

Avoid using "around" when precision is crucial. For exact figures or times, use precise numbers rather than approximations.

Linguistic Context

The word "around" functions primarily as a preposition and an adverb. As a preposition, it indicates location or encirclement (e.g., "around the statue"). As an adverb, it can denote movement, approximation, or existence (e.g., "going around", "around 250 words", "still around"). As Ludwig AI shows, its versatility allows for varied sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

15%

Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Lifestyle

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "around" is a versatile term functioning as both a preposition and an adverb, indicating proximity, approximation, or movement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts. While highly common, it's essential to use "around" appropriately, avoiding it when precision is needed. Alternatives like "approximately" or "nearby" can offer more specific meanings, depending on the situation. Its prevalence in reputable news sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its acceptability in formal and informal writing alike.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately

Indicates a close but not exact value or time.

about

Suggests a general area, time, or quantity.

in the vicinity of

Specifies a nearby location.

nearby

Denotes close proximity.

surrounding

Indicates the area encompassing something.

close to

Expresses nearness in terms of distance or time.

in the area of

Specifies a general location.

on all sides of

Highlights encirclement or enclosure.

something like

Introduces an approximation or resemblance.

in a circle around

Implies a circular arrangement or distribution.

FAQs

How can I use "around" in a sentence?

"Around" can indicate proximity, as in "The park is around the corner", or approximation, as in "It costs around 10 dollars".

What is a good alternative to "around" when estimating a number?

You can use alternatives like "approximately", "about", or "roughly" to estimate a number.

Which is correct, "around 5 PM" or "at 5 PM"?

"Around 5 PM" suggests an approximate time, while "at 5 PM" indicates a specific time. Choose based on the level of precision needed.

What's the difference between "around" and "surrounding"?

"Around" often indicates general proximity, while "surrounding" specifies that something is encircling something else. For example, "people gathered around the table" versus "the forest surrounding the village".