around a lot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around a lot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe frequent movement or presence in a particular area or situation. Example: "She is always around a lot, making it hard to find some quiet time to think."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Moved around a lot.

The New Yorker

Both get kicked around a lot.

The Economist

"Moved around a lot as a kid.

The New York Times

He seems to hang around a lot.

Independent

I was being shoved around a lot.

The New York Times

It just gets thrown around a lot.

Forbes

He rolls around a lot.

Huffington Post

"Orwellian" gets tossed around a lot.

Huffington Post

Trouble getting comfortable; rolling around a lot.

WikiHow

They moved around a lot.

The New Yorker

We kidded around a lot".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "around a lot" to describe frequency of being in a particular location, engaged in an activity, or how often something occurs. This phrase is suitable for informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "around a lot" in formal or academic writing. Instead, opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives such as "frequently", "often", or "commonly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around a lot" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate frequency, proximity, or distribution. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in describing both physical presence (e.g., "moved around a lot") and the frequency of an action or idea (e.g., "gets thrown around a lot").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "around a lot" functions as an adverbial phrase denoting frequency or commonality. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and very common. Although versatile, it is best suited for neutral to informal contexts and should be used judiciously in formal or academic writing where more precise alternatives may be preferable. While it is widely used across news and media outlets, a cautious approach is advised in highly formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all over the place

Emphasizes widespread distribution or movement.

frequently present

Focuses on consistent presence rather than movement or activity.

often nearby

Emphasizes spatial proximity on multiple occasions.

occurs frequently

Highlights the high frequency of an event's happening.

on many occasions

Highlights the repeated nature of events or actions.

commonly seen

Implies something is regularly observed or encountered.

time and again

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of events.

widely prevalent

Stresses broad distribution or common acceptance.

in abundance

Indicates a plentiful or excessive amount.

here and there

Suggests scattered distribution across an area.

FAQs

How can I use "around a lot" in a sentence?

The phrase "around a lot" can be used to describe someone who is frequently present in a particular place or involved in many activities. For example, "He hangs "around a lot" at the library", or "That word gets thrown "around a lot"".

What are some alternatives to "around a lot"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "frequently present", "often nearby", or "occurs frequently".

Is it appropriate to use "around a lot" in formal writing?

While "around a lot" is widely understood, it leans towards informal usage. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "frequently", "often", or "commonly" for a more professional tone.

What does it mean when someone says something is "thrown around a lot"?

When something is "thrown "around a lot"", it means it's being discussed or mentioned frequently, often without deep consideration. It implies the term or idea is being used casually or excessively.