around and about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around and about" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you mean that something has happened or is happening in numerous places. For example, "Rumors of the upcoming product launch have been circulating around and about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Around and About Garda Q.

The New York Times - Travel

When they are banished within art, they re-form around and about it.

The New Yorker

Tiree, though, glories in what happens around and about its 36 miles of coastline.

The Guardian - Travel

The iPad now isn't just something to do a few functions around and about.

The Guardian - Tech

Place one cheesecake in the centre of each plate and spoon the confiture around and about.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And the light these pages throw on what has been written by and around and about Hemingway is extraordinarily various.

The New York Times - Books

He was often seen around and about in New York, at dinner parties, and at the opera, which he loved.

The Guardian - Books

But soon enough they had cobbled together an XI, Bardwell CC, and set out playing friendly games around and about.

The Guardian - Sport

He has a broad mandate to find out what's going on, and he's around and about on the Hill.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

That many otherwise competent adults don't seem to know this, either, to go by an informal around-and-about poll, doesn't mitigate the feeling that forgetting the particulars of the Forgotten War is a symptom of national decline.

The New Yorker

"I went around and around about what kind of work I was going to do".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "around and about" to convey a sense of general location or activity spanning multiple places. For example, "The news spread around and about the town."

Common error

While "around and about" is widely accepted, avoid overuse in formal writing. Opt for more precise locational phrases when appropriate, such as "in the vicinity" or "throughout the region".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around and about" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate location or scope of action. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing general areas or widespread activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "around and about" is a correct and widely used adverbial phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to indicate a general location or the widespread scope of an action. While versatile, it's important to consider context and opt for more precise language in formal settings. Remember, Ludwig's examples offer a practical guide to its usage, and exploring synonyms can enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

round about

A more concise, and slightly archaic, alternative conveying the same general area.

in the area

Refers to a general location without specifying an exact point.

in the vicinity

Indicates a location near or close to a specific place or area.

here and there

Implies scattered locations or intermittent occurrences.

all over the place

Suggests widespread distribution or activity in many locations.

in every direction

Indicates movement or presence in multiple directions from a central point.

in circulation

Suggests something is being actively distributed or discussed among people.

on the periphery

Indicates something is occurring at the edge or outer boundary of an area or topic.

in and out

Suggests intermittent movement or presence within a defined space.

throughout the region

Indicates presence or action spanning an entire geographical region.

FAQs

How can I use "around and about" in a sentence?

You can use "around and about" to indicate activity or presence in multiple locations, as in "The detective searched "in the vicinity" for clues".

What's a synonym for "around and about"?

Synonyms include phrases like "in the area", "here and there", or "all over the place", depending on the intended nuance.

Is "around and about" considered formal or informal?

"Around and about" is generally considered neutral, but might sound slightly informal in very formal writing. Opt for more precise language in those contexts.

Can I use "around and about" to describe a specific location?

While it can indicate a general area, it's better to use more specific terms when referring to a precise location. For example, instead of "The park is around and about", say "The park is "in the vicinity" of the museum".